Belle Boyd House

The Belle Boyd House is a historic site operating as a museum and cultural hub. It is named after Marie Isabelle (later “Belle”) Boyd, a Confederate spy during the Civil War. Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in 1844, Boyd—often called the "Cleopatra of the Secession"—became well known for her ability to gather and relay critical information to Confederate forces. The house itself, built around 1853 by her father, Benjamin Reed Boyd, symbolizes her legacy and the turbulent times in which she lived.

Martinsburg was a strategically important town during the Civil War that changed hands repeatedly between Union and Confederate forces. Today, the site is managed by the Berkeley County Historical Society. It serves as a museum featuring Civil War-era artifacts, exhibits on Boyd’s life, and visual displays that explore the local history of Martinsburg and Berkeley County. Visitors can also learn about the town’s transportation history and strategic role during the war.

The two-story brick house, representative of mid-19th-century architecture, has been carefully restored to reflect its construction era. Open to the public, the museum offers guided tours that delve into Boyd’s story and the broader historical context of the area.