In 1965, Northern Virginia Technical College opened for classes with 761 students in the Carlyn Springs Road warehouse, located in Bailey's Crossroads. To accommodate an ever-growing student body, the College purchased 100 acres in Manassas in 1967 to build one of six permanent campus sites.
The city of Manassas has a rich history. During the American Civil War, it was the location of the First and Second Battles of Manassas (also known as the First and Second Battles of Bull Run). Little more than a railroad crossing at the time, Manassas has now become home to more than 35,000 citizens.
Originally known as the Western campus, the Manassas campus first offered classes in the fall of 1972. The Manassas campus is located in western Prince William County on a 100-acre site next to the Manassas National Battlefield. The campus primarily serves the residents of western Prince William and Fairfax counties and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. The campus has grown to include several classroom buildings and the Mary Louise Jackson Amphitheater. In spring 2012, the Harry J. Parrish Hall opened at the Manassas campus. The trailside building opened for classes in 2016 and its state-of-the-art FabLab opened in 2020. Despite its establishment over 50 years ago, Manassas remains one of the smaller campuses, offering its students an intimate class size and more personal attention.
Among the distinctive programs offered at the Manassas are the Early Childhood Education program, Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Welding, Biotechnology, and Engineering Technology.