Story and photos by Tom Chillemi –
Machicomoco State Park tells the story of Algonquian life. Displays at the open air interpretive center chronicle Virginia’s Native people who lived around the rivers of eastern Virginia.
Machicomoco (pronounced: mah-chee-CO-mo-co) is an Algonquian word meaning “a special meeting place.”
Machicomoco is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of Virginia’s Native tribes. Jamestown, the first successful English colony in North America, was settled in 1607 and is located just 14 miles west of Virginia’s newest state park.
Just 10 miles up the York River from Machicomoco is Werowocomoco, the seat of authority of Chief Powhatan, who ruled over 32 tribes when explorer Captain John Smith came into his world. The legend of Powhatan’s daughter Pocahontas saving Smith is believed to have happened at Werowocomoco.
For many years local legend held the “Powhatan’s Chimney” stood on the west side of Timberneck Creek, opposite the site of what is now Machicomoco State Park. Supposedly, the chimney marked the place where the English had built a house for Powhatan. The chimney’s collapse in 1888 led to the formation of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA), which is now known as Preservation Virginia.
Displays
DisplaysThe interpretive center developed in close partnership with the Virginia Tribes highlights the history of the Virginia Indians.
A timeline-walk imbedded in the ground traces history of the area and Native peoples from the ice age to today. Children naturally like to try to balance and walk the steel rail that is the center of the time line.
The open-air educational structure, modeled after an Algonquian longhouse, features panels about life, land, community and travel. The landscape plantings in this area feature native plants important to Virginia Indian culture. Interpretive and educational programming will be offered at the center.
A large circular map marks the former location of the many eastern Virginia Tribes.
Nearby are two large picnic shelters, each with their own electric hookups, that can be reserved for picnics, family reunions and get togethers.
Camping
Virginia’s 40th state park, and its newest, was dedicated on April 16.
With 645 acres, Machicomoco features 30 overnight campsites with 14 walk-in primitive tent sites without water or electricity; 13 full service sites with water and electricity that accommodate RVs as long as 50 feet; and three yurts without water or electricity.
A dump station and a bathhouse with hot showers is available to overnight guests.
Boating
Water access at the park includes an ADA-accessible launch area for kayaks from a floating pier. From here visitors can explore the ecology of Poplar Creek which leads to the York River. Kayaks and small boats must be carried or rolled about 350 feet from the drop-off area to the launch pier. The creek is shallow and paddlers should check the tide charts.
Fishing is permitted from the pier with a valid saltwater fishing license.
Larger boats can tie up at a floating dock on Timberneck Creek to access the park. Boaters must depart before dark.
Hiking and biking
A paved trail that parallels the main road that circulates through the park makes for easy walking and biking. Two miles of wooded trails skirt the wetlands and provide views of the Catlett Islands and plentiful birding opportunities.
Historic house
On a hill overlooking the York River is Timberneck House, which dates to about 1800.
The Fairfield Foundation plans to restore Timberneck House and install exhibits that highlight the more recent history of Virginia’s indigenous people, bring attention to Gloucester and the Middle Peninsula’s amazing historic sites and organizations, and provide a lodging option to park guests that will help the property sustain itself into the future, said Dave Brown co-director of the Fairfield Foundation, which is based in a restored gas station on Main Street in Gloucester Courthouse.
Timberneck House is listed on the state and federal register of historic places. It is noteworthy as one of the most intact examples of federal-style architecture on the Middle Peninsula, explained Brown. The Catlett family that owned the property was involved in state and local politics for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. “The house and grounds also included enslaved Africans and African-Americans and the archaeological evidence will help us tell their stories too,” said Brown.
Park details
Machicomoco State Park is at 3601 Timberneck Farm Road, Hayes, VA 23072.
There is a $5 per day parking fee. The park is open every day of the year, but the park office may be closed on holidays. The trails, boat launch area and docks are open until dusk.
Pets are permitted on a leash that is six feet or less in length.
Call the park at 804-642-2419.
