MATHEWS––“Where all roads lead to water” and “Pearl of the Chesapeake” are but two of the descriptors for tiny rural Mathews County, hidden away at the tip of Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. It is Virginia’s second smallest county of only 94 square miles, proud to boast of having no traffic lights in its environs, and also boasting of more miles of shoreline than any other county on the Chesapeake Bay.
Mathews is a cultural hub for artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their crafts, in addition to being a “go-to” place for all things water related, from kayaking to oystering. Mathews is the recipient of numerous community awards, such as “America’s Coolest Small Towns” by Budget Travel and a “Top 10 Hidden Gem for Craft Lovers” by American Craft Week. The population of approximately 8,900 residents would have it no other way.
Mathews is historic
Mathews is a historic venue as well, having been a part of Gloucester County from 1651 until 1791, when Mathews became its own county. The Downtown Mathews District historic designation has been finalized and all contributing properties are now on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Many historians credit the patriots of Mathews County in the victory at the Battle of Cricket Hill, in July 1775 in the waters of Hills Bay and Milford Haven off of Gwynn’s Island. It was there that Lord Dunmore, the last sitting British governor, was chased from the shores by patriot forces, thus freeing them to go to help George Washington in Delaware.
The Gwynn’s Island Historic District also has recently been approved by the Virginia Department of Human Resources and its historic designation should be approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior within the coming year
Festival set for May 7
The annual Mathews May Faire began in 2017 and has, each year for its theme, concentrated on a segment of the county’s history. This year it is Mathews’ water heritage. Mathews County enjoys a rich, nationally recognized history of brave watermen and seamen. On Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. the Mathews community will honor its watermen with a Heritage Festival where the local Mathews Historical Museum (MHM) will be “Celebrating our Mathews Water Heritage” by:
- Recognizing its U.S. Coast Guard station at Milford Haven on Gwynn’s Island at opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. These men and women work the water 24 hours a day promoting boat safety and keeping the county safe.
- Providing a newly released database and photo display of its watermen, from as far back as data can be gathered, at the Mathews Historical Museum.
- Presenting “Conversations with our Watermen” at the Mathews County Historic Courthouse. The event features Mathews residents whose livelihoods centered around water-related activities and industries. They will share their life experiences with attendees 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Exhibiting the personal memorabilia of Captain Robert Roland Hudgins, a commercial fisherman and menhaden captain. He spent more than 50 years on the water. His family has allowed access to photographs and other memorabilia, so that residents and visitors can observe Hudgins’ life as a Mathews waterman.
The festival also features a pound cake contest and numerous food and craft vendor booths.
Museum chairmnan John Caramia said, “From a museum perspective, this appears to the first event of its kind, thus the museum will focus on this as a part of the life of our community. The museum is dedicated to celebrating the county’s heritage in a way that the community can enjoy, with friends and family, while reflecting on our past.” A spokesman for the Mathews County Visitor Center, a central point in the community, notes “Mathews’ residents have remained tied to the sea, serving in the merchant marine and harvesting a living from the bounty of the bay.”
