Merrybrook, Historic Home of Laura Ratcliff, Civil War Spy

Merrybrook, built in 1820, is the only remaining home of Laura Ratcliff a Confederate Civil War spy.

Laura lived at Merrybrook from the early days of the Civil War until her death, (1923).

On April 26, 2007, the home was placed on the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

I believe, the application to put Merrybrook on the National Historic Register is still pending approval.

Merrybrook is less than an acre in size.  The home’s architectural style is Greek Revival and Colonial Revival.

Merrybrook Home from Over the Fence Laura Ratcliff Information Posting

I was not able to get a good camera view of Merrybrook.  I believe this is still a private home and I did not want to trespass.

I was, however, able to walk around the public park that surrounds Merrybrook and hold my camera up for a photograph of the front of the house.

The white house has multiple fireplace chimneys, green shutters on the windows and a red metal roof.

This vintage three bay structure near the driveway might have been used to store equipment or carriages.

I don’t believe it would be large enough to park a car in a bay.

It is a white wooden structure with an old metal roof.

White Freestand Garage or Storage Area

It was nice to walk near Merrybrook and think of all the history this home has seen.

It is very near to Centerville Road.  The surrounding area is full of new housing developments and a park.  You can still see a white Merrybrook sign hanging from a sign post on the busy roadway.

I’m glad the historic home of Merrybrook has survived urban sprawl and will help us learn about our past.