Winterham, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winterham, Virginia
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Mt. Herman Presbyterian Church building, before restoration
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 Winterham, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Winterham, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Amelia |
| Elevation | 338 ft (103 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
23002
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| Area code(s) | 804 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1477890 |
Winterham, sometimes called "Ham," is a small, quiet community in the middle of Amelia County, Virginia. It is a rural area, not a big city with its own government. Winterham is located along U.S. Route 360 and Virginia State Route 628. It sits about 338 feet (103 meters) above sea level. The community gets its fire and mail services from Amelia Court House, which is the main town in Amelia County. Amelia Court House is about 3 miles southwest of Winterham.
Contents
History of Winterham
Winterham is one of the oldest place names in Amelia County. It has been around since at least the mid-1700s. The name "Winterham" might have come from an old word meaning "home" or "village."
Early Days and the Railroad
The name "Winterham" first referred to the Winterham Plantation. This historic plantation is located about 4 miles northwest of the community. Its main house and other buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
By 1853, a post office was opened in the community of Winterham. In the early 1900s, Winterham became a stop for freight trains. It was part of the Southern Railway, which was originally the Richmond and Danville Railroad. Today, the train tracks are still used by freight trains. The Norfolk Southern Railway now owns these tracks. The old train station and post office in Winterham have since closed.
Historic African American Churches
Winterham is home to important historic churches. Mt. Olive Baptist Church is an old African American church. It is located just northeast of Winterham.
Mt. Herman Presbyterian Church is also nearby. It was once a meeting place for another African American church group. This church building was built in the late 1800s. Over time, it fell into disrepair. However, it was fully restored in 2020. As of 2023, a church called Church of the Holy Cross meets regularly in the restored building.
Morefield Mine: A Gem of Amelia County
The Morefield Mine is located about 1 mile southeast of Winterham. It is one of several mines in Amelia County that have found valuable rocks and gems. This mine sits on a very large and thick vein of pegmatite. Pegmatite is a type of rock that can contain many rare minerals.
The Morefield Mine opened in 1929. Since then, it has produced mica, feldspar, and many beautiful gems. Some of these gems are so special they are displayed in museums. The mine has operated on and off over the years. Sometimes it works as a full mining operation, and sometimes it is a tourist attraction. Amelia County is known for having some of the largest mica and feldspar deposits in Virginia.
