Henry Hill Visitor Center
OPERATING HOURS
- Daily from 8:30 AM to 5 PM
- Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to visit the official Manassas National Battlefield Park’s Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the latest schedule.
AMENITES
- Ranger-staffed information desk where you can pick up brochures about the park
- First Manassas Museum
- Large book and souvenir store
- Meeting place for battlefield talks and tours
- Purchase the Second Manassas Field Guide, a CD audio tour of the battlefield
- Movie theater
- Restrooms
PARK FILM
Manassas: End of Innocence is a 45-minute film that covers both the First and Second Battles of Manassas. This is a live-action documentary with real actors. While this makes the film entertaining to a modern audience, a cutaway to a battle map every now and then to show the physical location of where the fighting took place would have been most welcome. For a better understanding of the battle strategies, don’t miss the light-animated battle map presentation in the museum.
There are battle scenes in the film, so I do not recommend it for small children. I’d rate the film a strong PG due to a good amount of blood. In one scene a doctor hacks off some guy’s leg at the hospital, and in other scenes soldiers fall down dead with blood on them. Recommended for kids ten and older.
The film shows at the top of each hour starting at 9 AM in the Visitor Center movie theater. And by “movie theater” I mean “movie theater”—surround sound, tiered theater seats, the works.
FIRST MANASSAS MUSEUM
The museum at the Henry Hill Visitor Center focuses exclusively on the First Battle of Manassas (a Second Manassas museum is located at the Brawner Farm Interpretive Center). It is one of the best National Park museums as far as presentation goes, though it is a little too dark inside for my taste.
The museum ties in well with the film, so see it first. You’ll become familiar with a few of the real people who fought in the battle by watching the film, then come to the museum and see some of their belongings. Featured prominently in the film are Captain James Ricketts, the Union artillery commander in charge of the battery at the top of Henry Hill, and Judith Henry, the only civilian killed during the fighting. Ricketts’ sword is on display, as are Henry’s bible, fan, and purse. Without seeing the film first, both people are nothing more than names, and there belongings are nothing more than exhibits in a museum. After watching the film you feel as if you know the people who these items belonged to.
Personal belongings of Judith Henry
Sword of Captain James Ricketts
There are also plenty of artifacts not related to individuals, but that still tie into the film. For example, having witnessed the film’s amputation scene, a collection of Civil War-era surgical tools is now more relevant.
Collection of Civil War-era surgical tools
The museum is packed with actual artifacts such as guns, swords, and cannonballs, and I really like the way they are displayed. The cases in which everything is held are dimly lit, as is common in a museum, but you don’t have to read an equally dim placard to learn about the artifacts. At the base of the case is an easy-to-read backlit panel with information about each item.
Backlit panel provides information about the artifacts on display
Civil War-era pistols
The highlight of the museum is one of the most elaborate light-animated battle maps that I have ever seen. There is a narration, sound effects, and even seating. It’s almost like watching a movie. The presentation is six minutes long and shows on demand with the push of a button. This is not to be missed if you want to understand the First Battle of Manassas. In fact, it is hands down the most important feature of the entire Visitor Center. You can watch the film, but it’s just not the same as physically seeing on a map where the fighting took place and having the strategies laid out before you. The presentation provides the information that the film was lacking.
Light-animated battle map
SCHEDULING YOUR TIME
You can get through the museum rather quickly because there is not all that much to read. There are maybe a half dozen full-fledged information panels, but the rest of the exhibits are artifacts and panels of quotes from men who fought at First Manassas. I was able to read all of the information and watch the battle map presentation in about a half hour. Of course you don’t want to miss the film, which takes up another forty-five minutes. Factor in fifteen minutes to talk with a Ranger about what there is to see and do at the park and you’ve spent around 1.5 hours at the Henry Hill Visitor Center.
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on July 10, 2020
