Isle Of Wight County Museum

Small but informative and interesting local museum. Covers many time time periods and aspects of local areaVery reasonable admission to museum Nice tourist destination when visiting the area

Fantastic experience! My 13 year old son said, "Wow" right after we left. He loves history. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff! They have a scavenger hunt for the kids to get them engaged. Really smart. This is our second visit. $2 for adults and kids under 18 are free. You get to see the worlds oldest ham and peanut! Definitely a must visit. Check them out!

For 2 bucks, it's A-OK (3 stars). Now by the time I get to the post button, I may bump this review up half a star just for the old ham on display, which is kinda interesting. See the review by Anna S. for more on this famous piece of preserved pork. Outlived by a ham. Damn! Also, the movie about Smithfield and it's famous (old) ham is worth half a star, so who knows, I may go four stars on this as I think about it more. And I almost forgot about the oldest peanut. That's two old things for the low low price of 2 dollars. The museum is free for ages 17 and under. Don't recall if there was a senior discount. Plus there are lots old documents and photos, Does this review leave you wanting more? The check out the "LIVE at 12:05" - Watch the Ham Cam for live broadcasts at 12:05 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday! Link is on the homepage ( http://www.historicisleofwight.com/visit-us.html ) . Also on the home page are some on-line exhibits, including a link the "LIVE at 12:05" cam and a walking tour (the FREE UniGuide app is required). Bottom line: Don't miss it. It's well worth the price of admission.

Great museum with tons of history and displays. Informative and oldest ham invaded and the worlds oldest peanut. A reset of an old country store too. Great for kids and adults

What the...how is this not reviewed on Yelp yet? One hundred and eight years ago, Pembroke Decatur Gwaltney, Jr., scion of the Gwaltney Foods Empire, discovered and befriended a ham that his factory's shippers had accidentally left behind. He saved it, wanting to see how long the Gwaltney curing process would keep it "alive."As the decades went by, he and the ham grew closer. He called it his pet. He bought it a brass collar. He insured it for $5,000. He took it to state fairs. I am not making any of this up.The ham lasted longer than he did. But the people of Smithfield have carried the torch of his devotion through the ages. Today, it's kept in the reverential silence of the three-room Isle of Wight County Museum, with veritable handfuls of people paying homage every month. A bored-looking seventy-year-old woman reading a book stands solitary guard, and also sells T-shirts and will take a picture of you with the ham if you ask nicely.Yes, you read that right: This is a museum dedicated to a desiccated ham. Its official title is The World's Oldest Edible Cured Ham, though considering the fact that it is now black, I don't really think the claim to edibility is accurate. Bonus with the $0 cost of admission are exhibits featuring the World's Largest Cured Ham, The World's Oldest Peanut, The World's Largest Ham Biscuit* (the asterisk means "just pictures, because we ate it several years ago"), and several other peanuts and hams that are not notable but are there because you can't create a museum out of just two hams and a peanut. There is also a reproduction general store, complete with mannequins that reminisce about the good old days of Smithfield - in rhyming verse, no less - if you push a button.Every road-tripping lover of kitschy Americana has their bucket list: the world's largest twine ball, the muffler men of the American west, whatever. If you're one of those people, the Isle of Wight County Museum should be on yours.

Sure why not? I mean if you are going to 'play tourist' and actually take the time to stop in Smithfield Virginia, then stop by the museum drop $2.00 in the donation box and do a self tour of the Museum. There is a little theater that has a continually running story about the town, and the area and the history behind Smithfield Ham. After you'll be able to say- saw the oldest peanut and oldest ham...how many can actually brag about THAT?!?

This is amazing place to learn history of Smithfield, the documents and photographs are very interesting. After, visiting the museum take a stroll through downtown and visit the many small business and do a little shopping. Don't forget to make a donation to the museum in your way out.

Small unique and interesting and it's worth taking an hour and walking through this museum one of the most fascinating facts I found out that prior to the Civil War more than half of African-Americans that lived in Smithfield were already freeOnce your finest at this museum is a good idea to go over toThe interesting African-American school house up the street from this museum

Very unique and a great place to visit. The staff is extraordinary. You feel just like a part of the family. If you are ever coming to the town of Smithfield then this is a must do place.