MANASSAS, Va. — A piece of American history has been unearthed at the Liberia House, one of the most historically significant sites in Northern Virginia.
During a stream restoration project on the property on April 9, 2025, contractors uncovered a Civil War-era three-inch Shankle artillery shell, a rare and potentially dangerous artifact dating back over 160 years. The find was made during excavation work intended to reroute the stream back to its original course as part of a more comprehensive stormwater management effort.
Manassas Museum Curator Mary Helen Dillenger was among the first to respond after the shell was discovered. “The contractors moved it and called us, and we came over to take a look,” Dillenger said. “From my understanding, this particular type of shell did not have a fuse, and the gunpowder would have been loaded independently, which meant it was likely safe—but we don’t take chances with military-grade ordnance.”
As is protocol, city staff contacted local authorities, and the Virginia State Police bomb squad was dispatched to the scene. The shell was safely removed and is currently undergoing evaluation and neutralization. Once it is confirmed safe, the shell will be returned to the City of Manassas for public display.
City Manager Steve Burke formally announced the discovery during the April 14 City Council meeting, noting that the shell is expected to be featured in celebrations later this year commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Liberia House, which was built in 1825.
“We’re hoping to display it as part of our anniversary observance,” Burke told the council. “It’s a tangible connection to the history that unfolded right here in Manassas.”
A Link to Civil War History
The Liberia House sits at the heart of Manassas’ Civil War history. Built by slaves in 1825, the estate once spanned over 2,000 acres and was one of the most extensive working plantations in Prince William County. During the Civil War, it was occupied by both Union and Confederate forces, serving as headquarters for prominent generals, including Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and Union General Irvin McDowell.
Dillenger pointed to historical records suggesting that the 2nd New York Artillery may have had a battery on the Liberia House property during the Second Battle of Manassas. “They were firing across the valley at the Confederates at Fort Beauregard—what’s now the Putt-Putt Golf Course,” she explained. “We can’t say for certain, but there’s a good chance the shell was either fired during that engagement and didn’t explode or was simply left behind.”
A Special Display Planned for October
As the shell undergoes processing, the Manassas Museum and city officials are planning its public debut. The ordinance will be x-rayed, drilled, and rendered inert before being returned to the city.
The artifact is expected to be featured in a special exhibit during Liberia’s 200th birthday celebration, slated for October 2025. “If you want to see this thing that goes boom, come out in October,” Dillenger said with a smile. “We’ll announce the dates soon—and along with the shell, we’ll have other exciting historical items tied to the house and the Civil War.”
For more on the history of the Liberia House and updates on the 200th-anniversary events, visit manassasmuseum.org.
