On a subsequent visit I snapped a photo and added the Graffiti House as a subject of replicas that I produce. I believe they have one on display there. I make a donation to the Battlefield Foundation from every Graffiti House replica that is sold ( although we’ve only sold a few so far). … just my way of contributing to save our hallowed ground.

(I’ve done the Pritchard House in Kernstown as well). I need to post the Graffiti House replica online on our website … http://www.SundanceReplicas.com.

Sorry that you won’t be able to make it to the tour next weekend, but since you live in Nevada, I completely understand.

If you can get back this way in the future, please contact me. I’m in the phone book, or can be reached through the contacts on the BSF website.

Since I’m retired, I’m pretty flexible, and would be happy to take a few hours to show you the Brandy Station battlefield. We’re fortunate that between the BSF and the CWPT much of the battlefield land is protected. We are also fortunate that because of the support of local landowners, we have access to privately owned portions of the battlefield. Unlike many battlefields, Brandy Station looks today much like it did in 1863.

I look forward to hearing from you in the — hopefully — not too distant future.

Sincerely,

Joseph McKinney

I reject the implication that we in Culpeper were somehow remiss when we “let [the landowner] build anyway.” The house is in compliance with long-standing zoning and land use restrictions and meets building codes. I doubt that many county officials anywhere in this country would find much fault with a property owner wanting to build a personal residence on a parcel he has owned for 20 or 30 years. This is hardly equivalent to Wal-Mart in the Wilderness or Disney’s America in Haymarket.

I don’t take issue with anyone’s opinion that Fleetwood ought to be preserved. Nor do I take issue with those who feel that the view of Fleetwood was more esthetically pleasing in the period between when the 1880s house came down and the present house went up. In my previous post, I simply took exception to the assertion that the house was built to spite preservationists, and to the characterization of the landowner as a “jerk.” I continue to stand by those comments.

Mr. Mancini, If you are interested in learning about Fleetwood Hill, be at the Graffiti House in Brandy Station at 10:00 am next Saturday, June 27. I’ll be leading a 2-hour tour of Fleetwood as a volunteer for the Brandy Station Foundation. The BSF fee is $10. Hope to see you there!