The Burke, Virginia Collection, 1830-2016

Access and use

Location of collection:
Fairfax County Public Library
Fairfax County Public Library
City of Fairfax Regional Library
Virginia Room
10360 North Street
Fairfax, VA 22030-2514
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Chris Barbuschak
Phone: (703) 293-2142
Phone: (703) 293-6227 ext. 6 (Virginia Room)
Fax: (703) 293-2155

Summary

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Creator:
Virginia Room Staff
Abstract:
The Burke, Virginia Collection consists of 1.0 linear feet and spans the years 1830-2016 consisting of reports, correspondence, newspaper clippings, newsletters, brochures, pamphlets, photocopies, philatelic covers, framed needlework art, a commemorative pin, a poster, hand drawn map, and book inscribed and formerly owned by Silas Burke.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Burke, Virginia Collection consists of 1.0 linear feet and spans the years 1830-2016 consisting of reports, correspondence, newspaper clippings, newsletters, brochures, pamphlets, photocopies, philatelic covers, framed needlework art, a commemorative pin, a poster, hand drawn map, and book inscribed and formerly owned by Silas Burke. Subjects include the history of Burke, Virginia, Burke Centre Conservancy, and the Copperthite Racetrack.

Biographical / historical:

The namesake of Burke, Virginia is Col. Silas Burke (1796-1854) who lived in Fairfax County near the Fitzhugh family’s Ravensworth plantation. In 1854, the area became known as “Burke’s Station” because Col. Burke donated land to the Orange and Alexandria Railroad for a right of way and a railroad station. During the Civil War, the area saw heavy action. Burke’s notable claim to fame occurred on December 28, 1862 when Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart raided Burke’s Station, seized supplies and the telegraph office, and sent a telegram to Union Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs complaining of the poor quality of mules he had captured.

After the war, Burke remained a sleepy village until June 13, 1951, when the United States Justice Department posted a public notice in the Burke post office announcing that the government condemned 4,520 acres of land in the Burke area for the new Washington airport. The citizens fought a successful battle against the airport’s construction and the government relocated the airport to Chantilly, Virginia where it is today known as Dulles International Airport. Since then, Burke has grown significantly with the construction of housing subdivisions and land development.

Acquisition information:
The Virginia Room staff artificially created this collection over a period of time. Nan Netherton donated several items in this collection in March 1993 and staff continue to add to it. Mike Copperthite donated the oversize poster of the Copperthite Race Track Historic Marker Dedication and Celebration in May 2017. The book inscribed and formerly owned by Silas Burke was acquired from a book seller in Maryland in July 2022. John Turbyfill donated the philatelic covers from the opening and closing of the Burke Post Offices in February 2024.