Liberia House Civil War-Era Graffiti Nominated to Endangered Artifacts List

Civil War-era graffiti on the walls of the historic 1825 Liberia House in Manassas could soon become one of Virginia’s ”Top 10 Endangered Artifacts.”

The first graffiti was originally uncovered 10 years ago while conservators removed wall coverings during the home’s restoration process. Since then, writings have been discovered in every room of the house, according to the Virginia Association of Museums.

Writing on walls in the mid 19th century was considered vandalism, according to conservation expert Christopher Mills. Almost all known Civil War graffiti is found by accident during restoration or demolition, Mills notes, since many examples have been covered with paint or limewash. The writings offer a unique first-hand perspective of the era from the nine Virginia sites where Civil War graffiti has been recovered.

The Liberia Plantation was a successful dairy farm and family home that served as the headquarters of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and Union General Irvin McDowell while hosting President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Efforts are currently underway to restore the Liberia House and its 18 acres as an educational attraction, a park amenity and a source of revenue for the Citizens of Manassas.

Among other candidates for the Top 10 Endangered Artifacts are Virginia’s oldest batteau (built between 1765 and 1780), the Kodak Brownie Collection of consumer cameras starting in 1899, a D-Day landing map originally from Petersburg, Va. and the tombstone of the founder of Virginia Tech University among others.

Vote from Aug. 4 through Aug. 23 at www.vatop10artifacts.org

Photo courtesy of the Manassas Museum System.