Morgan-Bedinger-Dandridge House
Encyclopedia
The Morgan-Bedinger-Dandridge House, also known as Poplar Grove, then Rosebrake, is part of a group of structures affiliated with the Morgan's Grove
rural historic district near Shepherdstown, West Virginia
. The house was known as Poplar Grove until 1877. The original building was built circa 1745 by Richard Morgan, and became known as the "Back Building". In 1803 the house was expanded by Daniel Morgan with a two-story brick structure, known as the "Great House". Formal gardens were added at this time.
In 1859 the present main portion of the house was built by Caroline Bedinger, widow of Henry Bedinger
. During her ownership the house was occupied by Colonel Alexander R. Boteler, a former U.S. Representative
who, at the outbreak of the American Civil War
became a Confederate
officer. After the war, while Boteler was living at Poplar Grove, President U.S. Grant
appointed Boteler to the U. S. Centennial Commission. Caroline's daughter, Danske Bedinger Dandridge
, a noted poet, changed the name of the house to "Rosebrake" in 1877.
A portico
was added to the house in 1950, removed from a house on Long Island
and shipped to West Virginia.
Morgan's Grove
Morgan's Grove is a rural historic district near Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The area is noted for its abundant springs. Several historic houses and farms are included in the district, including:...
rural historic district near Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Shepherdstown is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States, located along the Potomac River. It is the oldest town in the state, having been chartered in 1762 by Colonial Virginia's General Assembly. Since 1863, Shepherdstown has been in West Virginia, and is the oldest town in...
. The house was known as Poplar Grove until 1877. The original building was built circa 1745 by Richard Morgan, and became known as the "Back Building". In 1803 the house was expanded by Daniel Morgan with a two-story brick structure, known as the "Great House". Formal gardens were added at this time.
In 1859 the present main portion of the house was built by Caroline Bedinger, widow of Henry Bedinger
Henry Bedinger
Henry Bedinger III was a nineteenth century politician, lawyer and diplomat from Virginia. He was the nephew of George Michael Bedinger....
. During her ownership the house was occupied by Colonel Alexander R. Boteler, a former U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
who, at the outbreak of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
became a Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
officer. After the war, while Boteler was living at Poplar Grove, President U.S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
appointed Boteler to the U. S. Centennial Commission. Caroline's daughter, Danske Bedinger Dandridge
Danske Dandridge
Caroline "Danske" Dandridge was an American poet, historian and garden writer.Dandridge was born on November 19, 1854 in Copenhagen, Denmark to Caroline Lawrence Bedinger and Henry Bedinger III, the United States' first ambassador to Denmark...
, a noted poet, changed the name of the house to "Rosebrake" in 1877.
A portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
was added to the house in 1950, removed from a house on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
and shipped to West Virginia.
External links
- The Grove, Shepherdstown vicinity, Jefferson County, WV: 1 photo, 1 data page, at Historic American Building Survey ("Rose Break" or "Dandridge House")