Copied from Free Lance Star

IRVINGTON

–AFTER the Civil War, as prosperity returned to the region touched by the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, it was the steamboat that hastened change.

In little towns such as Port Royal, Lottsburg and others up and down the river, produce began to flow from farm fields to big-city markets. Canneries sprouted on creeks and other waterways to process everything from tomatoes to herring roe.

Country stores, suddenly able to give customers from King George to White Stone items from Baltimore and beyond, popped up and began to thrive.

From May to early fall, patrons from Reedville to Fredericksburg could see actors and vaudeville productions on the James Adams Floating Theater.

A stage and theater nestled nicely onto a 138-foot barge. The water-going production did several shows a day, making it possible for patrons to see "Peg O' My Heart" without a long trip to a big city.

Church camps also popped up in several places, luring locals and families from as far away as Norfolk and Baltimore to spend weeks in the woods convening in the cool under the trees.

At Wharton Grove in Weems, a Methodist revival camp in Lancaster County, more than 3,000 people would attend Sunday services at the camp that was the closest thing to a vacation getaway for most.

These changes and more are featured in a fascinating exhibit at the Steamboat Era Museum in Irvington.

It's called "Steamboat's A' Comin'" and it chronicles the way the steamboat lines–which moved people, produce and goods along the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers–brought prosperity and social change in the period from 1870 to 1975.

Using oral histories, exhibits and a captivating number of real donated artifacts, the exhibit focuses on four things: canneries, country stores, Wharton Grove and the floating theater.

Museum Director Terri Thaxton noted that after last year's exhibit on the Civil War's impact on the region, it made sense to show how the steamboats were literal engines of change for the region that stretches from Fredericksburg to the bay.

Reaching out to local historians and those with connections to the topics, the museum found rich stories to share.

"We heard from those who remembered the canneries–that when they would empty the skins and other leftovers from canning tomatoes, the creeks would be red until the next tide," Thaxton said. "Everything that didn't go into the cans went overboard."

The cannery exhibit features a working surface where tomatoes were processed, tokens used by those doing the work and a huge carrier that wheeled the cans from wood-fired boilers.

Labels from the era have been reproduced, with names such a "Pride of Kinsale" and "Nomini Brand" on items ranging from corn to black-eyed peas

A similar display uses a storefront and real items from country stores around the region to show how, suddenly, customers at new stores at or near steamboat stops could get new clothes, a pump-action vacuum cleaner and the latest in men's razors.

Wharton Grove, the display shows, was more than just a spot where the Methodist church operated a camp during summer months. An old pump organ, pictures and testimonials from visitors show that this these week-long revivals were for many the precursor to family vacations.

Pictures of the camp at Weems–where the wharf was a quarter-mile long to handle all the boats and steamboats–show people dressed in full suits and dresses under the trees, staying in four-walled "tents" and walking the grounds at night to socialize.

A quote in a promotional piece touts the fact that camp visitors could fish, swim, visit under the trees or simply "join in the happy throngs under the great Tabernacle."

A scale model of the floating theater is joined by handbills and other information about the show that was a regular up and down the rivers and bay.

One advertisement boasts of "flesh and blood" actors, presumably a reaction to the movies that were starting to show up in that period.

The new exhibit is expected to run at least through December.

Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com

The tiny town of Reedville climbed the charts to the No. 2 fishing port in the United States in terms of pounds landed last year. It is up from third place the year before.

Its catch of 421 million pounds trailed only Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where fishermen unloaded more than 777 million pounds of fish. Reedville's total last year represents a 13 percent increase over its catch of 372.5 million pounds in 2006.

The gain comes despite limits imposed on Reedville's industrial fishing fleet that restricted the amount of menhaden it could catch from the Chesapeake Bay.

Analysts say the fleet found increased numbers of fish in the Atlantic Ocean, where it is not subject to the bay limit.

"It's just the way the fish have distributed the past couple of summers," said Joe Smith, a research biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Beaufort, N.C., who tracks the menhaden harvest.

He said Omega Protein, which operates 10 boats and a reduction factory in Reedville, found good catches of menhaden off the Virginia capes, the Eastern Shore barrier islands and offshore in federal waters where state menhaden catch bans in Delaware and New Jersey do not apply.

Virginia approved its bay catch limit, which remains in effect through 2010, as a precaution against overfishing while scientists attempt to determine how many menhaden frequent the estuary.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission rates the menhaden population as healthy along the coast, but it lacks information on population trends in the bay.

Reedville's rise as a fishing port cheered Chuck Backus, director of the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, which celebrates the town's long history with menhaden.

"It's exciting to note that in addition to maintaining a treasured past, the community of Reedville maintains a national presence in the fishing community," Backus said.

Omega Protein converts its catch into fish meal and oil used for animal feeds and industrial purposes. Reedville also supports a number of snapper rigs, small boats that catch menhaden for crab-pot bait.

The value of Reedville's landings last year was $27.3 million, which ranks it only 28th on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's list of top ports by value.

Virginia's biggest port in terms of money is Hampton, which ranks fifth nationwide at $70.2 million. Hampton had been ranked ninth in 2006 with $51 million in landings. A rise in scallop and summer flounder landings accounts for the increase, said Jack Travelstead, deputy commissioner at Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

Contact Lawrence Latané III at (804) 333-3461 or llatane@timesdispatch.com

Dutch Harbor-Unalaska netted the top landings slot for the 19th consecutive year, according to NOAA's Fisheries Service. Reedville, Va., ranked as the number two port for quantity of landings in 2007 with 421.0 million pounds. Empire-Venice, La., was third at 323.1 million. The major fish product landed in both Reedville and Empire-Venice was menhaden.

Mr. Gordon Burgess of Reedville is a green pioneer. He has installed a wind turbine to generate electricity for his home. In addition, he has solar panels on his roof and uses geo-thermal energy to heat and cool his house. After a year-long study performed by James Madision University that used an anemonmeter to study the average wind speed at his property, it was determined that his site exceeded the “fair” conditions necessary to run the wind turbine. He jumped the necessary hurdles to have the permit granted in the county and now his meter is making more electricity than he can use. Because he is hooked to the grid, netmetering allows him to sell back the additional energy to the electrical company. It’s a win-win situation. The environment wins and the Burgess family wins! Superintendent Clint Stables wants Northumberland County Public Schools to follow the example of Mr. Burgess and demonstrate that wind energy is a viable alternative source of energy on the Chesapeake Bay. Whether the school decides on a tilt-up system like the one in Reedville or a self-supporting stand like at JMU, the prospect of Northumberland County leading the way in alternative energy is exciting!

The Reedville Fisherman's Museum in Virginia will bring The Spirit of 1608, its reproduction of Capt. John Smith's "discovery barge," to the Avalon area of Patapsco Valley State Park June 28 and 29 as part of the 400th anniversary of Smith's exploration of the Chesapeake Bay. The vessel will be docked near the Avalon Visitor Center parking lot on South Street, Halethorpe. Volunteer re-enactors accompanying the vessel will offer historical interpretations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Information: 410-465-32

Near Reedville, VA on Cockrells Creek and minutes away from the Chesapeake Bay is this 48 Deep Water Boat Slip Marina and Seafood Restaurant. Also included in the sale of this established business is a 1300 square foot waterfront home.

$1,950,000                  Call 804-366-2325

PUBLIC REMARKS:    Waterfront Restaurant and marina with 100 person sitting capacity - 48 slips plus transient slips. With the sale of this ongoing and established business, since 1986, a 1300 sqft waterfront home is included.Tthe restaurant is open for 8 months a year. However with the grown of the NNK in the last 20 years full time operation of the restaurant should be justifiable. Appointments Only! Ken Smith www.ksmithre.com (804)366-2325  m" –>

I have been talking with the owner of a waterfront restaurant and marina about listing his property for sale.

This marina and restaurant are in Fairport on Cockrells Creek. Close to Reedville, Virginia.

This is an established business and zoned commercial.

Included with the restaurant and marina is a single family waterfront home. 

DECEMBER - 2007

1 – Heathsville Golden Christmas – 10-3. RHHT

1-2 – Holiday Open House. Celebrate the holidays with refreshments, tours, tastings, and special holiday wine. 10-5 Sat., 12-5 Sun. Ingleside Oak Grove.

1-2 - George Washington Birthplace Christmas Bazaar. 10-4. Unique gifts in Birthplace book/gift shop at visitor center. Complementary tea, cider, cookies at Log Cabin.

2- Urbanna Holiday House Tour – 10-5. Selected homes and businesses decorated for holiday. 758-9850 $

2 – Tree of Love illumination, Richmond County Courthouse. Christmas caroling, memorial lights, refreshments, tour of decorated museum. 4 pm. Warsaw.

6- “O Come All Ye Faithful” Traditional songs, carols, and hymns sung a capella. Historic Christ Church volunteers and community friends are invited to participate in this seasonal songfest in the beautifully “greened” church. 3:00 pm. Historic Christ Church, Irvington.

7-8 – Annual Christmas at Stratford Hall. 4:30-8:00 pm. Start your tour with a presentation on Christmas traditions in the Visitor Center and then cross the foot bridge to refreshments and caroling. Learn how food was prepared at the outdoor kitchen and then join your guide at the Great Hall for music and dancing. Cost of the tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Restaurant is open by reservation only. Cost for dinner and tour is $48 for adults and $24 for children. Stratford.

8 – Santa arrives in Reedville. 9:00 am. St. Nick arrives by boat at the dock of the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum.

8 – Santa arrives at the Richmond County Museum. 1-4 pm, photo with Santa, refreshments, gifts, and corner gift shop open. Warsaw.

8-9 – Annual Christmas on Cockrell’s Creek house tour and holiday event. Reedville Fishermen’s Museum.

8-9 - Holiday Open House. Celebrate the holidays with refreshments, tours, tastings, and special holiday wine. 10-5 Sat., 12-5 Sun. Ingleside 

14 – Holly Ball Exhibit – Kilmarnock Museum.

14 – Kilmarnock’s Annual Illuminated Christmas Parade.

14 – Colonial Beach House Tour.

15 – Christmas Open House. Come celebrate the season. Refreshments. Mary Ball Washington Museum. Lancaster.

15-16- Art open house. 11-5, poetry and music. Sunday - 3-5 pm. A-Ibanez Museum & Sunrise Studio gallery 

29 – Join in the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas. The Memorial House is decorated for Christmas, candlelit and filled with Colonial music. The plantation will be busy with demonstrations and activities performed by costumed interpreters. 9-6. George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

Remember to keep searching the Northern Neck MLS for your real estate needs.

October Events 

Farmers markets: Saturdays - May through October 

First Saturday – Irvington Farmers Market. 9-1 (through Dec) – 438-9088 

Second Saturday – Downtown Urbanna Farmers Market – 9-1 – 758-2000 

Third Saturday – RHHT Heathsville Farmers Market (April – October)– 580-3377 

1 - Skipjack cruise aboard the Claud W. Somers. 10-1. Reedville Fishermen’s Museum.  

3-31 – Archaeology month. A study of Rappahannock pottery. Richmond County Museum. Warsaw. 333-3607 

5 - First Friday Walkabout. Special celebration in historic Steptoe's District of Kilmarnock starting at 5:00pm. Sponsored by the Rappahannock Art League with a different theme highlighted each month. 

6 – Robert E. Lee 1807-2007: Celebration of an American Icon : Gary Gallagher speaks on Robert E. Lee as Stratford continues its year long celebration of the 200 th anniversary of his birth. Reservations.  

6 - Lottsburg Fall Festival. Fourth annual festival scheduled for October 6 between Allison's Ace Hardware and the Women's Club. Pumpking painting, Buzzie the clown, country music, food, vendors, lots of fun for the whole family.  

13 – 14 th Annual Northern Neck Seafood Extravaganza. Get the best seafood in the Chesapeake Bay area. Enjoy live music, tours, tastings, wine and gift specials. Reservations. 1-5. $45  

13 – Warsawfest. Crafts, rides, parade, food, vendors. Family fun on the grounds of RCC in Warsaw. 

15 - Skipjack cruise aboard the Claud W. Somers. 10-1. Reedville Fishermen’s Museum.  

20-21 – Striper Challenge. 1 st, 2nd places for each species. Rockfish, Trout (specks or grey). Northern Neck Anglers Club.  

20-21- Art open house. 11-5, poetry and music. Sunday - 3-5 pm. A-Ibanez Museum & Sunrise Studio gallery, map & location 

26 – Ghost Stories. On the grounds of the museum. Hot cider and other refreshments. Mary Ball Washington Museum.  

27 – Reedville’s Annual Halloween Event. Costume parade, haunted house, hayrides, children’s activities. 7-8:30 pm. Reedville Fishermen’s Museum.  

27 – Colonial Beach Golf Cart Halloween Parade. 224-8145 

29 - Skipjack cruise aboard the Claud W. Somers. 10-1. Reedville Fishermen’s Museum