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Public Opening of the Thomas Hunley General Store & Post Office
June 22, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
General stores and post offices were both a mainstay and a way of life in Mathews County years ago. They were the gathering spots and the epicenters of each of the respective communities throughout the county.
On Saturday, June 22, 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, Mathews “newest general store” will open its doors to the public. The Tommy Hunley General Store/post office will receive its first official customers at Saturday’s open reception at the Mathews Museum, 200 Main Street, where the new general store is now an official permanent exhibit.
Ray Hunley, longtime commissioner of revenue in Mathews, donated both a significant collection of his father’s general store/post office memorabilia as well as many hours of his personal time, lovingly and patiently recreating a “mini” general store within the walls of the Museum. Years ago, Ray’s father, Tommy Hunley, was an employee of the Virginia Power Company, and as part of his job, he would travel throughout the county, visiting the various general stores, and meeting with the owners. As time went by, and the general stores closed, he would acquire much of the products and artifacts from the stores and store them in his own one room building on Church Street.
“All of the contents of this store were original, no reproductions. He had visitors from all over the world visit his store over the years, including two Virginia Governors,” said Ray Hunley. “ He was highlighted on two evening news shows on Wavy TV and WTKR TV. It was his wish that the contents be preserved and made available to the citizens of Mathews as a memory of past times. Many of the contents are one-of-a-kind or one-of-a-few.”
Tommy Hunley passed away in 2005, and his wish was to continue the memories and share the history. Ray and his wife Doris felt that the collection could best be displayed at the Museum. The general store exhibit now officially resides within the walls of the Mathews Museum and will now be open to the public, honoring Tommy Hunley’s wishes.
The Museum announces the store’s grand opening on Saturday, June 22nd. Museum President Tom Robinson says, “Mathews Museum is pleased and honored to own this collection, and we want the museum to be a real place to visit in Mathews.”
Visit www.mathewsvamuseum.org for more information.
