Discovering Dumfries

Prior to this past weekend, we didn't know much about Dumfries, other than it's along the I-95 corridor and is often mentioned as a reference point in the local traffic reports if traffic into Washington, D.C. is REALLY backed up (it's about 25-30 miles south of DC).

Like most every place around here, though, it has a rich history and apparently was the "epicenter of life" in Prince William County, just south of us, around the time of the Revolutionary War.

The First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line was participating in the "Dumfries Revolutionary War Weekend," so our favorite reenactors donned their "kit" and our family took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about Dumfries and its historic past.

Members of the musket company on break

The First Virginia set up an encampment and conducted living history demonstrations at the site of the Williams Ordinary, which was a tavern and gathering place for the local townspeople in the 1700 and 1800s.

The encampment

The Williams Ordinary is now owned by the county and used as an office by its Historic Preservation Division, but for this celebratory weekend it was decked out as a tavern again, and it would play host to a festive evening of beer and cider, food, music and games.

Williams Ordinary, c. 1760.

The First Virginia troops mustered for drill periodically throughout the day (our regiment was actually pretending to muster as the Third Virginia, which was the Virginia Regiment fielded from the Dumfries area during the revolutionary war).

Fixing bayonets

Shouldering firelocks

Preparing to advance in a bayonet charge

Although it's not obvious today (because the Williams Ordinary does not appear to be near any large body of water), Dumfries was actually a seaport town and a major East Coast shipping port at the time of the Revolutionary War.  Quantico Creek, which has silted in a great deal in the last 240 years, used to be a 30 foot deep harbor at Dumfries, allowing sailing ships to come right into town from the nearby mighty Potomac River.  

Fun fact:  Dumfries is also the oldest continuously chartered town in Virginia (according to the historic information on the Town of Dumfries website).  Who knew?!?  Every place has its story to tell, and we were happy to learn more about this little town with a big history this past weekend.