ben lomond manor house & old rose garden

I really enjoyed the tour of this wonderful piece of history in Manassas. I particularly liked the way it was set up as an old hospital. It was very interesting and it is well preserved. The staff is very knowledgeable.

House is amazing and in excellent condition. This was used for a hospital at one time. A small building is also there that used to house slaves also in excellent condition. Did not get a chance to do into the house, no one was around. The Rose Garden needs some work.

If you love to tour historic homes, this is a beauty with their fabulously tended rose gardens. You can almost hear the ghosts of residents past.

Was closed in the early morning when I visited. Information kiosk with pamphlets told the story of the building and how it was a hospital during the battles of Bull Run/Manassas. Would have liked to vist inside. Hopefully on another trip.

Catch this site on a Thursday - Saturday, when the red flag is posted outside the entrance. That signals the the interior is open for touring. The home exterior is attractive, but it was the rose garden that stole the show for me. I have never held rose blossums from a rose bush planted prior to 1781. But this rose garden has several. Not to mention the numerous rose bushes planted between 1800 - 1900. Living history.

I'd take my elementary class to visit although it is small. The new young guide was doing the best she could...I was her 2nd tour ever!

This is a great museum....unlike other house museums, everything is HANDS ON!!! Fantastic!

This small house is a gem. If you like history, and are interested in medicine, it is a must. Our guide, Mr. B. Backus was knowledgeable about this house, and naturally helpful in answering our questions, when he knew the answers [We have a way of stumping tour guides with our inquisitiveness.]. The house was used as a hospital, and the statistics surprised us and gave us a new perspective on the Battle of First Manassas. While our 4 year old did well, I recommend an older age group for most youngsters, unless very well behaved. One could see the first floor and get the spiel with a wheelchair.

My husband and I recently visited Ben Lomond Manor. We're relatively local and trying to see all the historical site tied to the Civil War. This would be a GREAT attraction for Families with kids or teenagers. The tour guide we had was great! She made the tour interesting - as in fun not read from a history book. If we get house guests I would definitely bring them here for a bit of history. One tip: This site was uses a a hospital so there is some discussion about civil war medical techniques (or lack there of). The fake blood is a hoot and would make any kid of teenager have fun.

Large manor house (named Ben Lomond after a place in Scotland) was built in the 1830'a by the Chin family. It is a typical Federal style manor/plantation style house, but what makes it of interest is the role it played during the Civil War. The Chin family has leased it out to the Pringle during the period surrounding the Civil War. During the Battles of Manassas / Bull Run, the house was taken over twice to function as a triage hospital, primarily for Confederate soldiers. Of particular note is that the inside house walls are covered with graffitti from when the soldiers (both Confederate and Federal/Union) occuppied the house. Besides the main house, there is a tour of the slave quarters, smoke house and dairy. The rose garden is relatively small and disappointing.What makes this house worth a visit is the reenactors are portraying the house as a battle hospital. It is a fun way (from kids to senior citizens) to learn about medicine in a much different era, and the guides made it seem so real. The presentation on medical equipment, amputations and drugs was particularly interesting. Unlike many places, here you can actually enter rooms and touch the equipment and furnings, unlike many museums. Great guides to explain things. Worth visiting to make the impact of the Civil War seem more personal and real.