Go on a Gallery Tour of The Journey Through Hallowed Ground with National Geographic Photographer Ken Garrett at the Manassas Museum

For Immediate Release  
April 24, 2009
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Waterford, Virginia —Starting in Charlottesville, running north along the Old Carolina Road (Routes 231 and 15) through Culpeper, Prince William, Loudoun, and ending in Gettysburg, no other place in this nation is more saturated with American history than this one. Join National Geographic cover photographer Kenneth L. Garrett, who will kick-off a special gallery opening at the Manassas Museum, where he will describe his experiences shooting pictures for The Journey Through Hallowed Ground: Birthplace of the American Ideal, a highly celebrated book that portrays this special region.

Join your friends at the Manassas Museum for an exceptional behind-the-lens talk, book signing and exhibit opening on Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m., when Ken will offer an insider’s view of his experiences creating the photographs while guests also enjoy a sampling of a Prince Michel’s private label wine and an exclusive tour of Ken’s limited edition prints.

Published by the National Geographic Society, The Journey Through Hallowed Ground: Birthplace of the American Ideal, depicts how today’s vibrant Main Street communities in the region have evolved over time as a result of actions taken by renown historical leaders as well as by innovative entrepreneurs, visionary elected officials, and the support of every citizen.

National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Edward Ayers described the National Geographic publication this way: “On every page, this book evokes the beauty of America’s hallowed ground. In a rich tapestry of images and words, it weaves a powerful history that stretches for centuries across the most dramatic events this country has known.”

Cate Magennis Wyatt, president of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership added, “This work reveals how generations of people from Manassas, and anyone who has ever lived within this unique National Heritage Area, have placed life and livelihood on the line in the name of creating our Nation. It’s a testament to them.”

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground was recently named a national heritage area by congress and the president. It is also known as the region Where America Happened because of the 11,000 years of dense history the corridor has experienced from ancient burial grounds and Native American history to 400 years of European, American and African American heritage. Today, nine U.S. presidential homes grace the rolling hills, along with two World Heritage sites, 49 National Heritage districts and more than a million acres on the National Registry of Historic Places.