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THE SOURCE FOR MATHEWS COUNTY, VIRGINIA HISTORY
Established in 1964 and incorporated in 1970, the Mathews County Historical Society (MCHS) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax exempt organization created and operated for the preservation, education, and promotion of Mathews County’s history, traditions, and heritage. To fulfill its mission, the Society has published works, collected rare documents and photographs, maps, artifacts, genealogical and architectural information pertaining to the county. These resources are made available to the public at the Mathews Memorial Library located at 251 Main Street.
The MCHS Archivist and the library’s Head of History and Genealogy can assist you with finding historical and genealogical information.
The MCHS Archivist and the library’s Head of History and Genealogy can assist you with finding historical and genealogical information.
Lecture next week on ‘Forgotten Black Patriots’ - Thursday, September 26
Mathews County Historical Society, in partnership with Mathews Memorial Library, will host a lecture titled, “Forgotten Black Patriots, Loyalists and Women,” at 7 p.m. next Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at Mathews Memorial Library on Main Street.
Guest speaker Harvey Bakari, Curator of Black History and Culture at Jamestown- Yorktown Foundation, is a museum professional with over two decades of diverse experiences of history interpretation, research, training, program development, management of history interpretation staff and historic sites and project management of early African and American history and culture in Virginia and the Atlantic world.
He previously served as African American research historian and managed African American Initiatives at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Bakari is a Fine Arts graduate at Virginia Commonwealth University with a minor in Afro-American Studies.
The lecture is endorsed by the Mathews County VA250 Committee, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Guest speaker Harvey Bakari, Curator of Black History and Culture at Jamestown- Yorktown Foundation, is a museum professional with over two decades of diverse experiences of history interpretation, research, training, program development, management of history interpretation staff and historic sites and project management of early African and American history and culture in Virginia and the Atlantic world.
He previously served as African American research historian and managed African American Initiatives at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Bakari is a Fine Arts graduate at Virginia Commonwealth University with a minor in Afro-American Studies.
The lecture is endorsed by the Mathews County VA250 Committee, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Free "Lighthouse Keepers of Mathews County" Lecture RESCHEDULED for Thursday, Nov. 14
We are excited to announce that this lecture has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 14!
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 among those who served to protect maritime commerce and, at times, rescue those in peril. Stories of these Mathews men and women will be the highlight of the evening’s presentation.
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 and lighthouses of southeastern Virginia. Trask holds Bachelor and Master degrees from Virginia Tech and a Masters in Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. He has twenty years of teaching experience, primarily as a middle school history teacher and worked at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News as librarian and curator.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
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 among those who served to protect maritime commerce and, at times, rescue those in peril. Stories of these Mathews men and women will be the highlight of the evening’s presentation.
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 and lighthouses of southeastern Virginia. Trask holds Bachelor and Master degrees from Virginia Tech and a Masters in Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. He has twenty years of teaching experience, primarily as a middle school history teacher and worked at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News as librarian and curator.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Thomas James Store Lift Update as of August 10, 2024
Mathews County Historical Society-owned Thomas James Store (ca. 1820) is in the process of being lifted, readjusted on the site, and having its foundation repaired. The project has been funded through the Emergency Supplemental Historical Preservation Funds provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources approved the lift and administers the project.
The team overseeing the project for the society is comprised of Marsha Carlton –Project Manager, John Hoffman – Building and Grounds Chairman and Roger Emig – Thomas James Store Curator. Storybound Construction is the contractor.
The following pictures show the progress to date. Completion of the work is difficult to determine , but plans are underway to reopen the store to visitors and resume society events this fall.
The team overseeing the project for the society is comprised of Marsha Carlton –Project Manager, John Hoffman – Building and Grounds Chairman and Roger Emig – Thomas James Store Curator. Storybound Construction is the contractor.
The following pictures show the progress to date. Completion of the work is difficult to determine , but plans are underway to reopen the store to visitors and resume society events this fall.
Northwest corner view
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South side view
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West side view
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Northeast Corner view
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© 2024 Mathews County Historical Society, Inc. All rights Reserved. Mathews, VA.
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Find out more about our Platinum status on GuideStar, a site listing profiles of 501(c)(3) organizations