Mathews County Visitor & Information Center

05/13/2026

Although small in size, Gwynns Island has played a large role in our history. The island is home to Native American sites, early colonial occupation, and the site of an important battle that led to the independence of our nation.

Patriotic Virginians in Williamsburg expelled the last royal governor, Lord Dunmore, and sent him on a long retreat during the summer of 1775. Dunmore and his Loyalist fleet sought refuge on Gwynns Island, but they found the locals enthusiastically hostile to their cause. Patriots established an artillery battery in two locations opposite the narrow channel separating Gwynns Island from the mainland. There was an upper battery at the modern-day site of the Milford Haven Coast Guard Station and a lower battery at the current Morningstar Marina site. From these sites, local minute men and militias provided regular harassment and damaged the Loyalist fleet. Artillery and a canoe expedition ran the remaining Loyalists off Gwynns Island and out of the Chesapeake Bay.

Virginia formally proclaimed its independence in Williamsburg on July 24, 1776. Having declared its independence, Virginia was now able to send supplies and men to Washington's Army. The war continued for five years and in 1781 a British fleet returned to Virginia at the mouth of the York River. The Patriots and their French Allies were ready and surrounded the British. Unable to break the siege, the British surrendered leading to the creation of the United States of America.

Several events are taking place in Mathews County to celebrate America's 250th Anniversary. Please visit mathewsva250.org for details on all the events.

05/12/2026

ATTENTION EARLY RISERS 👀☕️

You asked… and we listened 👏

🗓️Beginning on Monday the 18th 🗓️

NEW coffee shop hours will officially be:
🕦 6AM — 2PM (Monday-Friday)
🕦 9AM — 4PM (Saturday)
🕦 10AM — 2PM (Sunday)

Now you can grab your favorite drink before work, school, errands… or honestly just because you deserve it 😉

Tag your coffee buddy below💕

05/03/2026

05/02/2026

Ready for some fun?!?!

05/02/2026

04/30/2026

Come kick off your weekend festivities tomorrow evening with the warm reggae sounds of Nature’s Child in an intimate courtyard setting.

Natures Child is a spectacular six piece reggae band out of Virginia Beach. They have opened for some of the industry’s greats including Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, and Third World. We are excited to have them take to the Music on Maple stage(Thomas James Store), overlooking the Mathews Library Courtyard, at 6pm, May 1st.

Mathews’ own talented singer/songwriter, Hunter Owens, will perform during set breaks.

There will be tasty food and beverages available for purchase.

Music on Maple is a biannual fundraiser benefiting the Mathews Historical Society and Mathews County Visitor and Information Center.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available at Mathews Visitor Center,
239 Main Street, Mathews, VA 23109. Tickets will also be available at the door while supplies last.

https://facebook.com/events/s/music-on-maple/1314842914015452/?

04/29/2026

The Poplar Grove Tide Mill, situated on the East River in Mathews County, is the only surviving tide mill in Virginia and one of just five in the United States. A tide mill has operated at Poplar Grove since colonial times. The original mill was burned during the Civil War but was rebuilt shortly afterward and still stands today, retaining much of its original hardware—except for the wheel—which has remained intact since the mill ceased production around 1912.

A previous owner of Poplar Grove explained that enslaved individuals constructed a dam across a small lagoon along the shoreline, creating a pond for the tide mill. Water flowing through the sluice turned the wheel as the tide ebbed and flowed four times a day. The mill was essential for grinding grain for the tidal community of Mathews and, at its peak production, could grind up to 32 bushels of grain daily. The miller had to carefully monitor the tide's schedule, which was influenced by the cycles of the sun and moon. As the water flow turned the wheel, it activated gears that rotated the top stone to grind the grain. The millstones likely originated from older mills and predate the current structure.

Poplar Grove Mill, along with the house and outbuildings, was recently acquired by the Poplar Grove and Tide Mill Foundation. Their plan involves dismantling the mill's machinery, restoring all its components, and reassembling it to its near-original condition. The ultimate goal is to open the mill to the public for educational purposes.

04/29/2026

This weekend is the Mathews Farmers Market and the Mathews May Faire. There will be plenty of vendors and artisans to see and shop.