Isle of Wight County Museum facts for kids
The Isle of Wight County Museum is a really interesting place to learn about history! It's located in Smithfield, Virginia, and it's full of cool things from the past.
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Discovering the Museum's History
The Isle of Wight County Museum first opened its doors in 1976.
How the Museum Started
Back in 1974, some people in Isle of Wight County had a great idea. They wanted a special place to keep and show off the county's history. These citizens worked hard to make their dream come true.
Because of their efforts, a group of local people was chosen. Their job was to find, organize, and display old items for a brand new museum.
Early Homes of the Museum
The museum's first home was an old building called the Gaming House. It was built in the 1700s and was located at 124 Main Street. The museum officially opened on November 21, 1976. For the first three years, dedicated volunteers kept the museum open. They welcomed visitors on Sunday afternoons and by appointment.
The museum quickly grew too big for its first home. Many people donated or loaned items, making the collection much larger. So, in 1979, the museum moved to a new historic building. This was the Bank of Smithfield, built in 1913, at 103 Main Street.
Growing and Changing
In 1990, the museum expanded even more. They bought the Folk Building, which was next door. This building was also built in 1913 and used to be a dry goods store.
Over the years, the museum's management changed a few times. In 2006, it became part of the county's Parks and Recreation Department. Later, it moved under the Smithfield and Isle of Wight County Tourism Department.
Overcoming Challenges
The museum faced a big challenge in October 2006. A strong storm caused the basement to flood with three feet of water. This was very damaging to the museum and its collection.
But many people helped out! Staff, experts from other museums, volunteers, and local businesses worked tirelessly. Thanks to their hard work, the museum was able to reopen in 2008.
The Museum Today
Since June 2014, the museum staff have been employees of the Town of Smithfield. However, Isle of Wight County still owns the museum's collection and the building itself.
Today, the museum continues to grow and welcome visitors. It has a full-time director and curator, plus part-time guides called docents. The museum is open seven days a week. It offers special events, chances to do research, and educational programs. You can visit in person or follow them on social media!
Exploring the Museum's Collections
The museum has many different exhibits to explore. You can see really old fossils from prehistoric times. There are also items from the colonial period and even older.
You can step back in time in a display that looks like a country store from the early 1900s. The museum also shows how the famous Smithfield ham industry works.
The World's Oldest Ham
One of the most famous items at the museum is the world's oldest, edible cured ham! This amazing ham belongs to P.D. Gwaltney Jr.
The story goes that in 1902, this ham was simply forgotten. It hung from a rafter in one of Gwaltney's meat packing houses for 20 years! By 1924, it was so famous that it was kept in a special iron safe. The safe was opened every day so guests could see it.
Gwaltney called it his "pet ham." He even put a brass collar on it! He took the ham to shows and expos to prove how well his smoking method preserved meat. This unique ham was even featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not! in 1929, 1932, and again in 2003.
The museum celebrates the ham's "birthday" every July with a special party. You can even keep an eye on the ham throughout the day using the museum's Ham Cam!
