MCHS PHOTOSOpening to visitors on Saturday, June 27 will be Tompkins Cottage, left, and the Thomas James Store, right, both in Mathews Court House, and maintained by the Mathews County Historical Society.

Tompkins Cottage and Thomas James Store museums in Mathews Court House will open for the 2020 season on Saturday, June 27. Both historic structures are celebrating their 200th birthdays this year and will be commemorated, said Reed Lawson, president of the Mathews County Historical Society which maintains and opens both.

Tompkins Cottage

The cottage, which is headquarters for the society and located at 43 Brickbat Road, is named for Christopher Tompkins, a local sea captain, planter, local merchant and member of the state legislature who lived at Poplar Grove. He bought the cottage property in 1837 and is the first known owner. Over the years, it has been several different businesses as well as a residence and was previously known as the Miller House.

The east room, hall ...