A preview reception and review of new exhibits, for Museum members, prior to grand re-opening of museum, February 1. Light refreshments will be served.
Saturday, February 1, the Museum will reopen. Our recognition of African American History month will include an exciting exhibit, “Towards Freedom,” on loan from the Hampton Museum. Learn the story of men, women and children who escaped slavery to seek the possibility of freedom at Fort Monroe.
The exhibit explores critical questions surrounding slavery and the individuals who changed the world by their actions just one month into the American Civil War. On May 25, 1861, three young men, Shepard Mallory, Frank Baker, and James Townsend, escaped to union-held Fort Monroe near Hampton and petitioned for their freedom. In response to their actions, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, commander of Union forces in the area, proclaimed them "Contraband of War." Word spread and enslaved people brought their families and gathered by the thousands at Fort Monroe,
known by the Contrabands as "Freedom's Fort." The exhibit looks at the lives of these people who came to Hampton, and who in many ways became political activists by moving toward freedom.
Treasured Handmade Quilts Will Be on Display
Additionally, a special invitational quilt exhibit will feature handmade or owned/acquired items by members of the local Mathews Bay quilters, as well as items contributed by Mathews residents and invited artisans who wish to share their talents. Some of the items were acquired by Guild members from travels near and far. There is no charge for the exhibit and reservations are not necessary. The Museum is open on Saturdays, 10:00 am until 2:00 p.m. Please plan to include these events in your schedule for February. For further information call 804-695-4664.
In a repeat of last year’s enthusiastic reception, join us at the Cobbs Creek Arts Center, 61 Cobbs Creek Lane, Sunday afternoon, to hear the wonderful voices of the Men’s Chorus and the Women’s Chorus of our local Ebenezer Baptist Church. The groups’ most recent performance was before an appreciative audience at a Christmas sing-along at Mathews Central United Methodist Church. The men’s chorus has been in existence for over 25 years and is well known throughout the area.
*Also on the agenda is a concert performance by renowned artist, Joshua Allen, of Richmond, a classically trained vocalist, who will sing as well as perform sacred and secular songs on his handmade instruments. He learned traditional hymns while trailing a plow and mule with his father and grandfather, on a North Carolina plantation. He will tell the story of his instruments, such as the African ox horn flute, made from animals used on farms. Mr. Allen, a former Marine and a former Mr. Virginia, will share his deep and resounding voice with us as he tells the story of his musical journey. We invite you to enjoy the afternoon at the Arts Center. There is no charge for this event and reservations are not necessary.
A movie which depicts the story of Fort Monroe, will be shown. Empowered by a legal loophole, thousands of enslaved Africans escaped and found refuge at a Union-held fort during the Civil War.
Doors open at 6:30, movie begins at 7:00. Movie runs approximately ½ hour.
4:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Piankatank Ruritan Center
One of the Museum’s traditions is support for our local Rotary Club where the Museum competes with other Mathews organizations in a Chili Cook-Off. We invite you to come and support us Saturday, February 8, at this fundraising event on the day before the Super Bowl !! Come and vote for the Museum as the #1 chili maker and take home a quart for the game. Tickets are available at a cost of $20, through Museum members, or, send an email to www.mathewsvamuseum.com or leave a message at 804-505-1277 and we will get back to you.
Annual membership meeting for all board members, museum members and volunteers to discuss and vote on policy and procedures for the year of 2025, and renewal of memberships for 2026.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER AND WOMEN'S NATIONAL HISTORY MONTH
When: Where: 200 Main Street, Mathews, VA
Once again, the Museum is planning a St. Patrick’s Day event to be held at Kingston Parish. There will be a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner and dessert, with an after dinner Irish coffee. A wine and beer cash bar will be available. In addition, an offering of fine woolen items from Ireland will be offered in a raffle. Tickets may be purchased beforehand at MCVIC, Haskins Bayside as well as the Museum. More details to come!
*In March we plan to celebrate Women’s National History Month. Mathews has an incredible number of women owned businesses, covering a diverse range of services. We wish to recognize these many women-owned small businesses, retailers, and restaurant owners in the county. Look for details, as they develop, on our website.
Mathews Museum will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year! We are planning a community-wide event Saturday, September 13. Look to our website for details as they develop, at www.mathewsvamuseum.org.
Watch for upcoming news about the quilt exhibit that will open Thursday, October 3, at a special member only reception. *The collection will then be on exhibit to the public, from October 5 through late December. One of the oldest family names in Mathews County is Diggs, with that family’s presence dating back centuries. Their legacy runs deep in the county and physical evidence will show that, when nearly 30 quilts all from the Diggs family dating as far back to the Civil War era, are on display at a special quilting exhibit, “Threads of Our History: Quilts of Mathews Virginia.” The Museum is both proud and excited to be able to display this exceptional piece of Mathews history. *Please note that times vary with Museums Hours of Operation
