Experience History. Celebrate Community. Carry the Legacy Forward.
While searching for his brother, who had fought in the French and Indian War, James Mayo Hoge instead found his true love, and together they established a home on land he named Hayfield, now known as Belle Hampton Farm in Dublin, Virginia. Since its founding in 1767, the property has remained within the extended Hoge family for seven generations; a rare and enduring example of family stewardship, perseverance, and legacy.
Over the centuries, Belle Hampton became more than a family homestead. It became a living reflection of how families shape communities through agriculture, entrepreneurship, public service, faith, education, and leadership. The story of Belle Hampton is not simply the preservation of land and buildings, but the preservation of the people, values, and enterprises that helped shape Southwestern Virginia and contributed to the broader American story.
On September 6, 2026, the Belle Hampton Legacy Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preservation, education, and inspiration, will host a 250-Year National Celebration honoring both Belle Hampton’s founding in 1767 and the spirit of America’s founding in 1776.
Held at the Shuffle Back Pond Pavillion on Belle Hampton Farm, the event will bring history to life through guided tours of the historic family residence and cemetery, storytelling, reenactments, educational speakers, crafts, family activities, and regional food offerings from Back Creek Wagyu.
More importantly, the celebration reflects the broader mission of the Legacy Center: to preserve not only historic structures, but also the stories of families and family businesses that built our communities; to educate families about the “business of the family,” including stewardship, leadership, values, and generational continuity; and to inspire future generations to carry those legacies forward with purpose and vision.
Throughout history, families have passed down more than land or wealth. They have passed down wisdom, resilience, relationships, traditions, and responsibility. The Belle Hampton Legacy Center exists to ensure those treasures are not lost. By connecting heritage with education and innovation, the organization seeks to help families strengthen identity, cultivate leadership, and create lasting impact for generations to come.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this gathering serves as both a celebration and a call to action, reminding us that preserving the future begins with understanding the past. This is more than a commemoration of history. It is an invitation to honor those who came before us, strengthen the families and enterprises of today, and inspire the next generation to continue the story.
Celebrate our heritage. Preserve our stories. Inspire the future. Carry the legacy forward.