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November 2018
Saving Lives, Making Friends: The Flying Physician Who Kept His Promise To Tangier Island
32.3 miles from Mathews across the Chesapeake Bay lies the island of Tangier. More than two-thirds of it has become submerged since 1850, and it is estimated that the encroaching waters of the Bay could drown it completely within a few decades. Those who are familiar with the history and people of the Island note that this daunting future has not dampened the spirits of its residents. Among those documenting this courageous story is Richmond Times Dispatch feature writer, Bill…
Find out more »December 2018
Christmas at the Museum
Winners of the art raffle will be announced at 4:30 p.m.! There is still time to come by on Saturday and purchase some raffle tickets. Hot cider and cookies will be served, a donation requested. Please come by and select some artful Christmas presents from our collection!
Find out more »Holiday Open House – Tompkins Cottage Museum
Step back to the 19th century! The Tompkins Cottage Museum, 43 Brickbat Rd., will be open to celebrate the Christmas season with period decorations and holiday shopping. Author and historian Martha W. McCartney will be on hand to sign her book “Mathews County Virginia: Lost Landscapes, Untold Stories.” HOLIDAY SHOPPING Ornaments | Publications | Capt. Sally Tompkins Dolls
Find out more »February 2019
Civil War Lecture: Harriet Tubman
Presented by Laurie King Assistant Conservator, USS Monitor Project Harriet Tubman is most commonly known for her actions as a conductor in the Underground Railroad, repeatedly crossing into slave territory to lead enslaved friends and families to freedom, However, this is only part of Tubman’s life. Between her work as an abolitionist and humanitarian, and serving as a nurse, scout and spy for the Union Army, Tubman spent her life fighting for freedom and justice. Join Laurie King as she…
Find out more »Speaker Meeting
Carol and John McCormack present their Road Scholar Trip to the WWII D-Day beaches in France, including a painting made during the D-Day landing, and some original D-Day landing charts stamped “TOP SECRET”.
Find out more »March 2019
Mathews Maritime Event Speaker Meeting
The Mathews Maritime Foundation speaker series presents Dr. Wesley Wilson telling the story of African American waterman, and the Pamunkey and Mattaponi tribes, involvement in the transportation of wounded Union soldiers from around Richmond to the White House, down the Pamunkey and York Rivers to a Hospital ship anchored off Gloucester Point. They transported thousands under cover of darkness. Mr. Wilson is a retired Lt. Colonel Army combat aviator having served as a helicopter gunship pilot. He has a PhD…
Find out more »April 2019
Tompkins Cottage Museum Open
The cottage is one of the oldest frame structures in the courthouse area. It contains changing exhibits and a collection of objects reflecting a typical home of the 1800s. The building is named for Christopher Tompkins of Poplar Grove, a prominent local planter, merchant, sea captain and ship owner/builder. A room is dedicated to his daughter, Capt. Sally Louisa Tompkins, CSA. Capt. Sally was the first woman to be commissioned an officer in an American army. An excellent example of…
Find out more »Lighthouse Keepers Honored in Mathews
Lighthouse Keepers to be Honored, April 13 in Mathews County The memory of six lighthouse keepers will be kept alive in public ceremonies by members of the Chesapeake Chapter, United States Lighthouse Society and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Everyone interested is invited to the graveside ceremonies to be held on April 13. Betty Collins, Board Member of the Chesapeake Chapter and Event Coordinator of the Mathews USLHS Grave Marker Ceremonies, states "recognizing lighthouse keepers and the life saving service that…
Find out more »Mathews Maritime Museum Open
The Mathews Maritime Museum will be open every Friday and Saturday 10am to 2pm until September!
Find out more »Gloucester House and Garden Tour – Historic Garden Week in Virginia
Gloucester County's rich history dates from just after the settlement at Jamestown in 1607 and its role during the American Revolution was pivotal. The southern tip of the county’s peninsula extends into the York River and is directly across from Yorktown. This prime military vantage point is the location of one of our properties, Little England Farm, built in 1716. Visitors will enjoy access to additional private homes and grounds, including Sweetgrass, a low-country style home which looks across the…
Find out more »May 2019
Gwynn’s Island Museum Open
Visit the Gwynn's Island Museum Saturdays and Sundays 1pm-5pm
Find out more »June 2019
Mathews Historic Church Tour
Six churches -- Antioch Baptist, Grace-Providence UMC, Gwynn's Island Baptist, Macedonia Baptist, Westville Baptist & Westville Christian -- in Mathews County will be open for the Mathews County Historical Society’s Historic Church Tour. The event showcases the architecture, history and culture of Mathews County through one of its richest and historical resources—our churches. Tickets will be available for purchase locally beginning May 1st at Flowers from the Heart and the Mathews County Visitor and Information Center. Tickets: $12 in advance, or $15…
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