Liberia House

In 1825 Harriett Bladen Mitchell Weir and her husband William James Weir built the house and farm that became known as Liberia. The house, originally situated on 1,660 acres of land, encompassed much of modern day Manassas. With the labor of more than 80 enslaved people the farm produced grains and vegetables, and boasted herds of sheep, horses, cattle, and hogs.

When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, William’s sons enlisted in the Confederate Army while he remained to operate the farm. The family lived at Liberia until March 1862 when the advance of Union troops forced them to flee south. The house became the military headquarters of General Irvin McDowell, USA. It was during this period that President Abraham Lincoln visited Liberia to confer with his general. Union soldiers stationed nearby left their signatures on the walls of house, many of which can still be seen today.

The City of Manassas acquired the house and 13 acres of land on December 31, 1986. Since that time, the City has restored the home to its nineteenth century look and reshaped the grounds to resemble their appearance when the Weirs were in residence.