Northampton County Homeschool Student Donates 3D-Printed Replica of Historic Arlington Plantation
Deputy County Administrator, Janice Williams receives a 3D printed replica of Arlington Plantation from creator, Caleb Dail in front of the Arlington Plantation historical display in the 1899 Courthouse of the Northampton County administration building in Eastville.
EASTVILLE, VA- In a significant contribution to local historical preservation, 16-year-old Caleb Dail, a homeschool student from Northampton County, has donated a 3D-printed replica of the long-lost Arlington Plantation to Northampton County. Arlington Plantation was the home of the notable Custis family. The exhibit "Northampton Notables: John Custis IV," in the Northampton County Administration building gives this information about John Custis IV:
“John Custis IV was born at his family's ancestral home, "Arlington," on Plantation Creek, in August of 1678. He was the son of John Custis III, a member of the Governor's Council in the British Colony of Virginia, and Margaret Michael, also of Northampton County. He was the grandson of John Custis II, a prominent figure in Northampton County politics and affairs of state during the Colonial period. "Arlington" was the place where Virginia's Governor William Berkeley took refuge during Bacon's rebellion in 1676.”
The home no longer stands but there was much written about it in historical records that a conjectural model of the mansion was produced by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in 1999. The tombs of John Custis II and John Custis IV still stand on the property. Custis Tombs are open to the public for visiting and are located at 2157 Arlington Chase Rd, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Please visit the Custis Tombs/Arlington Plantation page on our website for more information about the Custis family and visiting the tombs.
The Shore History Art Contest: A Catalyst for Creativity
Caleb Dail's journey into creating the Arlington Plantation model was sparked by his desire to participate in the Shore History Art Contest. The contest, designed to explore America's story through the lens of the Eastern Shore, challenged students in grades 6-12 to express their interpretations through various artistic mediums. The Shore History Facebook page states: "More than 45 students joined the challenge, each answering the question, "What does America's story mean to you?" through works in pencil, paint, photography, clay, and mixed media. The theme, "Through the Artist's Eye: 250 Years of America on the Eastern Shore of Virginia," encouraged participants to delve into themes of history, community, patriotism, landscape, family, and identity."
Shore History on the lawn at Ker Place held an art contest and show titled: A Revolutionary Art Show to Celebrate America's 250th
Caleb was determined to find a subject that would resonate with both the contest's theme and his personal interests. His exploration led him to the historical display at the Northampton County administration building, where he discovered Arlington Plantation. The Custis home, no longer stands, but the rich history and scant information surrounding it intrigued Caleb.
Caleb Dail holds his 3D printed model in front of the display case where the conjectural model of Arlington Plantation is displayed.
Drawing inspiration from the limited historical records and photographs, he embarked on creating a replica using his skills in 3D printing, a project that would blend his passion for 3D printing with the contest's call for historical exploration. Caleb received an Honorable Mention in the contest and after the art exhibition on June 13, 2026 at Ker Place in Onancock, he donated the piece to Northampton County.
A Blend of History and Technology
Caleb employed a CAD program to create the design, which was then translated into a printable format using a slicer. The model, crafted from plastic, features five distinct colors and took eight hours to print; brown for the main building, gray for the roof, brick-red for the chimneys, a red, white and blue flag at the base and a bright red inscription that reads, America's 250th Anniversary. Caleb spent two weeks perfecting the program, ensuring the model was accurate to scale using architectural descriptions.
Caleb Dail's involvement in 3D printing started three years ago at Joe Betite’s Drone and 3D Printing Club. Hosted by Earth Systems Management, the Drone and 3D Printing Club “works with homeschoolers across the Eastern Shore of Virginia, with students ranging the age from 11 to 16. The club’s mission is to shape tomorrow’s leaders by providing hands-on learning experiences. ESM teaches the art of building, designing, flying, and experimenting with technology, fostering growth in students’ technical abilities, ”as explained on their website.
The club evolved from focusing on drones to embracing 3D printing, captivating students' imaginations. Caleb's fascination with 3D printing quickly grew into a passion. With an eye for detail and a thirst for knowledge, he honed his skills, acquiring three personal 3D printers.
A Community Comes Together
As Caleb's skills developed, so did the community's infrastructure for 3D printing. A $197,000 grant was secured to advance 3D printing and technology education on the Eastern Shore. This grant aimed to equip both students and adults with valuable skills for emerging career paths. The funding allowed for the acquisition of an advanced 3D printer, which Caleb was eager to utilize. The lab is a work in progress and is known as AMAS4GM or Automated Manufacturing & Autonomous Systems 4GM which according to their website “provides hands-on training in advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, CNC machining, 3D design, and digital production workflows, preparing students and adults for high-demand technical careers on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and beyond.”
“The AMAS4GM grant was developed through the efforts of Pat Coady, President of Eastern Shore Foundation, Inc., with Joseph Betit, CEO of Earth Systems Management, LLC (ESM), assisting with this project,” explains the website. Read more about the grant funding on their website: https://amas4gm.ai/
The former library at the Northampton Community Center is being leased by AMAS4GM to offer a digital manufacturing and 3D-printing training center. In November of 2025, the Northampton County Board of Supervisors approved the lease unanimously “with several noting its alignment with local economic development needs and the availability of unused public space at the Community Center,” as quoted in an article in the Shore Daily News dated November 21, 2025.
The lab at the Community Center is still being prepared, and Caleb has been actively involved, coming in after school to paint and help prepare the space. Caleb has plans to teach 3D printing to others who come to the lab as he has excelled in the subject and has even outpaced his mentor, Mr. Betite, who is supportive of Caleb taking on a new role as instructor.
Broader Contributions and Future Prospects
Beyond the Arlington Plantation replica, Dail has utilized his 3D printing skills for projects including creating a prototype piece for a helicopter at Michael Steelman’s machine shop and creates components for the Cape Charles Sailing Camp boats where he works.
His mother, Jordan Dail, notes the potential of 3D printing technology: “It’s fascinating to see where this technology could lead. For instance, we learned that NASA, through a contact at Rocket Lab, is exploring 3D printing for their rockets. They literally print their rockets from start to finish, with 3D printers that are as large as warehouses. I can’t even imagine how that works, but it’s amazing how technology is advancing. Caleb is definitely on a path toward a career in engineering.”
The Arlington Plantation model now serves as an educational and historical resource for the Northampton County community, exemplifying the intersection of technology and historical preservation. Caleb Dail's work not only preserves a piece of local heritage but also inspires future exploration in the field of 3D printing.
Perhaps one day, Caleb will even 3D print an entire house!
Thank you, to Caleb Dail for his generous gift of the Arlington Plantation model. The model can be viewed at the Northampton County Administration Building at 16404 Courthouse Rd in Eastville in the historical display room where the Arlington Plantation Exhibit hangs in the 1899 courthouse portion of the building.
Jean E Flynn
Website Content Coordinator
Northampton County, VA