Long Branch Historic House & Farm

Long Branch is a town in the state of New Jersey. Boyce, Virginia's Long Branch Historic House and Farm is situated on 400 acres of land, approximately one hour and a half north of Washington, D.C. In order to benefit our local and regional communities, we want to preserve and use the assets of the Long Branch estate to the greatest extent possible. In addition to hosting community and private events, the circa 1811 historic house, horse retirement farm, and scenic open spaces allow us to promote education and environmental preservation. In addition, our picturesque Sheila McQueen Gardens are an ideal setting for weddings and other private events. Visit the house, have a picnic on our beautiful grounds, or hike or walk around our pristine property at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We welcome you to come and enjoy ourselves. Let us know when we can expect to see you. Weddings Long Branch, Virginia, is nestled against the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers some of the most spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley. Due to the fact that it surrounds a beautifully groomed ceremony site, our Sheila Macqueen garden is an ideal setting for traditional Virginia weddings. The Main Gallery of the mansion can accommodate up to 75 guests for a more intimate Virginia wedding and reception venue when hosting smaller parties or during inclement weather conditions. Regardless of where you choose to get married, Long Branch has a Bridal Suite and a Groom's Room where you can prepare and relax before your big day. This beautiful, upstairs room with views of the ceremony site, as well as a luxurious dressing room and bathroom, is perfect for the bride and her bridal party to get ready, while the groom's "Tack Room" is the perfect place for the groom and his groomsmen to relax and enjoy pre-wedding preparations. History Long Branch has seen it all, including the Civil War, the Reconstruction era, the Great Depression, and two world wars, among other things. Long Branch is significant because of its connection to national, regional, and local historical narratives. It was designated as a Virginia Historic Landmark in 1968 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, respectively. Robert Carter Burwell, a descendant of Robert "King" Carter, inherited the land in Clarke County, Virginia, in 1788. The land was located along a stream known as Long Branch and was inherited by Robert Carter Burwell. Burwell established a wheat plantation on the land he inherited, employing the labor of enslaved laborers to do the work. Around 1810, he began construction on a mansion on the site, which would be completed in about twenty years. Burwell, with the assistance of a local builder-architect, designed and built the house in accordance with the classical principles suggested to him by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the architect of the United States Capitol, in a letter dated July 21, 1811, and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. It was suggested by Latrobe that Burwell include a servant's staircase and that the dining room and chamber be located on the south side of the house. Burwell was unable to incorporate all of Latrobe's recommendations into the final design of Long Branch, but he did include the servant's staircase, which can still be seen today in the building. Burwell did not have much time to enjoy his new home because, while serving in the military during the War of 1812 in the filthy camps around Norfolk, Virginia, he became ill and died.