Opening the front door to Culpeper’s history

By Catherine Amos

Published: December 5, 2008

Culpeper residents and visitors will have the chance to step back in time and into historic homes along South East Street during the 2008 Holiday Tour of Homes Saturday.

The Museum of Culpeper History is sponsoring the tour for the first time this year after the South East Neighborhood Watch ended its 14-year tradition. The tour will feature seven homes, including a renovated barn, a bed and breakfast and the oldest house in Culpeper. Four of the homes have never before been included on a tour.

“Because we’re getting ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary, we thought it would be neat to do the historic district,” said Lee Langston-Harrison, executive director of the museum. “We just knocked on doors and begged.”

John and Trish Ruf own the blue Victorian trimmed in red and white, surrounded by a classic white picket fence at 410 South East St. The Ruf Residence is officially dated to 1910, but John, a former architect specializing in historic restoration, can date some of the hardware found in the home as Antebellum.

“It’s a humble home,” John said. “It’s smaller than the other fish on the block.”

The Rufs have spent the last five years renovating the home, room by room. From collapsed walls and ceilings to burst pipes to popping tile floors, they have labored over the project, which still requires a few more improvements, John said.

The house has all new windows, two updated bathrooms and a kitchen with all modern appliances. The Rufs removed the 1950s aluminum siding to restore the wood siding and Victorian trim.

Much of the original wood floors are still intact, as well as the charming winding staircase that envelopes a decorated Christmas tree.

“It’s giving back a little,” John said of why they wanted to be a part of the tour, despite not being totally done with the renovations. “So many friends here have been kind to us. It was a chance to give back a little to the neighborhood and to the museum.”

The Rufs’ is the first stop on the tour, which runs down South East Street to the Guinn House and around to the Burgandine House — the oldest house in Culpeper — at the museum on Main Street. St. Luke’s Lutheran School’s fourth grade class will be at the Burgandine House today with popcorn and cranberry garland, decorating a cedar tree donated by A&R Christmas Tree Farm.

“It has been a wild ride,” Langston-Harrison said. “These (volunteers) have been amazing.”

Langston-Harrison had just a few months to plan, but had the help of new hire Linda Montgomery, the museum’s events coordinator, and dedicated volunteers.

Proceeds will benefit two scholarships and supplies for Camp Culley, the museum’s educational summer camp, as well as other museum programs.

“It’s always been so successful,” museum board member Brenda Crist said of why they took on the project. “And we’re desperate. We’ve got to do something to raise money. We just hope it’s as successful as it has been. I’m glad we had it to grab.”

Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 or .

Holiday Tour of Homes
Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 day of tour and are available at downtown businesses and the Museum of Culpeper History. Proceeds benefit Camp Culley ’09 and other museum programs.
A trolley will run a loop along South East Street from the Depot to the museum on Main Street. Free parking is available at the museum (803 South Main St.), at the Depot/Visitors Center, Virginia Commonwealth Bank and the public lot on Wausau Place.
Enjoy reenactors, a holiday High Tea, raffle and Hall of Wreaths from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum. Call 829-1749 or visit culpepermuseum.com/tourofhomes.

The Ruf Residence,
410 S. East St.*
This cozy red, white and blue Victorian officially came into being in 1910 when the homeowners installed two bathrooms and indoor plumbing. The nails and door hardware, however, suggest that the core of the house is substantially older, perhaps even antebellum.

The two-story entrance foyer with wrap-around stairway contains all of its original Victorian trim. The house boasts variable-width heart-pine floors throughout. Additionally, the Victorian era porch, gable, and bay window trim survive.

*Indicates homes on tour for the first time. Home histories are courtesy of the Museum of Culpeper History.

The Hill Mansion,
501 S. East St.
The Hill Mansion was built in 1858 by Edward Baptist Hill, the older brother of Gen. Ambrose Powell Hill of Civil War fame. During the Civil War, A.P. Hill’s wife Kitty and their children visited the home frequently.

Rooney Lee recuperated from a wound in an upstairs bedroom and his father, Gen. Robert E Lee, visited several times. As was the case with most homes in town, the mansion served as a hospital for Union soldiers when the Union Army occupied the town.

The house features original plaster walls, 12-foot first floor ceilings, nine fireplaces, a walnut winding staircase, and a painted stained-glass front door capture the 19th century feel of the home.

The Carriage House,
509 S. East St.*
In 2006 Gerri and Roy Ludwig built this house in the same style and tradition of their 1842 grand Victorian to replace the original structure that was destroyed when the residence was relocated in 1995.

Serving as the general contractors and using old photos, the owners built a structure that matched not only the main house, but also South East Street’s historic neighborhood. Many of these photos will be on display in the recently completed home during the tour.

Fountain Hall Bed & Breakfast, 609 South East St.
Fountain Hall is located on part of a large land tract originally owned by Virginia’s Royal Governor, Sir Alexander Spotswood. The house was built in 1859 as a simple country Victorian named for Fountain Fisher Henry, a land developer of South East Street.

In 1985, Steve and Kathi Walker purchased Fountain Hall to create Culpeper’s first bed and breakfast. The house boasts 10-foot ceilings, a sweeping walnut staircase, three large common rooms and six guest rooms with modern amenities. There are six fireplaces throughout the house, original glass pane windows, a formal dining room, and a breakfast room.

The Burgandine House,
803 S. Main St.*
The Burgandine House is considered the oldest home in Culpeper, built in 1749 as a log cabin. According to local lore, this structure was used as a tavern during the American Revolution. The house doubled in size during the Victorian Period and was later donated to the town.

The Culpeper Historical Society undertook a full restoration of the house in the early 1990s, and now the house is open daily as part of the Museum of Culpeper History’s public programming.

The Guinn House,
1002 S. East St.*
This unusual example of the Spanish Colonial style of architecture is rarely seen in Virginia. Built in 1920, its tile roof, broad eaves and battlemented parapet are hallmarks of this style. Once home to local photographer and historian, J. Russell Guinn, the property has only changed hands four times in 88 years.

Raygan and Jason Ketterer purchased the home in 2004 and have been working on extensive renovations of the interior and exterior to ensure their cottage retains its original charm.

The Barn at Heavenly Circle, 18075 Safe Haven Way
The architectural style of this single family home has to be called “barn revival.” Originally a dairy barn built in 1900, it remained in use as such for more than 90 years. Owner Junior Baker began the process of remodeling the structure into a home when he purchased the property.

Baker left the original fork and hay track and several exposed beams. He added a stone fireplace and balcony area where the hay-doors had been. A kitchen, with all the modern amenities has been added and the great room features a 20-foot ceiling.

The Barn is not included on the trolley route. Visit culpepermuseum.com/
tourofhomes for directions.