About

This farm was always referred to as “Cave Hill Farm” because the cave was such a great place for good, clean water right out of the ground.

It has withstood slavery, droughts, and dust storms in the early 1900s, financial stress in the 1930's and numerous kinds of disease with the livestock and crops. Hybrid seed, disease resistant crops, artificial breeding, persistence and good management helped save the farm. G.T. Hopkins, who bought the farm from his father-in-law, was an innovator and entrepreneur. He started Rockingham Springs which later became Massanutten Ski and Golf Resort, started in 1970 by his great-grandson, John L. Hopkins, III.

Cave Hill Farm has been a grain farm, producing some of the finest wheat for local use in nearby flour mills. It had a 15-acre wine growing operation in the late 1800's. In recent years, it has been a dairy and poultry farm, producing products for local processors. John L. Hopkins, John L. Hopkins, Jr. and John L. Hopkins, III were all born and raised here.

The original house was log. In 1830, an Englishman was employed to build this manor house, which took three years. The house has five bedrooms, two sitting areas, and dining room plus a small museum in the basement.