Essex County Museum & Historical Society

Essex County Museum & Historical Society TAPPAHANNOCK, VIRGINIA

Experience our vibrant history of Tidewater, Virginia in our galleries, filled with treasured objects from the past.

ON THE RIVER: 1608 John Smith’s exploration voyages and early commerce

IN THE TOWN: County seat of Essex County is a historic district with structures from early 1700s

WITH THE PEOPLE: Native Americans - Rappahannock Tribe, Early Colonists, 5th generation family homes and artifacts

The story of Essex County begins in prehistoric times with fossilized bones of a fifty million year old Zeuglodon, an ancestor of the whale.

In 1608, Captain John Smith sailed up the Rappahannock River into the land of the Rappahannocks, and noted their Chief’s town, now the town of Tappahannock. Dis - cover the people of Essex who thrived in an English colony, played a major role in winning America’s freedom from England, endured the War of 1812 and suffered major losses in the Civil War.

Relive the African American struggle, the steamboat era, development of farming, and cultural, political and educational changes and influences.

Come and research on-site in the library and media room. Archival research mate - rials are available. All of our historical bulletins can be found on the website; www.ecmhs.org.

Visit the Rappahannock River Gift Shop located in the museum where a wide range of historical books and genealogi - cal materials are available including sub- jects by local authors. The gift shop also offers children’s books, historical toys and a variety of unique gifts.