Welcome to our Wilbourn House Orchard

The Wilbourn House Orchard is located on main street in the village of Brownsburg, Virginia. We are in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where farmhouses, barns, cattle, and breathtaking scenery are just around the next bend.
This site is more than just photos and a few notes. It is a heartfelt story of following something that I love which has evolved over many years. A process that has persisted through heartaches and happiness. The story of a family who gives me space and encouragement and the ability to pursue something that I have always wanted to do.
I hope that it serves as inspiration for you that all things are possible. Just like everyone, I started with one tree, and then another, and, well….a lot more. I had little knowledge or tools or mentors. Just a passion to start something on my own that would grow and even thrive.
I had never grafted. I had never put together a webpage.
and here we are.
Why Wilbourn House? Our home is named for Thomas and Nannie Wilbourn who built the home here in 1885. Thomas’ father William Wilbourn invented the Wilbourn Saddle, and Thomas worked with his father in Brownsburg as a saddler and harness maker.

This is a wonderful photo of Thomas and Nannie Wilbourn taken in 1882, several months before their marriage. My home was built by them in 1885. The photo was taken by Michael Miley, a well known photographer from the area who was best known for his photo of Robert E. Lee on Traveller.
Another passion of mine is finding out the history of my home and those homes around me. At my local courthouse desk I ask “Is it possible to get a copy of their wedding certificate from 1882? If so, how long would it take?”
The answer “Just as long as it takes me to walk over to the printer and get it.”
Isn’t life amazing!