Love is on Full Display at the Freedom Museum
Now coming to the end of the first year in its new home in Old Town Manassas, The Freedom Museum’s large window facing Center and West Streets boasts a distinctly different look this month.
Museum president Jim Porter and director of growth and development Kristin Perper explain that since June remains one of the most popular months for weddings, they decided to display wedding memorabilia from days gone by while staying true to the theme of honoring local residents. Jim points out that the Greatest Generation, many of whom served in World War II, focused on life’s next steps—getting married and starting families toward the end of the war.
Rohr and Parrish are two well-known Manassas names, with family members continuing to reside here. Walser Conner and Edgar Rohr married in 1944—on New Year’s Day in fact. The couple devoted their lives to improving Manassas, a town they loved dearly, remaining active in a variety of civic groups for many decades.
High school sweethearts Mattie Hooe Cannon and Harry J. Parrish (parents to the former Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish II) were also married in Manassas in 1944 and their wedding photographer made a fatal mistake of not loading film into his camera. While she didn’t have photos of the actual wedding, how many brides can know their wedding dress would be on display decades later? Luckily, a guest was able to capture a photo—it’s in the museum window along with Mattie’s dress.
A Love Like None Other
Among the sweetest of these love displays is a photo of Pete and Betty Anastasi, who married in Manassas on June 9, 1945.
Incredibly, they live here to this day and will celebrate their 77th anniversary as this issue lands in mailboxes! In addition to their wedding photo, the window displays a poem called “My Wife” that Pete wrote for Betty on their 50th anniversary. It reads: “I once met a gal at a little ole dance; she stole my heart at the very first glance. This same sweet gal I now call my wife—is a heaven sent gift I’ll love all my life. Now this bundle of love that’s 5 foot 2 with eyes of blue, has blessed our home with two jewels of life. One is a boy, cherished and sweet; the other a girl, darling and petite. I thank God for these treasures of life, this boy and girl and wonderful wife. My poem ends but life begins, because I have you, my dearest wife—the one I met at that little ole dance and fell in love with at the very first glance.”
Jim and Kristin are grateful for local businesses and families that shared items for this priceless display—perhaps you have a relic to add? Stop by the Freedom Museum to check out these treasures, or call (571) 567-9325 or visit freedommuseum.org to learn more.
Copy used with permission by Nancy Griffin-Bonnaire.