Hull Springs Farm's Historic Past

Many children on Virginia's Northern Neck spent portions of their summers at Camp Hull Springs. This group posed in front of the Camphouse (still in use).

Hull Springs Farm contains numerous archaeological sites, both prehistoric and historic.

Longwood University’s Archaeology Field School has been surveying the site since 1993.  Based on the evidence of projectile points types, and other stone tools, prehistoric Native American Indians were present as early as 3,800 years ago and based on the evidence of fired clay pottery shards and other ceramics, prehistoric presence continued up to the time of European contact. 

Dr. Jim Jordan, professor of anthropology, takes his class out to survey the Hull Springs Farm site.

There is also evidence of windowpane glass, wrought and cut nails, colonial ceramic shards, kaolin pipe stems, and wine bottle pieces indicate historic occupation in numerous areas as early as the 1680s.

According to Eddie Carey, the long time caretaker of the property, there used to be four additional homes on Hull Springs. One was the two-story home near the Camphouse where he and his family lived until about 1988. There was another two-story home near the entrance to Hull Springs, near the existing well head. This home and property were owned by Mr. Thompson before Mr. Ames bought it. A third home was located south of Mr. Thompson's home, along the state road. It was owned by Tom Roanes before it was purchased by Mr. Ames. The fourth home, also two stories, was located off of Route 621. A wellhead house, azaleas bushes and an unused electrical post still mark the area. Eddie Carey said that Mrs. Lee had this home razed, so it might be that this piece of property was added to Hull Springs Farm after Mr. Ames died, and the property was controlled by his daughter, Mary Farley Ames Lee.