Historic Resources Recent Happenings   

TOUR OF NIKE PARK. On Aug. 14, local historian Albert Burckard hosted a short presentation and a walking tour of Nike-Ajax Missile Site N-75 in Carrollton. This site contains the original barracks, mess hall, administration and recreation building, officer/non-commissioned officer family housing, fueling area and underground missile magazines. Pictured here is the raising of a 48-star U.S. flag, which flew at N-75 during its time of operation.

SKIRMISH AT MACKIE'S MILL. On June 26 and 27, members of the HM Sloop Otter, a group of living historians who portray soldiers from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, camped at Windsor Castle Park and re-created the January 1781 Skirmish at Mackie’s Mill. Members educated the public about the life and times of a common soldier through discussions and demonstrations.

ADDITION TO CIVIL WAR TRAILS. Fort Huger was just added to Virginia Civil War Trails. Executive Director Mitch Bowman installed the sign on May 27, pictured here with Historic Resources Manager J.L. Williams. The Civil War Trails program has installed more than 1,000 interpretive markers at Civil War sites in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina. Driving tours following major campaigns have been created, and a series of regional brochures is available. Download versions of the maps from www.CivilWarTraveler.com/maps. 

FORT HUGER WALKING TOUR. On May 15, local historian Albert Burckard led a walking tour of Fort Huger. Guests learned of the site’s significance and participated in the raising and lowering of the flags that have been waved over the fort since 1861.

HOSPITALITY HERO. During National Tourism Week – May 8 to 16 - Smithfield & Isle of Wight County Tourism touted the economic impact of visitors to the area as tourism is one of Virginia’s most powerful industries - generating $19.2 billion in revenue, supporting 210,000 jobs and providing $1.28 billion in state and local taxes. This year, Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism recognized local front-line hospitality industry employees with a Hospitality Hero awards. Nominees – including Isle of Wight County Museum Administrator Denise Haynes - were recognized at a ceremony on May 14.

FORT BOYKIN HERB WALK. On May 8, Historic Resources hosted an walk at Fort Boykin about native edibles with naturalist and master gardener Mike Rasnake. At the tour’s conclusion, participants enjoyed a few tastes of maypop ice cream, persimmon ice cream, sassafras tea and chickweed pesto.

NAVAL RE-ENACTORS. On May 8, members of the Tidewater Maritime Living History Association visited the Isle of Wight County Museum to portray 19th century naval and civilian nautical life. Here, Eric Jeanneret poses with items he uses when portraying a ship's cook.

MUSEUM LECTURE. On April 18, Benjamin Trask, author of The 9^th Virginia Infanty and The Sixty-First Virginia Infantry, discussed the Civil War in Isle of Wight County. 

RECYCLING AND REUSE. On March 13, Boykin's Tavern hosted an educational program for girls in first through fifth grade on the Great Depression. Through American Girl Kit Kittredge, participants discovered the hard times of the early years of the Great Depression through crafts and hands-on activities.

SAVE YOUR HISTORY. On Feb. 27, Isle of Wight County Museum hosted Save Your History Day.Those with memories of Isle of Wight County were encouraged to bring photos and ephemera to the museum so that they could be added to the museum's electronic collection. This event will become an annual event for the museum.

DONATION TO BOYKIN’S TAVERN. The Isle of Wight Soldier's Aid Society was formed in 2006 as a civilian Civil War reenacting unit for ladies, gentlemen and family members to portray the civilian sector of the Civil War. They are affiliated with the Mahone's Brigade and the 2nd Battalion ANV. On Dec. 12, they presented a check to Boykin’s Tavern for its continued preservation and interpretation. The group is pictured here with Boykin’s Tavern Advisory Committee members Pinky Hipp and Edwin Little.

CHRISTMAS IN THE FIELD. On Dec. 12 and 13, Isle of Wight County Historic Resources hosted Christmas in the Field, a Civil War re-enactment at Heritage Park. Host units include Mahone’s Brigade and the 13^th Virginia Cavalry, Company I. Scenarios included cavalry and infantry demonstrations, battles, church services and the decorating of a period Christmas tree. Here, soldiers take a break with a game of baseball.

TEA WITH SAMANTHA. On Dec. 6, the Isle of Wight County Museum hosted a tea with American Girl Samantha at Mansion on the Main. The young attendees enjoyed tea and gingerbread and made several Victorian crafts while they learned what life was like for young girls in the early 1900s.

TELL ME A STORY. Children ages 3 to 5 and their families are invited to visit the Isle of Wight County Museum for a monthly program designed to introduce youngsters to the symbols of Isle of Wight County through books, games and crafts. The free storytime program is offered from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. On Nov. 10, Historic Resources Specialist Kathy Mountjoy read a story about Thanksgiving to attendees. Afterwards, they discussed Berkeley Plantation and Lawne's Point and then made a turkey craft.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS. Boykin’s Tavern Museum hosted a fall-themed holiday decoration workshop on Oct. 18. Perfect for the upcoming holidays, this workshop allowed participants to create their own masterpieces with fresh greenery and fruit.

FAMILY FUN. On Sept. 26, the Isle of Wight County Museum reminisced about the day in 2002 when Smithfield created the world’s largest ham biscuit through an historic interpreter who discussed that day as well as her turn of the century insights into the care and feeding of prize-winning pigs.

PORKALISCIOUS. From July 13 to 17, the Isle of Wight County Museum hosted Porkaliscious, a camp for rising fourth, fifth and sixth graders interested in the story of how ham put the town of Smithfield on the map. Students explored various areas through writing, geography and art. And they enjoyed visiting a smokehouse. Here, Drew Haynes learns how to roll ham from a chef at the Smithfield Station.

LOCAL SCOUTS VOLUNTEER AT FORT BOYKIN.  From January to April each year, area Boy Scouts, under the leadership of John Matroni, volunteered many hours at Fort Boykin to assist with clean-up of the overgrown earthworks. Using National Park Service guidelines, the boys spent many hours clearing underbrush and invasive plants from these historically and militarily important structures.