Rokeby (Leesburg, Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Rokeby is a Georgian
house near Leesburg, Virginia
, built in the mid-18th century. The house is the best example of Georgian architecture in Loudoun County
. Rokeby served as a repository for U.S. Government documents during the British occupation and burning of Washington
in 1814 during the War of 1812
. The Declaration of Independence
was reputedly kept in the basement.
. A large kitchen was located in the basement; its hearth survives. Renovations have altered much of the interior detailing, adding Colonial revival trim and plaster detailing. The exterior is built entirely in Flemish bomd.
James Monroe
. The house was purchased in 1830 by Benjamin Shreve, Jr., who altered the earlier clipped gables to their present form and who changed the interior trim details. At about 1886, under the ownership of O.E. Breese, the house was first called "Rokeby." The Breese family made the additions to the rear of the house. It was restored in 1958.
Rokeby was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
on May 30, 1976.
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
house near Leesburg, Virginia
Leesburg, Virginia
Leesburg is a historic town in, and county seat of, Loudoun County, Virginia, United States of America. Leesburg is located west-northwest of Washington, D.C. along the base of the Catoctin Mountain and adjacent to the Potomac River. Its population according the 2010 Census is 42,616...
, built in the mid-18th century. The house is the best example of Georgian architecture in Loudoun County
Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
. Rokeby served as a repository for U.S. Government documents during the British occupation and burning of Washington
Burning of Washington
The Burning of Washington was an armed conflict during the War of 1812 between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the United States of America. On August 24, 1814, led by General Robert Ross, a British force occupied Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings following...
in 1814 during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
was reputedly kept in the basement.
Description
The main house is a two-story five-bay brick building standing on a low basement, with prominent end chimneys. The plan is two rooms deep with a central stair hall. A rear wing was added in 1886, using detailing that matched the original house. The main house is notable for its basement, in which the central portion features a brick barrel vaultBarrel vault
A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault or a wagon vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design...
. A large kitchen was located in the basement; its hearth survives. Renovations have altered much of the interior detailing, adding Colonial revival trim and plaster detailing. The exterior is built entirely in Flemish bomd.
History
Rokeby was built around 1765 by Charles Binns, Sr. on a 160 acres (64.7 ha) tract. His son inherited the house in 1801, and although William Binns did not live there, the empty house was used to store U.S. government documents at the direction of then-Secretary of StateUnited States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
. The house was purchased in 1830 by Benjamin Shreve, Jr., who altered the earlier clipped gables to their present form and who changed the interior trim details. At about 1886, under the ownership of O.E. Breese, the house was first called "Rokeby." The Breese family made the additions to the rear of the house. It was restored in 1958.
Rokeby was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on May 30, 1976.