America's Best History Spotlight

On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.

Burgandine House

Burgandine House, Virginia

As an aside after visiting Brandy Station's Graffiti House and a tour of Kelly's Ford, we had more time to investigate the amazing history that sits inside the town itself. Some, alas, are plaques to buildings that are removed, but others, such as the Burgandine House, are there to investigate and wonder upon. The Burgandine House is the oldest standing structure in Culpeper, formerly Fairfax, formerly Culpeper Court House, Virginia. It was built around 1750, see controversy below, and basically consists in its current state, which is close to the original, a two to three room structure. One large room exists on the first floor used as the living room and kitchen, a smaller room near the staircase, and an upper room for bedrooms and storage.

But the main thing that impressed us, and impressed us greatly, was the original and reproductions of all the guns, muskets, swords, clothing, furniture, and more that adorned every available space. There were period pictures. Period tables. All situated perfectly around the crowded house. And who owns and maintains this small gem of history; the city owns it, a gentleman and his partner run it, and all of the period treasures inside, are their own. And they are there to tell you about it. Don't miss this if traveling through or down the Journey Through Hallowed Road. It won't cost the new fees at Monticello. Won't take much time, ... well might not, that man has a lot of stories to impart. Just one, ... did you know that the bullet that killed John Pelham at Kelly's Ford was Confederate, either friendly fire or misfire? Recent forensic evidence has uncovered that. Photo above: Exterior of the Burgandine House, 2023. Courtesy America's Best History.



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Info, What's There Now, History Nearby

Culpeper 1862

Burgandine House, Virginia

Burgandine House was there when the town was known as Fairfax, originally charter on February 22, 1759. It was surveyed by Washington, to be ten blocks in extant, and known as Culpeper Court House after it got its first post office in 1795.

Image above: One side of a vintage stereoscope of Culpeper Court House from rail depot, 1862, Timothy O'Sullivan. Courtesy Library of Congress. Below: Interior of the second floor of the Burgandine House, 2023. Courtesy America's Best History.


Interior of the Burgandine House, Second Floor

Where Is It

Burgandine House is located at 807 South Main Street, Culpeper, Virginia. Culpeper is located down Route 15/29 and the town itself on the Business Route side of that. Your GPS should get you there, it did us.



Minute Walk in History
Burgandine House

Let's take a short walk from the parking lot and through the two story oldest house in Culpeper, Virginia, the Burgandine House. Listen to some pleasant music as you witness the historic working class home of a Piedmont Virginia family.

What is There Now


Burgandine House

The vintage house with free parking behind the Culpeper Economic Development Center next door. There are exhibits and tours by the proprietors on Saturday and Sunday. Check at the Culpeper Museum of History for open times as they vary throughout the year. The Culpeper Museum of History is located in the old train station at 113 South Commerce Street. There is free two to three hour parking there.


When Open and How Much

The house is open Saturday and Sunday, variety of hours. It is free, with donations gladly accepted. The Culpeper Museum of History is open daily from 10 to 4. There is a charge of $5 for adults and free for children, students, and Culpeper residents at the Museum.

Fees and hours are subject to change.

Websites
Visit Culpeper
Culpeper Museum of History


History Nearby


Well, first, take the myriad of walking and driving tours around Culpeper, including the battlefields of Cedar Mountain, Brandy Station, and Kelly's Ford around it; they're going to be the Culpeper Battlefields State Park starting in 2024. Beyond that, there's so much, but if you're Civil War minded, it will be those just off or on Route 3; the battlefield sites of Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Fredericksburg.



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