This is a celebratory year for the Mathews Museum, now in its 10th year of operation, and the museum’s annual May Faire this Friday and Saturday will be, fittingly, a celebratory affair.
“We are offering this exciting fun-filled weekend as being true to our mission to preserve and promote our cultural heritage and to provide relevant displays, exhibits, and programs for the public,” said co-chairs Josie Thorpe and Barbara Bass.
Longtime veterans of events management in Mathews, Thorpe and Bass are believers that “history can be fun.” To that end, this year’s newly expanded seventh annual heritage festival will celebrate “A Rural Life: Country Stores, Post Offices and Wharfs,” focusing on places where people in Mathews gathered and worked through the years.
Friday’s lineup
There will be a soft opening at 9 a.m. Friday, with nearly 50 craft and food vendors, including farmers’ market vendors, in place on the Mathews Court Green at Church and Court streets until 4:30 p.m.
The Fairfield Foundation archaeological dig will be located on the grounds of Tompkins Cottage on Brickbat Road, along with a ramped-up children’s corner offered by Mathews LIFT and Kiwanis featuring kite making, cork crafts, bubbles, cornhole games, face painting, free cotton candy, and more.
On Friday afternoon, postmasters will speak in the historic courthouse, recounting tales of their life experiences and their days serving the public. The times are 1-2:15 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.
Down the road at the Mathews Museum at 200 Main Street, a pop-up mini exhibit of Mathews quilts will be on display, and a silent auction will be held from 10 a.m. Friday until 3 p.m. Saturday, when winning bidders will be announced. Items being auctioned are as varied as a Victorian glass bowl, a portable propane griddle, a puzzle of Christmas in Paris, and an original watercolor by local artist Lois Biddison, who painted the image on the cover of this year’s May Faire program. Twenty-five numbered prints of the watercolor will be for sale. (See related story here).
The museum will have music by recent Mathews High School graduate Cora Rowe at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, followed at 7 p.m. by a “walk through” of Williams Wharf history from the 1600s up to today by area resident Pam Muffelman.
On Saturday
Vendors, food trucks, the archaeological dig, and the children’s corner will all remain in place through Saturday. Opening ceremonies, held at 9 a.m. on the stage behind the school board building, will feature a welcome by Mathews Museum president Tom Robinson, presentation of the colors by American Legion Post 83, singing of the National Anthem by local business owner Lynette Glockner, and music by the Mathews High School Band.
Music by various performers will continue throughout the day.
Saturday’s events on the green will include a pound cake contest, with winners announced at noon in the museum, followed by sale of the cakes for $20 each at the May Faire information booth on the court green.
Also at noon will be a flyover by local airplane enthusiasts, the crowning of the May Queen, and the May Pole Dance, led by volunteer Melody Barnes.
Postmaster talks will be held in the historic courthouse throughout the day, at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. The talks were arranged by volunteer Dana Brown, a former postmaster who is also responsible for the mini post office.
At the Mathews Museum, visitors will be able to visit Tom Hunley’s General Store, see the Mathews Campeche chair and the historic bellows organ that are on display, and check out ongoing construction of the display area for an exhibit of Dr. Haynes’ medical wagon.
Souvenir programs will be available at the May Faire information booth.
For more information, visit mathewsvamuseum.org.