09/22/2023
On Wednesday evening, September 20, 2023, at the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Tourism Coordinator, Dixie Daniel presented the second edition of the historical comic book series in partnership with The James Solomon Russell â Saint Paulâs College Museum and Archives, entitled âJimmy Matthewsâ The Origin of Brunswick Stew.
As you may already know, the James Solomon Russell/Saint Paul's College Museum and Archives began a series of historical comics to tell the story of African Americans tied to Saint Paul's College, James Solomon Russell High School, and Brunswick County, who have made a regional, state, or national impact.
The first edition in the series featured James Solomon Russell. The second edition features Jimmy Matthews, and the origin of Brunswick Stew. The comic tells the story of the first Brunswick Stew created in 1828 along the banks of the Nottoway River, here in Brunswick County, along with its first known ingredients, squirrel, butter, onions, stale bread, and seasonings by a camp cook named James âUncle Jimmyâ Matthews.
The comic also highlights the 1988 Resolution passed by the Virginia General Assembly proclaiming Brunswick County as the original Home of Brunswick Stew and the 2002 Resolution, which designates the fourth Wednesday in January as Brunswick Stew Day.
The comic also features the iconic âVirginia is for Brunswick Stew Loversâ logo, trademark provided by Virginia Tourism Corporation specifically on lend to Brunswick County, as well as the well-known fact, that if your stew paddle stands up straight in the middle of your cast iron pot, your Brunswick Stew is ready to enjoy!
This comic was created through the partnership between the James Solomon Russell - Saint Paul's College Museum and Archives along with the Tourism Department to engage and educate our youth about Brunswickâs rich history as well as expose them to our delicious delicacy that we hope for them to carry on for years to come.
The goal in the upcoming weeks is to introduce the comicâs second edition along with the correlating SOL (Standards of Learning) curriculum for elementary students the week of or week prior to the upcoming Taste of Brunswick Festival, with the help of the Museumâs Education Committee, led by Mrs. Rachell Hawkins-Wesson.
We are also hoping for âStewie the Brunswick Stew Potâ to assist in the distribution of the comics and possibly a tasting of Brunswick Stew for the students as well.
Once introduced to the local elementary schools, the comics will also be available at the Brunswick Byways Visitor Center and the Museum. The comic will also be available online for viewing and promoted at various special events in which the Tourism Department participates.
This comic would not be possible without the vision of the Board of the James Solomon Russell â Saint Paulâs College Museum and Archives.
The Tourism Department commends the Museum for their efforts in spreading knowledge of our surrounding history in such a creative way, and to connect it back to our youth. The Tourism Department is thankful for the opportunity to partner and promote Brunswick Stew in this capacity.
Present in the photo: Brunswick County Board of Supervisors, County Administrator, Tourism Department, Members present of the Board for the James Solomon Russell-Saint Paul's College Museum and Archives, and the Department of Economic Development.
