Lauril saw in the paper that there was an opportunity to do a service project cleaning up the grounds at the historic Liberia Mansion owned by the Wier family at the time of the civil war. The Wiers were related to the famous Carter family who owned most of northern Virginia and were very wealthy. The proximety of the mansion to the rail station (which was the coveted prize of the1st and 2nd battles of Manassas or Bull Run) made it a central point for the war.
The owners of the home were devout people who advocated sending their slaves to Liberia but didn't free them, hence their naming their home as such. This home also served as the post office and they owned the general store. After the South won the first battle at Manassas Junction they made Liberia Mansion their headquarters and set up there. President Jefferson Davis visited this home during that time. When called upon to leave to go to the south, they left so quickly the left three bodies behind and their battle plans. After the second battle the next year the victorious North occupied the building, discovered the bodies and the plans. It was at this time that Abraham Lincoln visited the home after General McDowell was injured. This is the only building that the presidents of both sides of the war ever visited. The pictures here are of the home during a celebration in 1993. Currently the front is missing the columns.
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