Isle of Wight County Museum

Isle of Wight County Museum Smithfield, Va.'s, Isle of Wight Museum shares its history through its pre-colonial, colonial, Civil War, ham industry and country store exhibits.

Founded in 1976, the Isle of Wight County Museum tells the story of the county through its interactive exhibits including a turn-of-the-century country store as well as displays interpreting colonial history, the Smithfield ham industry, the Blackwater River, the Civil War and the Cold War.

09/04/2026

MY ISLE: Paradise Inn Restaurant and Shoe Repair Shop, Wharf Hill

Our video series about memories and recollections in Town of Smithfield Virginia and Isle of Wight County Virginia, features Ashland Jacob Wilkerson and Tawana Wilkerson Ford and their memories of their family's businesses on Wharf Hill in Smithfield.

View other videos in this series here:
https://tinyurl.com/yhmtvb2u

09/03/2026

LIVE at 12:05: Disregard the Torpedoes! Full Steam Ahead!

Torpedo bottles were designed in the 19th century to store carbonated water and soda. There are two in the museum's collection.

Today's episode is a deep dive into the history of torpedo bottles with our co-worker, bottle expert and Town of Smithfield Community Development & Planning Code Compliance Inspector Joe Reish.

Wet your whistle with this discussion of beverage containers.



Recorded and produced September 1, 2026.

Torpedo bottles were designed in the 19th century to store carbonated water and soda. Tune in to today's episode of LIVE...
09/03/2026

Torpedo bottles were designed in the 19th century to store carbonated water and soda. Tune in to today's episode of LIVE at 12:05 to learn more!

Whazzit Wednesday?Submit your guess about this object in the museum's collection.(This is a hand-held garden cultivator....
09/02/2026

Whazzit Wednesday?
Submit your guess about this object in the museum's collection.

(This is a hand-held garden cultivator.)

September means history with PSLs, sweaters and the World's Oldest Ham!Visit soon, and give 'em pumpkin to talk about!
09/02/2026

September means history with PSLs, sweaters and the World's Oldest Ham!
Visit soon, and give 'em pumpkin to talk about!

1891 promissory note in the amount of $100.40 for "in part of cash payment on 181 acres of land."
09/01/2026

1891 promissory note in the amount of $100.40 for "in part of cash payment on 181 acres of land."

Family members from Charleston, S.C., and Colorado checked in on the World's Oldest Ham on Sunday!
08/31/2026

Family members from Charleston, S.C., and Colorado checked in on the World's Oldest Ham on Sunday!

The museum is a drop off location for your donations to the 2026 PB&J Collection Challenge for local food banks. Help sp...
08/28/2026

The museum is a drop off location for your donations to the 2026 PB&J Collection Challenge for local food banks. Help spread the love in Hampton Roads by leaving your donation with us.

The Klingel family of Germany stopped in for a visit with the World's Oldest Ham!
08/28/2026

The Klingel family of Germany stopped in for a visit with the World's Oldest Ham!

08/27/2026

LIVE at 12:05: Picture Perfect at the Isle of Wight County Museum

Join Registrar Sheila Williams-Morales for a deep dive into a discussion of crayon portraits and solar enlargements as she highlights a late 19th century portrait in the museum's collection.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, large photographic portraits like this one were expensive and only available to wealthy patrons.

In 1857, D.A. Woodward invented the Woodward Solar Enlarging Camera which generated a large image on canvas that could be touched up and augmented with crayon or another type of media.

The combination of crayon and photograph gave birth to a new commercial portrait aesthetic--perhaps an early version of Photoshop--that flourished between 1860 and 1905.



Recorded and produced August 27, 2026.

Address

103 Main Street
Smithfield, VA
23430

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+17573561223

Website

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