Auburn
Also known as: VDHR No.023-0002
Why it's listed
Auburn is a working farm northwest of Brandy Station in Culpeper County, Virginia, set against the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its centerpiece is a three-story frame Greek Revival house built about 1855-1856 for James A. Beckham, with a monumental two-story portico, a central-passage plan and well-preserved Greek Revival interior woodwork. A one-room brick kitchen behind the house dates from the same period. Barns, a corncrib, silos, a meat house, a chicken house, a garage and two tenant houses reflect a farming operation that continued into the twentieth century, mainly after the Ratrie family bought the property in 1915. The property is also linked to John Minor Botts, a nationally known Virginia politician who lived at Auburn from 1863 until his death in 1869. During the Civil War he hosted Union officers and complained often to army commanders. The farm is recognized for its architecture, its agricultural buildings, and these political and military associations.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the house as an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture with high integrity, and the farm's barns and outbuildings as examples of agricultural architecture. It is also tied to Virginia politician John Minor Botts, who lived there from 1863 until his death in 1869, and to Civil War activity in the area, with Union officers visiting and encamping nearby.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08000068, listed February 21, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 17736 Auburn Rd., Brandy Station |
|---|---|
| County | Culpeper County |
| Listed | February 21, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000068 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1855-1955 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture, Politics/Government, Military, Black |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single dwelling with agricultural outbuildings, storage and fields; the house retains a very high degree of architectural integrity. |
| Acreage | 425 |
| Coordinates | 38.50579, -77.92698 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08000068.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14711986
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.