While searching for his lost brother, who fought in the French Indian War, James Mayo Hoge instead found his true love, and together they built a home on land he called Hayfield (now Belle Hampton Farm) in Dublin, Virginia.  Ownership of the property has remained within multi-generational family branches since its establishment in 1767.  For seven generations, the Hoge family has preserved this land, building a legacy rooted not only in agriculture and enterprise, but in the broader shaping of the region’s identity.

On September 6, 2026, the Belle Hampton Legacy Center, a 501(c)3, will proudly commemorate Belle Hampton’s beginnings in 1767 in concert with the founding spirit of America that followed in 1776.  The 250-Year National Celebration will honor historical milestones that transformed the country.

Through the centuries, the Belle Hampton Farm story has been deeply interwoven with the expansion of Southwestern Virginia.  Through service in local, state, and federal government, as well as the military, contributions to education and religious worship, leadership in industry with meaningful investment in community development, the Belle Hampton legacy reflects the values that shaped both a nation as well as a multi-generational family.

This celebration is more than a remembrance of the past; it is a tribute to those who carried the legacy forward and a call to inspire future generations to do the same. As we gather to honor 250 years of the United States, we celebrate not only the history of a farm, but the enduring spirit of the people and place that helped build Virginia and helped shape America.