Mathews County Historical Society, Incorporated

Publishing an account of the historic homes in Mathews County was recognized years back as a worthy endeavor the society should undertake and essential to the understanding of Mathews history and heritage. The mission of the society includes seeking, collecting, compiling and documenting all available information relating to Mathews history and its families. 'Happy homes and fertile farms on smiling waters...', so the moniker goes. Many of these homes are grand; others are more modest, but all reflect the heritage of an agrarian and maritime past. Book 5 is the last in the series under contract with Donning Publishing Co. of Virginia Beach. It has ten chapters with each property analyzed architecturally by an expert in the field, researched by a Mathews County historian and written by a recognized author of Virginia history and its people. The formal launch of this volume is to take place 1 April 2023.

Mathews County Historical Society, Inc. is working actively in improving historical signage in the county. Present projects include working with The Nature Conservancy to rehabilitate the signage at New Point Comfort Lighthouse Overlook that explains the significance of the lighthouse historically, the process of the twenty-year restoration of the lighthouse, the ecology of the area and environmental impacts in the future. In addition, the society sponsored and funded through donations the placement of a new marker describing the World War II Army Camp that was built at New Point. The society is also a stakeholder in the rehabilitation of the overlook itself.
The society is partnering with Mathews Chapter NAACP to erect a Virginia Department of Historic Resources highway marker commemorating Mathews County contrabands of the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War to be placed on the grounds of First Baptist Church.

MCHS partners with Mathews Memorial Library in maintaining Mathews Archives. The society provides a volunteer archivist; the library provides cataloguing services, access for the public and the space to house the materials.
The mission is: To acquire by gift, purchase or by other means, written records, maps, photographs, books, and other documents that relate to Mathews County history (Of special interest are diaries, account books and ledgers.); To preserve these documents using standard archival management procedures in the storage, handling, restoration and use of these materials; To make the collection available to the citizens of Mathews County and other interested parties; To secure funds to support the care and growth of the collection through gifts, grants and by other means.

The cottage is one of the oldest frame structures in the courthouse area. It contains changing exhibits and a collection of objects reflecting a typical home of the 1800s. The building is named for Christopher Tompkins (1787-1838) of Poplar Grove, a prominent local planter, merchant, sea captain and ship owner/builder. He purchased the property in1838. A room is dedicated to his daughter, Capt. Sally Louisa Tompkins, CSA (1833-1916). She was the first woman to be commissioned an officer in an American army. An excellent example of early Tidewater folk architecture, distinctive features include beaded beams, batten doors and wrought iron hardware as well as an unusual door at the turn in the steep stairway. Over the years, the building has been a tailor shop, but primarily family residences.
The cottage was bought by the county in 1964 and saved from demolition by a dedicated group. In 1969 it was leased to the society and is open to the public April through October.

MCHS sponsors speakers throughout the year, up to four lectures or programs, to provide free public education on topics of interest to Mathews citizens.