Burgandine House History

There is some debate to the actual date of its construction. It had been a long held belief that it was constructed between 1749, the county's founding, and 1754, when Robert Coleman bought the lot. It was a log working class home, one and one-half stories tall made of log and planks. The porch was a later addition. It was eventually sold to General Edward Stevens and at one time used as a tavern. New research indicates it could have been built as late as 1800. The city took possession of the property in 1966, housing the Culpeper Historical Society. Its preservation occurred in 1997 by the city and is still owned by them today. You shouldn't start an argument with the entrepreneurs about which date is correct. Okay, go ahead, it will be a fun one.

Photo above: First floor of the Burgandine House, 2023, America's Best History.

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Through the Years

The county was chartered, as noted above, in 1749, and named after Lord Thomas Culpeper, Colonial Governor of Virginia. George Washington surveyed it, at seventeen years of age, and the town itself was chartered in 1759, known then as Fairfax. It was a twenty-seven acre courthouse village and included the plot of land owned by Robert Coleman, who might have built the Burgandine House then.

The coming of the railroad was both a boon and bain to the now known town of Culpeper Court House. It drew both the Union and Confederate armies due to its junctions to other Virginia towns. There were hundreds of battles and skirmishes within and around the town during the four years of Civil War. The houses of the city became military housing or hospitals, including the Burgandine House.

Photo above: Image of the Burgandine House, with very nearby built other home to its left, now removed, and the land occupied by the Culpeper Economic Development office, parking behind, and where the Culpeper Museum used to be before moving to the Train Station. The addition to the right has also been removed. Image from the Works Progress Administration in the 1930's. Courtesy Library of Virginia and the National Park Service.

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Culpeper Walking Tours

The Museum of Culpeper History, housed in the historic train station, has put together a wonderful booklet of walking and driving tours for you to take. If you're at the Burgandine House, it's not too far a walk down toward the river until you'll meet the old Victoria Hotel, opposite side, that housed many a high ranking officer in the Confederate Army. It was home to John Pelham and his Confederate brass. Opposite that is a plaque to the Shackleford House, where he died after the Battle of Kelly's Ford.

If you're just looking for a short hike downtown, the Downtown Culpeper walking tour will take you around its original boundaries as a rural county seat in Colonial times. The stagecoach arrived in 1834; the Orange and Alexandria Railroad in 1853. The Civil War saw Generals from both sides of the aisle; Union's Pope, Meade, U.S. Grant; Confederates J.E.B. Stuart, Stonewall Jackson, and Robert E. Lee. Most of the pre-Civil War buildings were destroyed by fire in this area of town after the war, but not including the Burgandine House, which is actually on another walking tour next to Walking Tour One. The site of the Shackelford House where Judge Shackelford and his three daughters resided was frequented by many an officer; one of which was Major John Pelham, who grew an affection for twenty-four year old unmarried daughter Bessie. The building is gone; it only has a plaque today. It is, however, across the street from the still standing Victoria House Hotel, now a music store and other establishments. On this tour, you'll also find A.P. Hill's boyhood home.

Photo above: Former Victoria Hotel, home to many Civil War commanders during the Civil War, including Confederate Major John Pelham, the highest ranking officer to perish during the Battle of Kelly's Ford, not far out of town, 2023. Courtesy America's Best History. Below: Plaque about John Pelham and his history in Culpeper, 2023, America's Best History.