"The Homeplace"
Welcome to The Homeplace in Irvington, Virginia! Irvington sits on Carter’s Creek in the Northern Neck of Virginia. The creek is a tributary to the Rappahannock River. The town is quite small but has an extensive history. Before it became the town it is today, the area was home to the Rappahannock Indian Tribe. The group spoke a dialect of Algonquian which can be reflected in the naming of the surrounding landscape.The Rappahannock’s capital town was “Topahanocke”, which evolved into the town of Tappahannock after contact. It was in this town where they had close contact with Captain John Smith in December 1607. Initially, Smith was accused of crimes against the tribe that occurred three years prior, but he was ultimately found innocent. Smith later returned to the area and mapped fourteen Rappahannock villages.Many, many years later, a one room house was built on this property in Irvington. The home belonged to many generations of the Haydon family, later known as the Lumpkin family, and ultimately the Nunally family in the 1960s. In the 1990s, Wayne and Fran Nunally decided to transform the house into a space of gathering and culture. The originally farmhouse was raised and built around, maintaining many of its original elements.The Homeplace is a private residence, but welcomes family, friends, neighbors, interlopers, and even curious passersby. This house has been a pivotal place in my life and is the backdrop for most of my summers since I was little. Although I am not genetically related to the Nunally family, they are the epitome of family made by love instead of blood.https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/rappahannock-tribe/#:~:text=They%20spoke%20a%20dialect%20of,that%20was%20ruled%20by%20Powhatan.https://www.rappahannocktribe.org/tribal-history/https://www.town.irvington.va.us/history
Carter's Creek
Well, now that we’ve visited the house, let’s walk down towards the creek! Carter’s Creek, formally known as “Carter’s Creek Wharf”, served as a prominent steamboat waterway between the 1890s and early 1900s. While there is still some evidence of the town’s steamboat history, today the creek is home to a historic marine resort known as the Tides Inn, as well as a historic ferry line. The Captain John Quincy Adams’ ferry line, that still operates today, was initially the only way to cross the creek because there was no bridge. The Tides Inn is a opened in 1947 and has played a pivotal role in offering lodgings and relaxation to tourists from all over. On any summer day in the creek, you will find crabbers, jet skis, water sports, and fishing. The creek is relatively small, so visitors must share the water with the local marine life, like stinging nettles.The creek has many sand bars, beaches, and cliffs that are home to a huge variety of wildlife. One section of cliffs on the creek is known as the Fones Cliffs. Today, the Fones Cliffs are part of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Only one parcel of the cliffs belongs to the Rappahannock Tribe, and the area serves as a part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/the-rappahannock-river-at-carters-wharf-is-rich-with-history-and-wildlife/https://www.waterwayguide.com/waterway/57/carter-creek-vahttps://www.town.irvington.va.us/history
Robert O. Norris Bridge
While the Robert O. Norris Bridge does not have an extensive history, it hold significant meaning to my life and my family. The bridge, locally referred to as the “Norris Bridge” or “Whitestone Bridge”, was built in 1957. The bridge was built with the purpose of making transportation easier and allowing more options than just the ferry.The bridge is an iconic figure in my life. When I was growing up, the bridge was terrifying to me, but only if we were driving across it. Once we were on the water, it assumes its role as a beautiful structure that was magical to cross under.https://www.town.irvington.va.us/history
Stingray Point, Deltaville, Virginia
Stingray Point is located in Deltaville, Va. It is a bit of a drive from Irvington by car, but by boat it is only a twenty-minute ride. The views out to the point are incredible and the point is home to lots of history. The point initially received its name from an injury sustained by Captain John Smith. Smith was attempting to fish, when he was stung by a stingray. The injury was so severe that Smith ordered his men to prepare a funeral, but Smith survived. After the injury, he dubbed the area “Stingray Isle”. It is also important to note, that this voyage went against a previously made agreement with the Powhatan people.This side of the river is home to four main tribes: the Chiskia, Kecoughtan, Piankatank, and the Werowocomoco. The tribe that the area was initially inhabited by was the Piankatank Tribe. In the 1600s, the Piankatank tribe was relatively small with a population of 633.https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1944.46.2.02a00040https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/john-smith-voyages.htmhttps://museumsofmiddlesex.com/the-story-of-stingray-point-deltaville-virginia/
"The Tides"
Upon entering Carter’s Creek, the first thing in your line of sight is the Tides Inn Resort. The Tides Inn, or “The Tides”, is one of the crown jewels of Irvington. It serves as a focal point in the creek, as well as in the town. The Tides opened its doors for the first time in July 1947. Prior to 1947, the property on the water was known as the Ashburn Farm. It was owned by the Stephens family, led by the matriarch, “Miss Ann”. Ann Stephens was known for watching over the waterway, and she often made it her mission to provide accommodations for steamboat crews that needed somewhere to stay.My personal connection to the Tides also is one of comfort, but not because of its comfortable lodgings. The Tides is the location of afternoon lemonade and cookies with my grandfather. It is where my friends and I would dress up in my grandmother’s hats and have dinner “like grownups”. It was also responsible for the Fourth of July fireworks show that I looked forward to every year as a child.https://www.tidesinn.com/irvington-va-hotel/https://www.town.irvington.va.us/history
