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August 2024
CANCELED: Lighthouse Keepers of Mathews County: Presentation by Benn Trask
*THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED* Benn Trask, noted historian, educator, Marine Corps veteran, librarian and museum curator, is the author of numerous books, including academic works on the Virginia Civil War regimental histories series. Most recently, he has written “Lighthouses of Hampton Roads: A History,” on the eleven light stations of Southeastern Virginia. Free and Open to the Public. Refreshments will be served.
Find out more »The Enemies List: Invasive Plants
Join the Mathews Gardening Group for a lecture entitled "The Enemies List: Twelve of the Most Notorious Invasive Plants of Tidewater, Virginia," with special guest speaker Christina Verderosa, Newport News Master Gardener & Tree Steward. This event is free and open to the public.
Find out more »September 2024
MLC’s Lecture Series
A Long-Awaited Update to the ‘State of the York’ Report! presented by CIRSE GONZALEZ Cirse Gonzalez, Coastal Training Program Coordinator of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science will guide attendees through the recently completed update to the “State of the York” report - the first of its kind since 2002! The report provides an overview of various components of the York River and its watershed (including water quality/ecosystem health,…
Find out more »Forgotten Black Patriots, Loyalists, and Women
Discover the mostly forgotten history of free and enslaved African Americans during the American Revolution. Learn about the events in 1775 that led Virginia Governor Dunmore to issue a proclamation freeing enslaved people owned by patriots in exchange for joining the British troops. Why did enslaved people risk their lives for freedom in places like Gwynn’s Island, in Mathews County? Discover the legacies of free and enslaved people who supported both the American and British causes. Join speaker Harvey Bikari,…
Find out more »October 2024
Discussion on Quilt Exhibit
JOIN WITH FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM for A DISCUSSION on the NEW QUILT EXHIBIT The public is invited to hear local historian and genealogist, Lori Jackson Black, detail her journey in discovering, researching and telling the stories about the extensive quilt collection which she and her husband, Jay, are proud and privileged to share. The discussion program is a part of the 3-month quilt show and the Museum’s newest exhibit, “Threads of Our History: Quilts of Mathews Virginia.” Lori Jackson Black…
Find out more »Tompkins Cottage Open
Open April 6th – October 26th! The cottage, which is headquarters for the Mathews County Historical Society, is named for Christopher Tompkins, a local sea captain, planter, local merchant, and member of the state legislature. He bought the cottage property in 1837 and is the first known owner. Exhibits include a room dedicated to the history of Mathews County which serves as a gift shop, two rooms representing a home from the 1840s to the 1900s, and a room dedicated…
Find out more »November 2024
Program by Colonial Williamsburg Textile Curator
Curator of Textiles and Historic at Dress Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to Speak Neal Hurst, Curator of Textiles and Historic Dress at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will be guest speaker. "I produce the highest quality 17th - 19th Century men's clothing. I provide clothing to not only re-enactors but to museums and living history sites,“ says Hurst, "and I have spent over 15 years studying and recreating 17th, 18th, and 19th century clothing for interpreters, reenactors, and museums.” Hurst received his Bachelor of Art…
Find out more »Fall General Membership Meeting
Join the Friends of the Mathews Memorial Library for a Fall General Membership Meeting. There will be a presentation by Pam Muffleman on the History of Williams Wharf. There is a hybrid option available at tinyurl.com/2s3nc6nv.
Find out more »Mathews Land Conservancy Lecture Series
Join the Mathews Land Conservancy, in partnership with VIMS and William & Mary, for a Lecture Series. The one hour lectures, which are free and open to the public, focus on topics of importance to the Chesapeake Bay and Mathews county waterways.
Find out more »Lighthouse Keepers of Mathews County
Mathews County Historical Society, in partnership with the Mathews Memorial Library, will host a lecture by historian Benjamin H. Trask on “Lighthouse Keepers of Mathews County” on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the library on Main Street in Mathews. Chesapeake Bay lighthouse keepers, for almost two centuries, maintained the beacons that guided vessels through the treacherous waters in and around Hampton Roads and north up the Bay. Men, women, immigrants and formerly enslaved men can be counted…
Find out more »Mathews Gardening Group Monthly Meetings
Comprised mostly of beginner or intermediate gardeners, Mathews Gardening Group meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month (except November and December- third Wednesdays), and will offer regional experts as speakers to continuously improve and sharpen each member's gardening skills. For more information, please contact the Mathews VCE office at (804) 725-7196 or by email at [email protected] for more information.
Find out more »Christmas Comes to Gwynn’s Island
Join us on Gwynn’s Island to kick-off your Holiday Season! During this free event, see the educational exhibits that portray our rich history. As the oldest museum in Mathews County, we offer a unique perspective on the founding of our country. The GI Museum is truly a gem. The GI Museum will be decorated inside and out for Christmas, offering several locations for family photos. Santa will be on hand and holiday music will set the mood. There will be…
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