Graffiti House at Brandy Station - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

A two-story frame house built in the 1850s was used as a field hospital following the Battle of Kelly's Ford and the Battle of Brandy Station* in 1863 in Culpeper County, Virginia. The building sat next to the railroad tracks, so it was an ideal location for transporting the seriously wounded Confederate soldiers and Union POWs to other hospitals and/or prisons by train. The priority of the rails was to move troops and supplies, so often the wounded would have to wait for an available train. The waiting soldiers would use charcoal out of the fireplace and write their names, leave messages, draw pictures, and scrawl other graffiti on the walls.

The house was used again as Union headquarters during the winter encampment of 1863-1864.

After the Civil War, the house changed hands at least 12 times and the walls were covered and painted over. In 1993, during renovation to convert the property for commercial use, the graffiti was discovered. Thus, this old house got its name as the Graffiti House.

The Brandy Station Foundation bought the house in 2003 and restored it. They have done extensive research and continue to do so on the names and places found on the walls. The Graffiti House also serves as the Visitor Center for the Brandy Station Battlefield and other Civil War Discovery Trail sites in Culpeper County. Because it is run by volunteers, its hours are limited to Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays from 11 AM to 4 PM.

*Related waymarks:

• Buford's Knoll
• St. James Church
• Fleetwood Hill

References: On-site information and oral history from BSF volunteers at Graffiti House.

See also: BRANDY STATION FOUNDATION: The Graffiti House

Type of site: Hospital Address: 19484 Brandy Road Brandy Station, VA USA 22714 Phone Number: 540-727-7718 Admission Charged: No Charge Website: [Web Link] Driving Directions: The Graffiti House is located just off Route 15/29, between Warrenton and Culpeper, about 5 miles west of the Rappahanock River. Upon reaching Brandy Station on Route 15/29, turn south on Alanthus Road. Go approximately 200 yards to the intersection with Brandy Road and turn left. Proceed straight on Brandy Road to the Graffiti House, located next to the old church on the right side of the road.

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