| Mathews County Historical Society, Inc. |
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Tompkins Cottage Museum and the Thomas James Store Opened for 2020 Season on Sat., June 27th
Tompkins Cottage Museum
43 Brickbat Rd. | Mathews, VA
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The cottage, which is headquarters for the MCHS, 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 and serves as a gift shop, two rooms representing a home from the 1840s to the 1920s, and a room dedicated to Sally Louisa Tompkins who was the first woman commissioned in an American military unit.
During this period of safe-distancing, self-guided tours will be conducted.
Tompkins Cottage Museum
43 Brickbat Rd. | Mathews, VA
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The cottage, which is headquarters for the MCHS, 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 and serves as a gift shop, two rooms representing a home from the 1840s to the 1920s, and a room dedicated to Sally Louisa Tompkins who was the first woman commissioned in an American military unit.
During this period of safe-distancing, self-guided tours will be conducted.
Thomas James Store
44 Maple Ave. | Mathews, VA
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Take a self-guided tour of one of the best-preserved early 19th--century stores in the southeastern U.S. This rare commercial structure has retained much of its original fabric; shed-roofed rectangular wings were added around 1900. Interpretive signage explains what the various marks and features represent.
44 Maple Ave. | Mathews, VA
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Take a self-guided tour of one of the best-preserved early 19th--century stores in the southeastern U.S. This rare commercial structure has retained much of its original fabric; shed-roofed rectangular wings were added around 1900. Interpretive signage explains what the various marks and features represent.
Fourth in the Historic Home Series Released
The fourth book in the series Historic Homes and Properties of Mathews County, Virginia Pre-Civil War was launched Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 in the morning.
This volume includes ten historic properties: Auburn, Augustine Diggs House, Augustine F. Hudgins House, Cedar Grove, Gwynnville, Henry Sibley House, Hyco/Haiku House, Isleham, Lilly House and Seaford. This series documents early properties of Mathews that are architecturally and historically noteworthy.
The launch had been scheduled for April 4th, opening day of the Tompkins Cottage and Thomas James Store museums but was delayed due to the governor's stay-at-home order which prohibited gatherings of this sort.
This newest book, as well as all publications of the historical society, is available at Tompkins Cottage Museum during open hours, at Mathews County Visitor & Information Center and online at Amazon.com.
The fourth book in the series Historic Homes and Properties of Mathews County, Virginia Pre-Civil War was launched Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 in the morning.
This volume includes ten historic properties: Auburn, Augustine Diggs House, Augustine F. Hudgins House, Cedar Grove, Gwynnville, Henry Sibley House, Hyco/Haiku House, Isleham, Lilly House and Seaford. This series documents early properties of Mathews that are architecturally and historically noteworthy.
The launch had been scheduled for April 4th, opening day of the Tompkins Cottage and Thomas James Store museums but was delayed due to the governor's stay-at-home order which prohibited gatherings of this sort.
This newest book, as well as all publications of the historical society, is available at Tompkins Cottage Museum during open hours, at Mathews County Visitor & Information Center and online at Amazon.com.
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History of the Society
The Mathews County Historical Society, Inc. was established in 1964 and incorporated in 1970 to preserve, study, and promote the unique heritage of Mathews County, Virginia. Since then, the society has grown from its original 26 members to over 150 members who reside in the county and throughout the United States.
A volunteer Board of Directors administers the society. Twelve board members serve for three years and officers, who are members of the board, serve one-year terms. The board and officers are elected by the general membership at its annual meeting held in January or February. The society is part of the Tidewater Historical Society Museum Trail.
The Mathews County Historical Society, Inc. was established in 1964 and incorporated in 1970 to preserve, study, and promote the unique heritage of Mathews County, Virginia. Since then, the society has grown from its original 26 members to over 150 members who reside in the county and throughout the United States.
A volunteer Board of Directors administers the society. Twelve board members serve for three years and officers, who are members of the board, serve one-year terms. The board and officers are elected by the general membership at its annual meeting held in January or February. The society is part of the Tidewater Historical Society Museum Trail.
Historical Society Archives
In 1999, the Society established a partnership with the Mathews Memorial Library to house their respective collections of archival research materials and memorabilia related to Mathews County, the Chesapeake Bay and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
These two collections are housed in the Chesapeake Room and the Herman Hollerith Archival Room at the Mathews Memorial Library. The collections are cataloged and can be accessed by the public using the Library's online public catalog system.
The archives contains published works, history and genealogy files, maps, and a special collection of rare documents and photographs pertaining to the county. The archivist and library staff help with historical information and suggest references on genealogical inquiries.
In 1999, the Society established a partnership with the Mathews Memorial Library to house their respective collections of archival research materials and memorabilia related to Mathews County, the Chesapeake Bay and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
These two collections are housed in the Chesapeake Room and the Herman Hollerith Archival Room at the Mathews Memorial Library. The collections are cataloged and can be accessed by the public using the Library's online public catalog system.
The archives contains published works, history and genealogy files, maps, and a special collection of rare documents and photographs pertaining to the county. The archivist and library staff help with historical information and suggest references on genealogical inquiries.