History of the Plantation, Shire, County and Historical Society

1619 July 30, Captain Lawne and Ensign Washer represent the plantation at the first meeting of the legislative assembly at Jamestown, and in 1620 the Virginia Company of London decreed that the area was hereafter to be called “Isle of Wight Plantation.”

1955 The earliest record of a County Historical Committee being formed dates to 1955, when Oliver Greenwood, Anna Leigh Gwaltney Laine, Hazel Holland, Louise L. Smith, Mary Reveley, Dorothy Robbins, Marion B. Holland, Buena Maie Johnson, Messe Fowler, Elizabeth Daugherty and Superintendent L. T. Hall gathered to create the Isle of Wight County History Committee. Why they formed was unknown, perhaps for the upcoming Jamestown 350 anniversary? Someone took time to type up the Committee notes, and although there are several pages missing, the notes still provide an excellent overview of Isle of Wight County’s history. This binder can be found at the Smithfield Library, Ref 975.554 IsC2

1967 August 2, an article appeared in The Smithfield Times calling for those interested in the County’s history to attend a meeting on September 21, to make plans to organize an historical society.

1967 September 27 Mrs. Estelle Beale Seward led an organizational meeting for the forming of a historical society. Additional speakers were E. Russell Laine, County Treasurer, Mrs. H. G. Dashiell of Association for Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and Linwood Duck of Carrsville for the Nansemond Historical Society.

1967 November 15 the Society elected Officers and adopted a Constitution. Mrs. Estelle Beale Seward was elected President, Executive VP Mr. Car Cannon, VP Mrs. Barbara Haverty Mr. James Spady, Mr. Linwood Duck, Dr. and Mrs. Earl Strickland, Mrs. Gladys T. Johnson, Mr. Quincy Gilliam, and Mr. Jack Hall; Treasurer, Mr.Jack G. Chapman; Historian, Mrs. Catherine Holland Edwards; and Legal Adviser, Mr. Robert B. Edwards. A Constitution and By-Laws presented by Mr. Robert Edwards was accepted.

1968 Robert Burgess from the Mariners’ Museum gives one of the Society’s first presentations. 1969 Spring the Society plans for 350th Celebration of the 1619 establishment of “Isle of Wight Plantation.

1969 Spring Preparations for the 350th Isle of Wight Plantation First English settlement Anniversary .

1971 September 9 a survey of County Historical sites begins, setting forth the procedures which were required to employ the taking of a historic sites survey of the 18th and 19th county homes in the town and county. Mrs. Read was introduced and talked to the representatives; Mrs. Walter H. Grizzard, Mrs. Robert Hicks, Mrs. H.G. Dashiell, and Col. O. Delk Simpson. Mrs. Read stated that Smithfield was very fortunate indeed to have such a wealth of historic sites and buildings and this area was most worthy to be designated as a Preservation Zone. Historic sites are to be selected, historical research conducted, good quality photographs taken, precise mapping on United States Geological Survey maps, and forms to be completed on each site. When the exact information is ascertained and presented the sites and buildings will be registered with the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission and the National Register.

Mrs. H. G. Dashiell, Smithfield Historian, will begin working with Mrs. Read this week to select the historic sites and conduct the historical research necessary. Col. O. Delk Simpson, President of the Isle of Wight County Historical Society will work on maps and set up meetings with his regional vice presidents, who in turn will meet with Mrs. Read and review their area for sites, artifacts, and homes. Mrs. Wiley and the Woman's Club representatives will contact other areas that have been zoned as a preservation area, seek information from the Town Council concerning ordinances and secure information required for the marking of the sites. There are a total of forty buildings within the town limits and approximately seventy more in the county. The Woman's Club of Smithfield, together with the Isle of Wight County Historical Society is most anxious that they be preserved and registered.

1971 Begins the Bicentennial Projects in cooperation with APVA, St. Luke’s and other county organizations. Miss Ida Wright Chapman is the Treasurer.

1973 The Boykin’s Tavern initiative begins to raise funds for a much needed preservation and restoration.

1976 America’s Bicentennial Events

1976 January 26, John Sands of the Mariners’ Museum presents Revolutionary War Shipwrecks of Yorktown: History and Archaeology at the American Legion Building.

1976 November 21, Society hosts reception for opening of new Isle of Wight County Muesum, which was housed in the Old Gambling House.

1978 September 15, James Lavin presents on Early European firearms at the 1750 Courthouse.

1980 Parker Rouse speaker

1983 Deed Books Restoration

1998 Boykin’s Tavern Restoration

1998 Post Office WPA Mural Restoration

2000 Gravesite Survey Task Force

2000 John Quarstein DIrector Emeritus of the Mariner’s Museum presentation

2003 Col Josiah Parker Cemetery DIscovery 

2005 Clay Jenkinson presentation

2006 Chief Walt Brown of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe speaker

2007 Virginia 400

2008 Fort Huger  Dedication

2010 Windsor Castle Manor support for Town of Smithfield.

2010 April 24, Bus Tour of Historic Surry County. 2010 October 11, Preservation Celebration concert fundraiser for Jordan Home.

2012 March 11, Sharon Jones gives tour of County Documents room.

2012 December 5, Carl Childs and Greg Crawford from the State Historical Records Advisory Board give a presentation in the COunty Jury Assembly Room.

2019 January 27, Justin Sarafin of Preservation speaks on Statewide preservation initiatives.

2019 July 19, Dr. Helen Rountree presentation on James River Indians.

2019 July 30, Isle of Wight Plantation establishment anniversary.

2023 August 13, Booby Clontz presentation on Native Trees and Ecology.

2023 June 18, Juneteenth Program Freedom – Celebrating the Struggle for Black Education in the Rosenwald School Era in Smithfield Main Street Baptist Church.

2023 October 23, Indigenous People’s Presentation by Dr. Helen Rountree at Smithfield Events Center.

2024 January 24, Annual Meeting and Open House at the 1820s Clerk’s Office to view restoration progress.

2024 April 21, the Historical Society hosts Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Clay Jenkinson at Smithfield High School.

2024 September 15, Richard Cheatham portrays John Rolfe at Benn’s United Methodist Church, Smithfield.

2024 December 8, Annual Meeting and visit to Garner Country Store in Orbit.

2025 January 13, United States 250 Begins with Isle of Wight Committee of Safety minutes.

2025 March 16, Dr Carl Lounsbury gives a presentation on Virginia Courthouses at the Supervisor’s Boardroom, Isle of Wight.

2025 June 19, The Historical Society hosts John Quarstein for his presentation on “4 Paths to Freedom,” a history of 4 enslaved individuals varied routes to freedom at the Main Street Baptist Church, Smithfield.

2025 June 22, Mrs. Valerie Schmidt-WIlson gives presentation on the Tynes family of Isle of Wight as part of the County Records Project.

2025 August Camp Family Manufacturing presentation by Mr. Clyde Parker.

2025 Dec 7, Annual Meeting, Captain John Sinclair presentation by ancestor Mr. Tom Wiatt and a tour of the 1820s Clerk’s Office renovation.

2026 January 11, Chiricahua Apache Ties to Hampton Roads presentation by Dr. W. Michael Farmer.

2034 - Warraskoyack Shire 400 Year Anniversary.