Gwynn's Island Museum - Gwynn Island, Virginia

Gwynn’s Island Museum on Gwynn Island Preserves the History of the Area. Much like Colonial Williamsburg, many smaller communities around Virginia are working hard to preserve the character and reputation of their own communities. These communities focus on the identity and heritage of people in their area, as well as making the towns into an appealing place to visit for local residents and tourists alike.

For those looking to visit Gwynn’s Island Museum on Gwynn Island, you will be surprised to see the efforts made to preserve the history of the area. The museum of the island was originally created as a community project through the Mathews County Bicentennial’s Gwynn’s Island Civic League in 1991. Originally planned as a limited production, the number of items contributed to the museum, especially those from private collections, included Native American and Colonia artifacts.

Due to the popularity of the exhibit and the interest in donating to the cause let the space in the Cultural Center to quickly become overcrowded. At that time, the Allen family donated a building, which was originally used as the OddFellows Lodge and later used at the first public school on the island, to the Civic League for museum use.

Exhibits at Gwynn’s Island Museum on Gwynn Island includes antique weapons, 19th and early 20th century clothing, military and merchant marine items, Civil War period clothing, the “old school room,” and much, much more. There is even a Humpback whale skull and several exhibits from the Klingel collection.

As you near Gwynn’s Island, you will see a historical marker as you approach Gwynn’s Island Museum. This marker shows the Battle of Cricket Hill, which was a prevalent battle in the area during the late 1700s. It is also an important part of the history of the island and the people that live there. Other information about the island includes the history of the island, which was named after Hugh Gwynn on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay just 80 miles east of Richmond and 80 miles north of Norfolk.

Admission to the Gwynn’s Island Museum is free, although they appreciate donations. You can catch a glimpse at the past, learn more about the area, and find out all you need to know about the museum and what it offers visitors.  

There are several hotel accommodations in the Richmond area that will put you just a short trip away from Gwynn's Island. HotelsCombined.com offers excellent rates on Richmond hotels.

Route 633
Gwynn's Island, VA 23066
(804) 725-7949