Dr. Benjamin Hubert founded the Camilla-Zach Country Life Center in 1933. Hubert was the son of Camilla and Zacharias Hubert, the first Black landowners in Hancock County, Georgia. Dr. Hubert was president of the Georgia State College for Colored Youth, now known as Savannah State University.

Before he became president, Hubert became involved in the Country Life Movement, which was focused on making rural life attractive as more families relocated to urban areas. After he became president, he established the Association for the Advancement of Negro Country Life. With the backing of Northern donors, he worked to transform Springfield into an exemplary Black community.

Hubert purchased several hundred acres of farmland in the Springfield Community. He opened the Camilla-Zach Country Life Center to host educational seminars on farming practices. It became a hub for community activities.

It is a contributing property to the Camilla-Zach Community Center District.

*Zacharias Hubert’s name is often shortened to Zack or Zach. There seems to be no consistent spelling of his nickname.