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Pick up, it's history calling [News & Messenger, Manassas, Va.](Manassas Journal Messenger (Woodbridge, VA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) July 13--MANASSAS, Va. -- There is not a better place to learn from our past than in our present. And thanks to new smartphone technology, visitors at the Manassas National Battlefield can process the past at the click of a button. On Tuesday, the Civil War Trust and Virginia Department of Transportation announced a free application for smartphones called Bull Run Battle App that educates folks about the First Battle of Manassas. It's the third of its kind, with the Civil War Trust having already completed apps for the Fredericksburg and Gettysburg battlefields. Just in time for the July 23 sesquicentennial of the battle, this technology combines audio, video and a GPS map that tells visitors at the Manassas National Battlefield where they are in the park and what's historically significant about the location. It even has a quiz. It's available on Apple products like the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Part of the Trust's goal in creating this technology was to give those who wanted to learn more about the park a well-rounded experience. They also wanted to appeal to the younger demographic, who use smart phones as much for downloading information as for talking to their friends. "The intent was to get the next generation of interpretation and apply it to the battlefield," said Civil War Trust president Jim Lighthizer. Park superintendent Ed Clark said this app enhances the visitor experience at the battlefield, which is vital for return visitors. And Lighthizer said the new technology is just as good as taking a guided tour, which can cost $55 at a place like Gettysburg. "If history isn't told well, the visitor experience is negatively impacted," Clark said. Gainesville Supervisor John T. Stirrup, who was in attendance at Tuesday's press conference at the battlefield, said the phone app "makes history cool." The app cost approximately $25,000 to create and plans are underway for several more -- including Chancellorsville, Malvern Hill and Petersburg. The app was paid for through the state's Transportation Enhancement funding, which goes to help tourism throughout the state. The timing of the app launch was also significant. With the Sesquicentennial anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas less than two weeks away, it's a perfect time to learn as much as you can about one of the most significant days in the history of the United States. Approximately 25,000 people are expected to attend the 30 events planned in the county and city of Manassas next week, said Prince William/Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau tourism director Ann Marie Maher. "[Prince William County] is uniquely positioned in American history, and we want to make the visitors experience very enjoyable..." Stirrup said. Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-530-3904. ___ To see more of the News & Messenger or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www2.insidenova.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, News & Messenger, Manassas, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |