Evergreen (Haymarket, Virginia) facts for kids
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Evergreen
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Evergreen, HABS Photo, 1937
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15900 Berkeley Dr., near Haymarket, Virginia |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | c. 1827 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000247 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 27, 2008 |
Evergreen, also known as Evergreen Plantation Manor House, is a historic house located near Haymarket, Virginia, in Prince William County, Virginia. It was once a large farm. The house is known for its connection to Edmund Berkeley (1824-1915). He was a leader during the American Civil War and later helped his community. He also worked to bring peace between former soldiers.
Contents
Evergreen's History
Building a Home and Farm
Lewis Berkeley (1777-1836) built the Evergreen house around 1827. He moved there from his farm near Aldie, Virginia. His son, Edmund Berkeley, later inherited Evergreen.
When Edmund married Mary Lawson Williams, her father offered him a choice. He could receive either land or enslaved people as a dowry. A dowry was a gift given when a woman married. Edmund chose the enslaved people. This meant dozens of people were forced to walk from Tennessee to the farm in northern Virginia. By 1860, the Berkeley family owned 52 enslaved people at Evergreen. These individuals were forced to work without pay or freedom. This was a common but terrible practice in that time.
The Civil War Years
Edmund Berkeley formed a local group of soldiers called the "Evergreen Guards." This group joined seven others to form the 8th Virginia Infantry regiment. This regiment fought for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Edmund's younger brothers, Norborne and William, also joined. Their youngest brother, Charles, was also a soldier.
The 8th Virginia Infantry fought bravely in many battles. It was sometimes called the "Berkeley Regiment" because so many brothers were leaders. Norborne Berkeley became a colonel, and Edmund became a lieutenant colonel. William became a major, and Charles was a senior captain.
During Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg, the unit lost 90% of its soldiers. Edmund, Norborne, and William Berkeley were all wounded. Only Edmund was not captured. His three brothers were later exchanged for Union prisoners. They returned to duty by March 1864. Norborne later resigned due to severe health problems. William and Charles were captured again near the end of the war in April 1865.
After the War: Peace and Preservation
After the war, Edmund Berkeley returned to Evergreen to rebuild his farm. He also started a local farming group. His brothers Norborne and William returned to farm nearby lands. Norborne faced many financial problems and lived at different family homes, including Evergreen, where he died in 1911.
Edmund Berkeley became very involved in activities to remember the war. He was part of the United Confederate Veterans, a group for former Confederate soldiers. He was the highest-ranking Confederate officer in his home county.
Edmund Berkeley also worked with a Union veteran, Lt. George Carr Round. Together, they helped plan the Manassas Peace Jubilee in 1911. This event brought together former Union and Confederate soldiers for peace. He also helped Round's efforts to create Manassas National Battlefield Park. This park protects the sites of the First Battle of Bull Run and the Second Battle of Bull Run. The 8th Virginia Infantry fought in both of these battles. A historic marker for the Manassas Peace Jubilee is located at Evergreen.
What Evergreen Looks Like
Classic Design Features
Evergreen is a large, two-and-a-half-story stone house. It has a style called Greek Revival. This style was popular in the 1800s and looks like ancient Greek temples. The house also has parts added around 1940 in the Colonial Revival style.
The house has a strong stone foundation called an English basement. It has a pointed roof and chimneys inside the walls. The front of the house has a one-story porch with a triangle-shaped roof. The back of the house has a large, two-story porch with tall, round columns. These columns are in the Doric order, a simple and strong Greek style.
From Golf Club to Historic Inn
Around 1970, the land around Evergreen was turned into a golf club. By 2007, local people worried that the house was not being used and might fall apart. Instead, a group was formed to help save it.
In 2008, Evergreen was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical places in the United States. After this, the house was turned into the "Inn at Evergreen." It now has eleven bedrooms and modern comforts, all while keeping its historic look.
