History

For more than 300 years, there has been a place for the community to gather behind the courthouse in Heathsville. Built and operated by generations of the Hughlett family, Rice's Hotel / Hughlett's Tavern is one of the oldest surviving wood structures on Virginia’s Northern Neck and is listed on both the Virginia and National Registers of Historic Places. Beginning as a colonial tavern and inn, the building later became Rice’s Hotel and over the years also served as a store, boarding house, and even DMV offices. For centuries, it has remained at the center of community life, welcoming travelers, neighbors, and new ideas.

Today, Historic Rice's Hotel / Hughlett's Tavern Foundation carries that tradition forward as a lively center for history, arts, and local culture. The site is home to guilds for blacksmithing, quilting, woodworking, and spinning and weaving, where traditional crafts are still practiced and shared. Visitors can enjoy the café, browse the artisan store, attend workshops and festivals, and explore the popular farmers market. Rice’s Hotel / Hughlett’s Tavern continues to be a welcoming gathering place for the Northern Neck community and its visitors.