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Manassas Parks, museum and Marcellus site: ribbon cuttings and historic‑site work part of 2025 plans
Summary
Parks, Culture and Recreation reported doubled museum attendance after renovation, completion of Annenberg repairs and upcoming openings for Dean Park ballfields and other events; staff outlined Marcellus School acquisition work and upcoming community conversations.
Manassas Parks, Culture and Recreation staff told the City Council on Jan. 27 that museum attendance has doubled following recent renovations, that Annenberg historic‑house repairs and accessibility work are complete, and that the city is preparing new public uses at the former Marcellus School site.
Assistant director Keisha Wilson Segunrow reported the Manassas Museum hosted special exhibitions and that visitor numbers exceeded pre‑pandemic attendance. The department highlighted the Annenberg rehabilitation—interior and exterior work, porch stabilization and a new accessible ramp—and said the site will host events tied to the museum.
Why it matters: The museum and historic assets support tourism, educational programming for local schools and downtown economic activity.
Key details - Museum: Staff said this fiscal year represents the first full year back in the renovated museum space and that attendance has doubled compared with pre‑renovation numbers. - Annenberg: Repairs included interior painting, porch stabilization and an ADA ramp; staff said a ribbon cutting occurred and the house will remain a venue for cultural programs. - Marcellus School site: The city has acquired the former Marcellus School and is completing interior and exterior work, including ball fields. Staff said the ball fields are scheduled to open March 15 and that community conversations about future uses and a larger April community event are planned. - Events: The department previewed spring community events including a Marcella Community Conversations session on April 20 and a large community “play all day” event in June; staff reiterated the city’s free Harris Pavilion concert programming and seasonal hiring for pools and recreation work.
Museum and school partnerships Staff said every fourth‑grade class in the Manassas school system visited the museum in the past year as part of a curriculum partnership. The department also credited volunteer and private donations—including a $25,000 museum associates gift—for conservation projects such as the planned relocation of the Ginny Dean cottage and Liberia House bicentennial programming slated for 2025.
Ending Parks staff invited residents to upcoming ribbon cuttings, public events and community‑conversation meetings and encouraged participation in planning for Marcellus site reuse and Liberia’s bicentennial celebrations.
