Welcome to Heathsville
by Starke Jett
Historic Heathsville is the site of Northumberland County’s seat of government. The “mother” county was established in 1648 and originally covered the entire Northern Neck. Lancaster, Richmond and Westmoreland counties were formed from Northumberland. The county currently has a population of 12,400 people and covers an area of 222 square miles.
The town boasts several significant historic buildings including a 19th century courthouse, built in 1851; a restored 18th century Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern, circa 1795, and behind the courthouse and behind the old courthouse stands St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, built in 1874. A tall Civil War Memorial honoring the 40th Virginia Regiment stands in front of the old courthouse.
Heathsville is also the home of the Northumberland Public Library, the Northumberland YMCA, and the Northumberland Judicial Complex, completed in 1996. The new Northumberland Middle/High School, just a couple of miles down the road in Claraville was opened in 2010 and is next to the primary school, completed in 1996.
The middle/high school features a state of the art auditorium that is rapidly becoming the preferred venue for many community events. The Tavern hosts a popular farmers’ market the third Saturday of every month from April to October. It features a variety of produce, crafts and baked goods, as well as displays from various local organizations.
St. Stephen’s is the site of the popular Strawberry Festival held each spring on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. It draws more than 100 artists and crafters and lots of fresh strawberries. The church is also the site for a Harvest Festival on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend with locally grown produce and the same vendors.
The town is also the home for St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, which was separated from the Anglican Church in 2006. The Heathsville United Methodist Church, just down the street, was built in 1892 and hosts several events each year.
The Northumberland County Historical Society, established in 1963, occupies a building built in 1976, adjacent to the old county jail, built in 1839. Historic Springfield, across the street, is a private home that was a plantation started in 1828.
The YMCA is renovating the old Northumberland High School to serve as its physical location. It is hoped to have the renovations, including a new outdoor pool, completed sometime in the first quarter of 2011.
The library was chartered in 1969. It moved into its present location in 1996. It is open six days a week, except Sunday, and boasts over 35,000 volumes in a growing collection, according to director Jayne McQuade. It also sponsors shows featuring local artists in its meeting room.
(most are free to the public)
Farmers’ Market - April to October
Third Saturday of every month: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern - Ellen Hollows.
580-3377
Kentucky Derby Party - May
First Saturday: noon – 4 p.m.
Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern - Ellen Hollows.
580-3377
Tickets: Call for details
Strawberry Festival - Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Stephen’s Anglican Church - George and Jan Beckett
580-5179
Fish Fry - Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Heathsville United Methodist Church
580-3630
Fee - $10
Harvest Festival - Labor Day Weekend
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Stephen’s Anglican Church - George and Jan Beckett
580-5179
Quilt Show Auction - October 1–2
Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern - Ellen Hollows
580-3377
Tickets: $10
Brunswick Stew Sale - November
First Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Heathsville United Methodist Church
580-3630
Golden Village Christmas - December
First Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern - Ellen Hollows
580 - 3377
Important websites: Heathsville
• Northumberland County
• Rice’s Hotel/ Hughlett’s Tavern
• St. Stephen’s Anglican Church
