History...with a Pulse!

Though the Eastern Shore's chain of seaside barrier islands are mostly deserted now, the museum preserves through relics and guided tours the fascinating tales of those who once called these shifting sands home.

PO Box 206, 7295 Young Street
Machipongo , VA  23405

Email:  BarrierIslandsCenter@live.com       

Phone 1:  757-678-5550  

Phone 2:  888-678-5572  

Free Admission

The Historical Society has a rich collection of early postcards, photographs, timetables, documents, and objects which encompass the beginnings of Cape Charles in the 1880s, its houses, churches, schools, harbor and beachfront, commercial enterprises, railroad, and ships.

Local history is presented via “story boards” and models of Eastern Shore sailing vessels, steamers, workboats, barges, and ferries; railroad china, switch locks; Indian artifacts; school memorabilia including a 3-foot megaphone used at 1950s football games. A mockup exhibit of Jefferson’s Store, an early African-American shop in Cape Charles, contains about 100 objects drawn from the Society’s “country store” collection. Visitors may also learn about the Chesapeake Bay crater, the largest in the U.S., created 35 million years ago, including a collection of rocks from the 1 mile core sample taken near Cape Charles in 2005, and a number of handouts from the USGS. Google “Chesapeake Bay crater” and you will find lots more about it.

Of important historic interest is the site a few miles south of Cape Charles of a large17th century house originally built by the Custis family. Now owned by the Arlington Foundation and the subject of several archeological digs, the site is open to visitors; artifacts and a model of the house have been assembled into an exhibit now on permanent display at the Museum.

Open mid April - November, weekdays 10-2, Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 1-5.

 

814 Randolph Avenue
Cape Charles , VA  23310

Email:  CCMuseum@hughes.net       

Phone 1:  757-331-1008  

The Chincoteague Natural History Association (CNHA) is a non-profit, cooperating association established in partnership with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose of the CNHA is to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Chincoteague refuge, the Eastern Shore of Virginia refuge, and the natural history and environment of Virginia's Eastern Shore in general. The CNHA produces and provides interpretive and educational material for refuge visitors.

PO Box 917, Herbert Bateman Visitor Center
Chincoteague Island , VA  23336

Email:  CNHA@verizon.net       

Phone 1:  757-336-3696  

Free Admission

 

What You’ll Find at the Museum
 

• 1906 New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk (later Pennsylvania) Railroad passenger station
• 1890's maintenance-of-way tool shed full of tools and other railway artifacts
• Turn-of-the-century crossing guard shanty
• Railcars lined up on the Museum's sidings
• Picnic tables and a pavilion for family reunions
• Artifacts from the many railroads that have operated on the Delmarva peninsula since the mid-1800's

Open from April 1 to November 30

Thursday & Sunday 1pm to 4pm
Friday & Saturday 11am to 4pm

The Historic Onley Train Station is located at the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and Maple St in beautiful downtown Onley. The Station was first opened on June 1 1885 making it 126 years old. It is the only New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk station that has never been moved from its original location. Some of the upcoming projects at the Station are repainting the building, installation of a handicap ramp, bathroom facilities, heating system, and upgraded electrical system.

PO Box 135, 18468 Dunne Avenue
Parksley , VA  23421

Email:  KParksley@aol.com       

Phone 1:  757-665-7245  

You'll love our nature and you'll dig our history!

This stately historic Federal-style home turned museum has been authentically restored to its 1799 roots, welcoming visitors back to the world of John Shepherd Ker in the thriving port of Onancock. Docent guided tours are available which interpret life on an Eastern Shore plantation back in the early 19th century. Exhibits expand to the newly opened cellar and on the attractive grounds.

Open

Tuesday through Saturday
March through December
First Tour - 11 AM
Last Tour - 3 PM

By Appointment January and February 

Group tours and access to Historical Society Library and Archives
are available by appointment

  Home of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society

PO Box 179, 69 Market Street
Onancock , VA  23417

Email:  Events@ShoreHistory.org       
Website:  www.ShoreHistory.org

Phone 1:  757-787-8012  

Phone 2:  757-787-4271   (Fax)

Chincoteague Island and Its People

Newly renovated in 2011, the Museum preserves the people, culture, and heritage of Chincoteague.  An 1866 First order Fresnel lens greets visitors in the front hall and at night winks back at the current light atop its former home on the Assateague Lighthouse.  New exhibits display life on this island from before man to the present.  There are 25 million year old wooly mammoth fossils and shell fossils.  The shipwrecks and treasures exhibit features items found in the waters around the Island.  The Guilded Age exhibit depicts life in the late 19^th century when wealthy merchants owned large Victorian homes on the Island.  A new acquisition that will delight visitors both old and young is the 1880 volunteer fire company hand pumper.  Early sailing history comes to life in a models exhibit of vessels used on our bays, creeks, and channels.  Videos of the oystering industry and the 1962 flood enhance exhibits featuring both.  The Museum is open from April through Thanksgiving weekend daily, except Mondays.  It is an easy stop going or coming from the Refuge just on the left as you head into the park. 

PO Box 352, 7125 Maddox Boulevard
Chincoteague Island , VA  23336

Email:  OysterMuseum@verizon.net       
Website:  www.ChincoteagueMuseum.com

Phone 1:  757-336-6117  

There's something here for everyone!

Near Chincoteague Island discover what has been going on since 1945 at one of the oldest launch sites in the world. No spacecraft needed to have an asronauts-eye-view of the planets and moons at the new Science On a Sphere Theatre. A six-foot-diameter globe provides stunning visual effects from real scientific data. The animated sphere seems to float in space - just as an astronaut would see the Earth!

Mar - Jun: Thursday - Monday 10 to 4.
July 4-Labor Day: Daily 10 to 4.
Sept - Nov: Thursday - Monday 10 to 4.
Dec - Feb: Monday - Friday 10 to 4.

Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility, Building J-17
Wallops Island , VA  23337

Email:  April.M.Davis@NASA.gov       
Website:  www.wff.nasa.gov/vc

Phone 1:  757-824-2298   (Office)

Phone 2:  757-824-1344   (Front Desk)

Experience the Waterman's Life

 

The Tangier History Museum and Interpretive Cultural Center welcomes all to come and learn about the history of Tangier and its people and to aid in their interpretation. THMICC has a museum/visitors center, a walking history trail, a nature trail and water trails, with free use of kayaks and canoes. Come and learn about Tangier's special role in the history of aviation, our unique language and how we face the challenges of a rising Bay, a shrinking island and a dwindling population.

Admission: $3

Opens: 11:00 AM
Closes: 4:00 PM

Museum is open mid-April to mid-October

Just call and ask!

16215 Main Ridge Road
Tangier Island , VA  23440

Email:  thmicc@aol.com       

Phone 1:  757-891-2374