Walking down Main Street Reedville is a special treat for any Rivah-loving history buff! The beautifully preserved historical houses along with the charming, vintage ambiance of the town make Reedville a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the Northern Neck.
There are many stories to be told about the families and founders of Reedville and the generations that have shaped it into the quaint little town it is today. Luckily, in just a short period of time, you can accumulate a lot of knowledge simply by visiting the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum.
The Reedville Fisherman’s Museum is located on the banks of Cockrell Creek on a parcel of land that was once owned by Captian Elijah Reed. There are several different buildings and areas of interest on the property for visitors to engage with and explore.
The William Walker House is the oldest structure existing on the property. It was built in 1875 and served as a family home until it was purchased in 1986 by the Greater Reedville Association. The house was restored and opened as the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum in 1986. In 1995 the house was refurbished and today serves as an example of a waterman’s home at the turn of the previous century.
The Covington Building opened in 1995 as the main exhibit space and it features both changing and permanent displays in its 3 different galleries. The Reed Gallery consists of a long-term exhibition depicting the lives of watermen, the art of Menhaden fishing, and even details of Native American presence in the past. The Frayne Gallery hosts changing displays, each with a specific topic relative to the history of the area. The Watermen’s Gallery is the museum’s newest space and also features changing exhibits. Currently on display is “Then and Now – Intrepid Boats of the Chesapeake”
The museum also features an impressive collection of artifacts and even a small research library. The Covington house also houses the Museum Shop where you can pick up a one-of-a-kind keepsake or gift.
The model shop is a community favorite among the museum’s offerings. See the entire town of Reedville in miniature form with scaled models depicting various historical points around Reedville. These tiny replicas are created with remarkable detail and are fascinating to look at for viewers young and old. There is even a working model train representing the many attempts made to establish a railroad in the area between 1869 and 1920. Be sure to keep an eye on the event calendar so you don’t miss the annual running of the trains! Dates are TBD
The Pendleton Building is home to the Boat Shop, which was established in 2004. This space is filled with equipment and tools available to the volunteer woodworkers who work to restore and recondition wooden boats with ties to the area. The boat shop is a great place to watch and learn more about the art of repairing a wooden boat.
Step outside and explore the Wendell G. Haynie Pavilion. The space features “The Butler Boats of the Chesapeake,” a free-standing display of four of the wooden Chesapeake skiffs built by three generations of the Butler family who owned the Reedville Maritime Railway. These boats represent a bygone era and craft of wooden boat building and are great examples of sturdy construction with local materials.
Be sure to take some time to walk around the outdoor portion of the property and enjoy the Herman M. Krentz Pilothouse, the Watermen’s Memorial, the shoreline garden and more!
In addition to the Museum’s “on land” collection, the museum also possesses a fleet of 5 boats representing different periods throughout Reedville’s History.
The Reedville Museum hosts a plethora of events and activities throughout the year. The annual 4th of July celebration is a favorite for both locals and visitors and draws large crowds for a full day of fun and festivities. Click here to see this year’s current schedule of events and be sure to add a trip to Reedville to your summer bucket list!
Photos and information courtesy of the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum
