Undetonated Civil War Projectile Found At Manassas Historic Site

MANASSAS, VA — A Civil War-era projectile has been discovered on a Manassas historic site celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

City Manager Steve Burke told Manassas City Council Monday night about the three-inch Schenkl artillery shell from the Civil War at the Liberia House. According to the city manager, a contractor working on the stream restoration project on Liberia House grounds on April 9 found the artillery shell.

The Schenkl artillery shell is a type of projectile used by the Union troops in the Civil War. According to Burke, the projectile appeared to be undetonated.

"The shell was recovered and removed by the Virginia State Police, and they are in the process of neutralizing it," said Burke. They will return it to the city so we will hopefully be able to display it as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Liberia House this year."

Liberia House is a site with a role in slavery and the Civil War. According to the City of Manassas website, the house was first built in 1825 by enslaved people for Harriett Bladen Mitchell Weir and William James Weir. By the time of the Civil War, it was one of western Prince William County's largest plantations, with more than 80 enslaved people.

During the Civil War, it served as a headquarters for Confederate troops, and later Union troops. When Union troops took over the location, President Abraham Lincoln visited in 1862. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was reported to have visited Liberia House in 1861.

Weir sold the property to Alexandria brewer Robert Portner in 1888, and it became used for dairy business. After the property passed to the Breedens in 1947, the City of Manassas began to pursue it in the 1970s to preserve the historic landmark and tourist attraction. The Breedens donated Liberia House and its 5.6 acres of land, and the city bought another 12.6 acres to protect from future development. The city put the Manassas Museum in charge of managing Liberia House.

According to Visit Manassas, Liberia House is one of the few early 1800s properties remaining in Manassas. Today, it is open for public tours and special events, including the Manassas Bee Festival in June.