Mathews County Historical Society, Inc.

09/03/2026

Market Days at the Tompkins Cottage and Thomas James Store!
The Mathews County Historical Society invites you to visit the historic Tompkins Cottage during Mathews Market Days!

The cottage will be open Saturday, September 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 13, from noon to 5:00 p.m. Come explore this special piece of Mathews County history and learn more about our local heritage.

On Saturday morning, noted author and research historian Martha McCartney will be at the cottage from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. to sign copies of her book, Mathews County,
Virginia: Lost Landscapes, Untold Stories. A selection of MCHS published and other historical books and commemorative ornaments will be available for purchase.
Ca. 1820 Thomas James Store, at 44 Maple Avenue, will also be open during the same hours for self-guided tours.

If you have an interest in join- ing us as a docent, please stop by and let us know. We have a great team of volunteers and could use a few additions. The commitment is minimal; we ask that everyone volunteer at least one Saturday per month.

Whether you’re a long-time resident or a visitor enjoying Market Days, be sure to stop by the Tompkins Cottage and discover a little more of Mathews County’s fascinating past. We look forward to seeing you!

09/01/2026

Hot off the press! Take a look at our latest Fall Newsletter and upcoming MCHS offerings!

08/27/2026

Only a few more weeks until our next Music on Maple Concert. Tickets and sponsorships will be available very soon!

08/25/2026

Sad news just now: Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80. We look back to when she performed at Donk's Theater in Mathews in 1976.

08/13/2026

Our next Music on Maple is scheduled for October 9 at the Thomas James Store and Mathews Memorial Library Courtyard!

Join us for our fall Music on Maple event, featuring music by Rae the Band. Rae the Band is a soulful, funky, blues influenced band from NYC. They blend sounds of 60's soul, electric blues, and classic rock through their original music alongside specially selected covers. We will have a food truck, and featured beverages.

Tickets will be available for purchase in the near future at the Mathews Visitor Center. Stay tuned!

This event is sponsored by and benefits MCVIC and MCHS.

08/10/2026

We enjoyed the presentation by Historian Ben Trask last week. He spoke about Fannie M. Salter, foremost lighthouse keeper from Mathews. We appreciate everyone who could join us!

08/05/2026

07/28/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Port Haywood Street Scene, looking west. Susan Borum Brewer Collection. February 23, 1999

ARCHIVES Box 2 R 14-5 MCHS

07/21/2026

Did you miss Andrew Lawler’s lecture? You can watch it on YouTube thanks to the Mathews Memorial Library.

Andrew Lawler lecture on his book the “Perfect Frenzy”

06/16/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVES

We thought we’d share this timely archived letter as celebrations for Mathews VA 250th Anniversary kick off in just a few short weeks in July!

Here is a framed clipping from Leicester Journal Sept. 24, 1776. Article contains account of Lord Dunmore at Battle of Gwynn’s Island.

ARCHIVES Box 25 R 114-1 MCHS (Archival Material)