America's last known hand-poled ferry could become a casualty of ebbing state finances and politics.

On July 1, Virginia stops funding the Hatton Ferry. Unless private donors, nonprofits or local governments find the cash to keep it open, its last crossing of the James River is Sunday afternoon, weather permitting.

The ferry hasn't been commercially significant in decades. But for residents of the area, it's a treasure of the heart, not a balance sheet asset.

Albemarle's Board of Supervisors votes July 1 on spending $5,000 to keep the ferry afloat through September. The board hopes private or nonprofit benefactors will step in and defray the cost.