Historic Hoskins Country Store

08/02/2026

.🌿 A Little Piece of history at Hoskins Country Store 🌿

Greeting this week's guests in the kitchen of Hoskins Country Store is this hand-painted Lenox vase by artist Pearle Hundley Kamp Parsells, filled with fragrant rosemary freshly clipped from the property.

Pearle's grandmother, Pearl Garnett Hundley, was born just behind the store at historic Hundley Hall. Pearl's sister, Ella Garnett Hundley Hoskins, married Willard Dunbar Hoskins, the proprietor of Hoskins Country Store.

We love weaving little pieces of local history throughout the store, hoping every guest leaves with memories—and maybe a story or two—they'll carry home.

07/20/2026

📚 One of our favorite things about Hoskins Country Store is filling it with pieces of history.

Among the treasures you'll find are several well-worn 19th-century schoolbooks and an original student report card from 1897. Imagine the hands that turned these pages and the lessons memorized by lamplight.

JTT Hundley, who lived next door at Hundley Hall and later had Hoskins Country Store built for his son-in-law, Willard Dunbar Hoskins, devoted much of his life to education. He served as both a local teacher and principal, helping shape the minds of children in this community more than a century and a half ago.

History isn't just something displayed on the shelves here—it's woven into the story of this place. We hope these little glimpses into the past make your stay at Hoskins Country Store even more meaningful.

Have a favorite piece of history you've discovered during your visit? We'd love to hear about it! 📖

07/16/2026

There's something especially cozy about arriving at Hoskins Country Store and finding breakfast waiting for you. ☀️🥖

This weekend's guests treated themselves to a wonderful assortment of handcrafted breakfast favorites: fresh artisan sourdough bread, homemade muffins, quiche, and preserves—all lovingly made by our friend and neighbor, Michael Lombardo, right here on our little historic road.

Michael's baking has become a favorite throughout our area and is also served at Act XII Wine & Provisions and the historic 1710 Tavern. We're delighted to offer our guests the opportunity to add his fresh, locally made breakfast items to their stay.

It's one more way we love connecting our guests with the people and flavors that make our corner of Virginia so special. 🍞🫐🥧☕

07/12/2026

We've made a small pricing update to our Airbnb listing and wanted to let everyone know why.

Airbnb recently changed the way they handle booking fees, shifting those fees from guests to hosts. Because of this, we've adjusted our nightly rate to reflect the new pricing structure.

The good news? The total amount you pay is the same as it would have been under the previous fee structure. The cost hasn't increased—it's simply displayed differently.

We're grateful for your continued support of our little 1889 country store and look forward to welcoming you soon! ❤️

07/09/2026

A last-minute cancellation means Hoskins Country Store is available this weekend!

If you've been thinking about a relaxing getaway, this is the perfect opportunity.

Just off Rt. 17, this cozy 1889 country store—now a listed historic landmark and one-of-a-kind Airbnb—is full of charm, character, and history. Located near Tappahannock, the Rappahannock River, and some of Virginia's most picturesque small towns, it's the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a quieter pace.

Whether you're looking for a peaceful weekend, a little history, or a scenic home base for exploring the Northern Neck, we'd love to welcome you.

Book your stay here:
https://airbnb.com/h/hoskinscountrystore

07/06/2026

Today, a trail camera was installed in the meadow just beyond our Airbnb as part of the Virginia Gray Fox Project, a statewide research effort led by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Deer, wild turkeys, songbirds, red foxes, and countless other creatures call these woods and fields home. Over the coming months, this camera may even capture one of Virginia's most elusive residents—the gray fox.

We're proud that our little corner of Essex County can contribute to wildlife conservation while giving our guests a chance to experience the beauty of nature firsthand. Who knows... during your stay, you might spot some of the same wildlife our trail camera records!

*Photo of a red fox captured on our own trail cam! *

Learn more about the Virginia Gray Fox Project here:
https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-06-10/where-are-all-of-virginias-gray-foxes-researchers-are-trying-to-find-out

🌿 Stay where history and nature meet.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 A Fourth of July in 1889 🇺🇸

This Independence Day, we're taking a step back to the year Hoskins Country Store first opened its doors.

On the Fourth of July in 1889, Americans gathered in town squares, churchyards, and village greens across the country to hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud—a tradition that had been passed down through generations. President Benjamin Harrison, only a few months into his presidency, joined thousands of citizens in Woodstock, Connecticut, where he reminded the nation that the Constitution was a "mutual covenant" between its people and their government.

Here in Virginia, families would have celebrated much as they had for decades—with community picnics, patriotic speeches, music drifting through the summer air, children eagerly awaiting fireworks, and neighbors gathering to celebrate the freedoms they cherished.

As we celebrate today, we can't help but wonder what the Fourth of July looked like here in Dunnsville during Hoskins Country Store's very first summer. While so much has changed since 1889, the spirit of community and the joy of gathering together remain timeless.
❤️🤍💙

06/27/2026

Something fun to do in Historic Downtown Tappahannock!

Remember to stop by the Museum and see the new traveling exhibit, GIVE ME LIBERTY! We'll have this on display along with some great locally focused Revolutionary War exhibits through August 1st, so don't miss it!

The Essex County Museum is free to the public, and open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am-3pm. We will be closed on July 4th for the holiday.

06/26/2026

Fresh flowers and mint for the front porch today 🌻🐝🦋🌻