Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel / Hughlett's Tavern

06/26/2026

Preserving History. Inspiring Creativity.

Today we unveil the new logo for the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern.

More than a new design, this logo celebrates over 230 years of history while reflecting the creativity, craftsmanship, and community that define Virginia's Northern Neck. Featuring a watercolor illustration of our historic landmark, it represents a place where art, heritage, education, and community come together.

From the Tavern Café and Artisan Store to the Heathsville Farmers Market, Artists' studios, Traditional Craft Workshops, and our Traditional Guilds, the logo symbolizes all that our historic property has to offer. This new identity will become a welcoming symbol of our mission to preserve the past while inspiring future generations.

We invite you to visit, explore, and experience everything the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center has to offer.

06/24/2026

Our talented local artists have been busy creating, and the gift shop is filled with beautiful new handcrafted treasures waiting to be discovered!

If you've been looking for Janice Stewart's popular greeting cards, great news, they're back!

Whether you're searching for a unique gift, one-of-a-kind artwork, or something special for yourself, there's always something new to explore at the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center.

And while you're here, treat yourself to a delicious homemade lunch at the Tavern Café. Great art, unique gifts, and wonderful food and it's the perfect way to spend your day in historic Heathsville!

06/24/2026

Tavern Café Specials | June 24 - July 1

Join us at the Tavern Café at Hughlett's Tavern for another week of fresh, homemade favorites!

Whether you're stopping by for lunch, homemade soup, fresh-baked bread, or dessert, there's always something special waiting for you.

Bring a friend, relax, and enjoy great food in the historic charm of Hughlett's Tavern. We look forward to seeing you!

This week's specials:

Pulled Pork BBQ – $14
Slow-cooked pulled pork served with creamy coleslaw and your choice of Moonshine BBQ Sauce or Carolina Tangy Gold Sauce.

Quiche – $9
Served with a fresh side salad.

Lorraine
Western (Peppers, Onion & Ham)
Asparagus, Mushroom & Dill

Soup of the Week

Bean Pot with Bacon – Cup $7 • Bowl $8

Served with your choice of fresh bread or Hashbrown Casserole for an additional $1.

Hashbrown Casserole (à la carte) – $2

Salad plates available upon request.

Desserts

Upside-Down Boston Cream Pie – $6
Tiramisu – $6

Fresh from the Bakery

Artisan Sourdough – $15
Almond Brioche – $12
Everything Bagel Pull-Aparts – $16
Portuguese Pull-Aparts – $12
Sour Cream Cinnamon Swirl – $12
Challah – $9
Fresh-Baked Scones – $4
Assorted Cookies – $1.50

In a hurry? Call ahead for take-out!
804-580-7900

06/21/2026

Hand-Forged Daffodil Blacksmithing Class

Step back in time and experience one of America's oldest crafts at the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern. Spend the day in Dan's Forge, learning traditional blacksmithing techniques as you create a beautiful hand-forged steel daffodil—a unique work of art to display on a table, shelf, or mantel for years to come.

Using hammer, anvil, and forge, you'll shape each petal and leaf by hand just as Tavern Blacksmith’s Guild have done for generations. At the end of the class, our instructors will professionally weld your pieces together, allowing you to take home a handcrafted keepsake you'll treasure.

Class Information

Date: Saturday, September 5
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (or until your flower is complete)
Location: Dan's Forge, behind the Tavern at the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center
Class Fee: $75 per person (includes all tools, steel, and materials)
Age Requirement: Participants must be 16 years of age or older
Class Size: Limited to just 8 students for personalized instruction

Whether you're a beginner or simply looking to experience a traditional craft, this immersive workshop offers a rare opportunity to preserve a centuries-old art while creating a one-of-a-kind hand-forged daffodil in one of Virginia's most historic settings.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Space is limited to only eight participants, and advance registration is required.

For reservations and additional information:

Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern
804-580-3377
nnheritageartscenter.org

06/18/2026

Experience the Best of Historic Heathsville!

There's always something happening at the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern and Saturday, June 27, is the perfect time to visit!

Heathsville Farmers Market | 9 AM–1 PM June 27
Shop fresh local produce, homemade baked goods, artisan crafts, local honey, flowers, handmade gifts, and so much more from talented farmers, bakers, and makers across the Northern Neck.

Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center
Browse inspiring local art, discover unique exhibits, meet local artists, and experience the creativity that makes our community so special.

Tavern Café - During the Framer's Market it's an outside cafe!
Open Thursday–Saturday | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Enjoy a delicious homemade lunch, fresh soups, sandwiches, baked treats, and artisan breads while you're here.

Step Back in Time
Explore the historic Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern campus and make a day of it in beautiful Heathsville.

Fresh from the Farm. Handmade from the Heart.
Inspired by the Arts.

Bring your family, invite your friends, and spend your Saturday where history, art, food, and community come together. We can't wait to welcome you!

06/17/2026

Celebrate the Fourth with Local Art, Handmade Gifts & Great Food!

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and our talented local artists have been busy creating beautiful patriotic décor, unique gifts, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, paintings, textiles, and so much more!

Whether you're looking for the perfect holiday decoration, a one-of-a-kind gift, or something special for yourself, you'll find it in our Shoppe and Guild spaces.

While you're here, treat yourself to a delicious homemade lunch at the Tavern Café, it's the perfect way to complete your visit!

Open Thursday–Saturday | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Come experience the charm of the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern, where local art, history, and community come together. We look forward to welcoming you soon!

06/17/2026

Tavern Café Specials | June 18–20

Join us at the Tavern Café at Hughlett's Tavern for another week of fresh, homemade favorites!

Whether you're stopping by for lunch, homemade soup, fresh-baked bread, or dessert, there's always something special waiting for you.

Bring a friend, relax, and enjoy great food in the historic charm of Hughlett's Tavern. We look forward to seeing you!

This week's specials:

Feature: Ham and Leek Pie…$13
With puff pastry topping, this is a winner!
And if you catch Diane in the produce section hugging my husband, let me know!

Soup: Three Bean with Roasted Pepper…$8/7
Simply delicious and vegetarian, too

Quiche: Your choice, with side salad…$9
Lorraine - Bacon, onion, and Swiss
Western - Peppers, onion, bacon, and ham - live it up! and cheese
Mushroom arugula, onion and dill

Salad plates available on request

Dessert:
Towering Lemon Cake with a cream cheese frosting…$6
Berry Parfait - strawberries and blueberries…$5

From the Bakery:
New! Marble Rye…$12
Artisan Sourdough…$15
Portuguese Pull-aparts…$12
Cinnamon Raisin Swirl…$12
Challah…$9
Cookies - assorted…$1.50

06/17/2026

Discover the art of woodturning!

The Tavern Woodworkers Guild invites you to an introductory Woodturning Lathe Workshop designed for beginners. Learn safe lathe operation, tool selection, and basic turning techniques from experienced instructors in a hands-on class.

Then create something beautiful and functional by turning a custom handle for a kitchen tool such as an antique-style pepper grinder, ice cream scoop, bottle opener, or wine bottle stopper.

Workshop begins on July 11

Space is limited, so register today!

Saturday, July 11. 2026

06/16/2026

When you visit the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern, you're stepping into more than 230 years of local history.

Originally built around 1795 by John Hughlett as a courthouse tavern, the building provided food, lodging, and a gathering place for travelers, merchants, attorneys, and visitors conducting business at the nearby courthouse. Over the years, the structure was expanded and evolved into Rice's Hotel, serving guests throughout the 1800s and early 1900s.

After operating as a hotel, the building was converted into apartments before being donated to the Northumberland County Historical Society in 1990. Volunteers then undertook a remarkable restoration effort to preserve one of Virginia's finest surviving courthouse taverns.

Today, the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center continues that tradition of community gathering. Visitors can explore artisan guilds, shop for handcrafted goods, shop at the farmer's market, enjoy the Tavern Café, attend classes and events, and experience the rich history of Heathsville's courthouse green.

06/16/2026

While visiting the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center at Rice's Hotel & Hughlett's Tavern be sure to stop next door and explore one of Northumberland County's most fascinating landmarks, the Historic Old Jail.

Built in 1839, the Old Jail served Northumberland County for 119 years and was one of the oldest operating county jails in Virginia when it closed in 1958. It once housed debtors, accused criminals awaiting trial, and others awaiting transfer to state institutions.

In 1918, a steel cellblock was added that could hold up to 24 prisoners, who slept in hammocks suspended inside the cells. Today, visitors can still see many of the original features and imagine what life was like behind those brick walls nearly two centuries ago.

Saved from demolition in 1963 by local citizens, the jail's preservation helped launch the Northumberland County Historical Society and protect the rich history of Heathsville for future generations.

Explore local art, shop, and take a step back in time—all in one visit!

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/northumberlandvahistory