Taste Of Home, Bus Tour: Prince William Co. Black History Month Events

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Numerous events are planned in Prince William County this February to observe Black History Month, which this year celebrates “African Americans and the Arts.”

Black History Month begins Thursday and continues through Leap Day on Feb. 29. Since 1976, every U.S. president has set aside February as a month to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and their role in U.S. history.

African American art is infused with multiple cultural influences, including African, Caribbean and the Black American lived experiences, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the founder of Black History Month.

These influences are seen in the visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.

In Prince William County, here are upcoming Black History Month events:

Black History Month: A Taste of Nigeria: Feb. 9-11

Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 15201 Potomac Town Place Woodbridge, VA

This pop-up event will include a Taste of Nigeria, fashion show, music, food and dance.

Lucasville School Open House: Feb. 10-11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

10516 Godwin Drive, Manassas, VA

Reconstruction after the Civil War brought with it new opportunities for African Americans in Prince William County. During Reconstruction, schools opened for free instruction but faced hurdles from irregular funding, teacher shortages, political threats and open violence. Learn about the Lucasville School and how people met these challenges and overcame them. For more information, call 703-365-7895.

Black History Celebration and Business Expo: Feb. 10, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Clearbrook Center of the Arts, 2230 Tacketts Mill Drive #B Lake Ridge, VA

This business-focused event will have a meet-and-greet, networking, shopping, appetizers, refreshments, entertainment, line dancing, dinner and more.

Tastes of Home: African American Culture and American Cuisine: Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas, VA

Many Southern dishes have their roots in west and central African culture that enslaved workers brought to America. Participants will prepare and taste African and Southern dishes in the historic slave quarter at Ben Lomond Historic Site. Call 703-367-7872 for more information and visit pwcparks.info/hptickets for tickets.

Black History Month Craft: Feb. 17

Potomac Community Library, 2021 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge10:30-11:30 a.m.

Join the Potomac Community Library to create art inspired by Alma Woodsey Thomas, a D.C. African American teacher and artist who is recognized as a major painter of the 20th century.

The New Negro Movement — Prince William County Presents African Americans and the Arts: Feb. 22, noon

Virtual

This virtual event will be hosted by the Prince William County Black History Committee. The annual event highlights the contributions of African Americans. Watch a livestream of the event at www.youtube.com/@PrinceWilliamCounty/live.

Prince William Historic Preservation Lecture Series: Freedom’s Words Ringing Hallow by Larry Howard: Feb. 22, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Old Manassas Courthouse, 9248 Lee Ave., Manassas

Historian Larry Howard will examine the perspectives of enslaved or formerly enslaved Virginians to determine their perspectives on the political ideas of America’s Founding Fathers. Call 703-367-7872 for more information. The event is free with a suggested $5 donation.

Prince William County African American History and Culture Bus Tour: Feb. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Join local historians on a day-long tour exploring African American history in Prince William County. Visitors will travel the county, exploring the 1800s all the way through the 1960s, stopping at sites to learn about the lifestyle, challenges and the power of education in the African American community. Sites will include Prince William Forest Park, Brentsville Courthouse and more. Reservations are required. Tickets are $70 per person and include lunch. Call 703-365-7895 for more information or visit pwcparks.info/hptickets to purchase tickets.

Black History Month Celebration: Feb. 24, 11 a.m.

Little Union Baptist Church, 17150 Batestown Rd, Dumfries, VA

Join this event for spoken words, music, lunch and more with a theme of "African Americans and the Arts."