NEWSLETTER

Eastern Shore of Virginia Barrier Islands Center

Winter 2013

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Heart of the Community, Soul of a Culture

You are invited to an

Oyster Roast Fundraiser at the Barrier Islands Center

Saturday, February 23 ● Beginning at 4 p.m.

** Limited Tickets ** $60 per person

(See inside cover for more information.)

Oyster Roast Fundraiser

Eastern Shore roasted oysters & steamed clams

***

Carolina-style pork BBQ and all the fixings

***

Warm up to Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting

Coffee & Peanuts

***

Delicious clam chowder

***

$10 for Chatham Vineyard Wines

& Premium Beer - including refills

Tickets go on sale January 8th to

Barrier Islands Center members and

to general public on January 15th.

Sorry, no refunds.

LIMITED TICKETS

Paper tickets will not be issued.

Names of paid guests will be

confirmed by staff upon

arrival at the event.

I wish to contribute to the Barrier Islands Center’s Annual Fund

□ $25 □ $50 □ $100

□ $250 □ $500 □ $1000

□ Other

Name(s):

Address:

City:

State:

Phone:

Email:

Payment Options:

□ Enclosed is my check

□ Please charge my gift to:

□ Visa □ MasterCard □ Discover

Acct. Number:

Exp. Date: Code #:

Signature:

Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law

BIC - PO Box 206, Machipongo, VA 23405

Dear Friend of the Barrier Islands Center,

What an exciting year it’s been...educational classes for all ages, a new movie, fun

events, and now a book!

Unique programs serve all ages…

Through a series of field trips focused on coastal themes, BIC introduces local Pre-K

children to art and music from around the world. Elementary, middle and high

school students experience the unique ecology of barrier islands through seaside

boat trips aboard the MV Oyster Catcher.

Maybe you come for the history…

Local Shore artisans bring life to the “Oyster Shuckers’ Hall of Fame” exhibit. A

second documentary film, “Spirit of the Bird,” is a poignant meditation on the myriad

ways hunting, art and memory intersect in the lives of those keeping the tradition

alive.

Return for the events…

BIC brings people together from all over the region to enjoy the best of the Shore.

Whether it’s locally raised oysters and clams, an opportunity to enjoy Virginia roots

music at Art & Music on the Farm, or speaker events, the BIC will enrich your life.

And now a book!

First in a series of illustrated children’s books, The Hog Island Sheep in a Twisted

Christmas Tale is a cleverly written story that will inspire and entertain all ages.

You make all this happen! Your gift to the BIC’s Annual Fund supports broad-based

programming that educates all ages. Thank you for ensuring that the gift of learning

continues at the Barrier Islands Center.

Sincerely,

Laura Vaughan

The MV Oyster Catcher

This fall over 280 people (138 of them students) from the Eastern Shore

and Tidewater areas experienced firsthand the unique ecology of our

Barrier Islands through seaside boat trips aboard the Oyster Catcher

skipjack. The Oyster Catcher is an old Chesapeake Bay Buy Boat that had

been converted to a river cruiser. This 75-foot skipjack, built in the 1980s,

was extensively renovated in the past 10 years. The owners, Dana Hokin

and her husband Robert Garvey, have graciously loaned the Barrier

Islands Center use of the boat for educational and development purposes.

It has been the ideal vehicle to showcase our glorious seaside and Barrier

Islands.

Students from Williams School in Norfolk, Broadwater Academy, Cape

Charles Christian, and Eastern Shore homeschoolers enjoyed field trips on

the boat, as well as new teachers from Northampton County public

schools in an effort to introduce the educators to the magnificent area

where they now live. Children and adult decoy carving classes were held

on the boat - a perfect environment

to create their carvings.

Virginia’s 55-mile coastline represents the wildest remaining stretch of the

east coast. Scientists from the University of Virginia’s Long-Term Ecological

Research Project, William and Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science,

and The Nature Conservancy partnered with the Barrier Islands Center to

enrich the passengers’ educational experience during seaside excursions.

An eleven-year-old student’s comment illustrates a fact that a large percentage

of our community remains unacquainted with the global treasure in their own

backyard: “My favorite thing that happened on the boat was when we got near

the Atlantic Ocean. That was my first time in the ocean’s waters and on the

seaside of the Eastern Shore.”

A special thank you to Furlong and

Eyre Baldwin who made this

incredible opportunity a reality and a

huge thank you Dana Hokin and

Robert Garvey for their incredible

generosity.

All Aboard!

Williams School Field Trip

Children’s Carving Class

What’s been going on around the BIC...

“Christmas with a Twist” Decorating Fun!

Wool Spinning Demo Shuckers Exhibit Book Reading

BIC’s Documentary Premiere Kids love music! Kids love art!

Oyster Catcher Cruise Pre-K Fun! Dog Obedience Fun!

CPR Class

Saturday, March 16th

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dates to Remember

Sundays, Jan. 6th - Feb. 10th, 11:00 a.m.

Basic Obedience Dog Class

***

Sundays, Jan. 6th - Feb. 10th, 12:30 p.m.

Introduction to K9 Nose Work® Dog Class

***

Sundays, Jan. 6th - Feb. 10th, 2:00 p.m.

Introduction to Odor Dog Class

***

Wednesdays, Jan. 16th - Feb. 20th, 3:45-4:45

ART NOW - Children’s Art Class

***

Saturday, Jan. 19th - 6:00 p.m.

Tales from Tangier

***

Tuesday, January 22nd, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Rolled and Dipped Candle Making Class

***

Tuesday, January 29th, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Container and Mold Candle Making Class

***

Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 2nd and 3rd, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Adult “Fish Art” Carving Class

***

Saturday, February 9th, 1:00-3:15 p.m.

Children’s “Fish Art” Class

***

Friday, February 15th at 10:30 a.m.

BIC Coffee Hour Lecture Series

“The Work of Frank W. Benson -

The Founder of the American Sporting Print”

***

Saturday, February 23rd, 4 p.m.

Oyster Roast Fundraiser

***

Saturday, March 16th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

CPR Class with instructor Andy Dunton

Class participants will learn primary and

secondary First Aid for adults/infants, ADI, and

CPR with instructor Andy Dunton. Class size

is limited to 12 people. Cost: $40 (covers all

books and materials).

Thank you to the captains of the MV Oyster

Catcher, Steve “Smitty” Smith and

Marcus Killmon, for widening our

horizons and keeping us safe!

Save the Date! Art & Music on the Farm

Saturday, May 25th

Steve “Smitty” Smith Marcus Killmon

Dogs on the Farm

Basic Obedience: Learn the fundamentals of companion

obedience and how to communicate with your best friend.

Your dog will learn mouth manners (take it, leave it, get it,

drop it), control behaviors (sit, down, stay) and safety

behaviors (wait, recall). We’ll also work on polite leash walking

and more, and add games and tricks to keep your dog engaged

and learning. No prerequisite - this is where your dog’s

education starts!

Class starts Sunday, Jan. 6, 11:00 a.m. 6 weeks, $120.

Limit: 8 dogs.

Introduction to K9 Nose Work ®: The next fun activity for

dogs is here on the Eastern Shore! Nose Work is a new activity

and sport, based on detection dog training techniques. Help

your dog recover his ability to follow scent to its source. Any

dog can do it, regardless of training and social skills. Dogs are

crated between runs, and work one at a time on boxes to

develop consistent “hunt drive” and focus. Your dog will be

introduced to container, interior and exterior searches, as well.

No prerequisite.

Class starts Sunday, Jan. 6, 12:30 p.m. 6 weeks, $120.

Limit: 6 dogs.

Introduction to Odor: Teach your dog to search for specific

(non-food) scents and challenge your dog’s ability to drive to

odor source. After basic exercises, your dog will be able to

solve new scent problems, including interiors, exteriors, and

vehicle searches. This class prepares your dog for the Odor

Recognition Test, competition, and our Traveling Nose Work

Practice Group. Prerequisite: Introduction to K9 Nose Work®.

Class starts Sunday, Jan. 6, 2 p.m. 6 weeks, $120.

Limit: 6 dogs.

Classes are taught by Beth Ann Sabo, Certified

Professional Dog Trainer and Associate Canine Nose

Work Instructor. Pre-registration is required. Please

contact bethann@easternshoredog.com to register or

for additional information. Classes can be attended

individually or as a series.

Come Learn With Us...

Children’s

“Fish Art”

Class

Young artists and craftsmen will be

supplied a solid color, previously painted

fish body by Bobby Bridges that they will

turn into a creative masterpiece by adding

fins, tails, eyes, paint detail and more. The

power of their young imaginations will

produce a work of “fish art” ready to swim

the Eastern Shore breezes in their own

backyard or adorn that perfect spot in

their room.

Saturday, Feb. 9th, 1:00-3:15 p.m., $60

“Think left and think right

and think low and think high. Oh the things you can

think up if you only try.” - Dr. Seuss

Blue Dog by George Rodrique

ART NOW - Children’s Art Class

So many times we introduce children to the work of artists who are no longer living. While it’s important to learn about master artists, we want to show that art is very much alive and kicking! In this Abrakadoodle art session, the children will take a look at a wide range of contemporary artists and learn about their work - Artists like George Rodrique, Icter, Chinese artist Wang Yani, and more. We’ll also explore art-related careers, so students can take a look at what artists are doing now.

Wednesdays 3:45-4:45 p.m., Jan. 16th-Feb. 20th - $75

Adult “Fish Art” Carving Class

Get a jump on the Eastern Shore fishing

season with Bobby Bridges. Carve and

create a fish of your choice (patterns

provided) that will dance in your

garden breezes for years to come.

Many bright colors of paint or copper/

bronze patina will also be provided for

your creation. No sharp tools involved

- just a great weekend of indoor fishing

at the BIC!

Saturday and Sunday

Feb. 2nd and 3rd

1:00-3:00 p.m.

$100

“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on” - Albert Einstein

Candle Making

Classes with Instructor

Mary Clements

Rolled and Dipped

Tuesday, Jan. 22nd from 1:00-4:00 p.m. - $30

Everyone gets to make at least one rolled and a pair of dipped

candles. They will learn about basic equipment needed for safe

wax work. Students will make a rolled candle from preformed

foundation and make their own sheets for rolls. They will learn

pouring tips and how to decorate and package the candles.

Container and Mold

Tuesday, Jan. 29th from 1:00-4:00 p.m. - $30

Everyone gets to make at least one large and one small container

candle. Students will learn about the basic equipment needed for

safe wax work, wick sizes and prepping, and types of containers

suited for candles. As a bonus, participants can learn about skin

care products made from beeswax, including recipes.

Participants in both classes will learn

about beeswax, including how the bees make it, how

it’s harvested and cleaned, and the traditional uses

besides candle making.

BIC Coffee Hour Lecture Series John T. Ordeman presents

“The Work of Frank W. Benson -

The Founder of the American Sporting Print Genre”

Friday, February 15th at 10:30 a.m. - FREE

Exhibit of Frank W. Benson, Master of the Sporting Print: February 12th - March 1st. The exhibition in

the BIC gallery will feature etchings and drypoints by Frank W. Benson, the founder of the American

sporting print genre and one of the country’s most distinguished graphic artists. These prints are from the

collection of John T. Ordeman, the curator of an exhibit of Benson’s work at the Ward Museum and the

author of several books on Mr. Benson’s work. The book, Frank W. Benson: Etchings, Drypoints, Lithographs and

Prints, was published last spring.

What we love about the Shore... is a continuing BIC effort to share our Eastern Shore favorites with

the new teachers in our area.

As a follow up to an earlier fall seaside cruise, in early December

the BIC introduced this passionate group to Jonathan Wehner

of Chatham Vineyards and Louise Oliver, chef extraordinaire.

Guests enjoyed exquisite cuisine paired with delicious local wines.

“What a truly fabulous event! Your enthusiasm for our beautiful

Eastern Shore is definitely contagious! Our teachers are far from

their hometowns and for many it is their first rural living

experience. Your welcoming events have introduced them to our

unique diverse culture and resources. Thanks for your hospitality.

They are more aware of many of our wonderful local businesses.

On behalf of Northampton County Public Schools, I am sending our sincere thanks to the BIC

staff, Jon, and Louise for an evening of wonderful food, beverages, and conversation. Thank you

for the BIC’s continued support of our new teachers.” - Sallie James, Occohannock Elementary

New Teacher Mentor

Tales from Tangier An Evening of Lively Stories

Saturday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m.

Barrier Islands Center

FREE

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will host an evening of

storytelling about the past, present, and future life on Tangier

Island. Some of Tangier’s most colorful characters will share

treasured memories and perspectives that exemplify the unique

lifestyle that is Tangier.

Scheduled speakers include the Mayor of Tangier James

“Ooker” Eskridge, Charles and Cindy Parks, Lonnie and Carol

Moore, and others. The evening of storytelling will be hosted

by Don Baugh, CBF’s Vice President of Education, who will ask

speakers to reflect on their childhood and how life is changing

and becoming more challenging on Tangier. They share a love

and concern for their unique home in the middle of the

Chesapeake Bay. All realize that a healthier Bay is key to

maintaining a healthy economy for the future of the island.

At the conclusion of the storytelling, the Chairplace Players, a

bluegrass band from Craddockville, VA., will perform.

Remember...

Oyster Roast tickets

go on sale to

BIC Members first!

Get your

membership today!

757.678.5550

Making Progress on our Challenge

Thanks to incredible outpouring from so many, the

Barrier Islands Center has made great progress

toward our Campaign goal of $2.6 million. Since

day one, supporters of the Barrier Islands Center

realized the need for a restricted account where

interest, not principal, can be spent to assure the

Center’s long-term sustainability.

Members of the board of directors initiated a

campaign in January 2011 to create an endowment for the Center’s educational programs, community

outreach, and capital funds for completion of renovations to the historic property. At this time in December

2012, you have raised over $2.7 million in gifts and pledges! But we are not quite finished. In addition to Mrs.

Batten’s extraordinary $1 million endowment gift, she has also made a $500,000 challenge to match dollar for

dollar every new endowment gift up to $500,000. Over $416,000 has been raised. With less than $84,000 left

to meet the challenge, your gift will take BIC across the finish line! If you have already helped meet the

challenge, thank you! If you have not yet invested, now is a great time to help us make the match. Thanks so

much for considering a gift to the Campaign which will be matched dollar for dollar by Mrs. Batten’s

$500,000 Endowment Challenge.

For more information about our Campaign and Endowment Challenge, please contact Laura Vaughan or Patty

Kellam at 757-678-5550 or barrierislandscenter@live.com. We’d love to have your support at any level!

My gift of $ to the BIC will be paid over a period of years. (All payments are due by

December 31, 2016.)

Enclosed is my initial payment of $ . Balance will be paid in annual, semi-annual,

or quarterly installments of $ beginning the _______ (month) of (year).

□ Please send me pledge payment reminders.

Name (as you wish it to appear on the list):

Address: City: State:

Zip: Phone: Email:

□ Check enclosed, payable to the Barrier Islands Center

□ Please charge my credit card: Visa/MC/Discover Card #

Exp. Date Billing Zip: Signature:

My/my spouse’s company will match the gift. Name of company:

□ I have included the Barrier Islands Center in my estate plans.

Barrier Islands Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible as provided by the law.

P.O. Box 206 ● Machipongo, VA 23405

The Mystery at Willis Wharf

Eastern Shore’s Neglected Civil War Site

By Jerry Doughty

(Final installment of a series of six)

Recap: A Union naval blockade extended

from Maryland to Texas in order to stop

commerce supplying the Confederacy.

Willis Wharf was known as Downings Wharf

from 1739 to about 1880. The sheltered

deep water channel now known as Parting

Creek, rather than its original name of

Machipongo Creek, led in from the Atlantic

Ocean and Virginia’s Barrier Islands. This

made the area a highly desirable commercial

site. In addition, there is an old story about a

fabulous treasure secreted there.

Very little remains today in Willis Wharf of the Civil War era other than six known cemeteries, an old

house named Greenville on the present Terry Family property, a three-acre lot with a curious reputation –

the current post office is located on it – and, of course, the familiar old store house which in recent years

served as a restaurant.

The store was originally a much smaller one-story structure with an attached barroom. It dates to

the 1840s, replacing one that burned in the Bigelow Shipyard fire of 1837. Mr. George Floyd Willis and his

brother-in-law Mr. Henry Clay Johnson enlarged the building and added a second floor in the early 20th

century. The older part of the store was, in effect, “swallowed up.” But there was much more. A birds-eye

view would have revealed several homes, at least two water grist mills, warehouses, docks and slips for

schooners, sloops, and other vessels.

A gut from the creek led almost to the large sectioned home of Edward Littleton Willis which he had

purchased from Richard Bayly Winder in 1854. It was originally built by the Downing family – hence the

name Downings Wharf. The north side of the Willis Wharf Road contained the Bagwell plantation and a

three acre lot owned by the Rev. Williams Laws, a prominent businessman and founder of Modest Town

Baptist Church. The Willis plantation and lands owned by the Mears, Kellam, Robbins, and other families

neatly divided the area on the south side of the road. Some members of these families had once been old

time sea captains.

Mr. Willis headed a consortium of businessmen from both counties whose many plans included the

establishment of quality resorts on the barrier islands. Sportsmen had been coming to the area during the

1850s. There was a small inn on Hog Island and another on Cobb’s Island to the south. The Cobb Family also

had a hunting lodge on Mockhorn Island in 1852. Mr. Nathan F. Cobb, Sr. had plans for a grand resort of his

own.

Despite the Eastern Shore’s poor roads, the small Willis store boasted a huge clientele ranging from

the southern tip of Northampton County to residents living well up into Accomack County. The store house

ledger, preserved on microfilm at the Eastern Shore Public Library, reads like a social register of prominent

families. They would have purchased cloth, cheese, clothing, fresh vegetables, building supplies, coffee,

The Willis/Johnson Storehouse at Willis Wharf in 1939. The pre-Civil War section is across the front. - Photo courtesy of Jerry Doughty

spices, tobacco, and medicines that can only be obtained by prescription today. Of course, you could buy

drinks in the popular barroom. There were other stores available, yet people came from all over to

Downings Wharf.

With the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861, many local families became ardent supporters of the

Confederacy. Willis Wharf native James Samuel Kellam recruited men for Company D of the 39th Regiment

Virginia Infantry Confederate States of America at the Willis store, of which he was one third owner. Store

customers Dr. Charles Smith became the colonel of the regiment, and Richard Bayly Winder in 1864 was

burdened with the impossible task of supplying the prisoner of war camp at Andersonville, Georgia. When

the peninsula was occupied by Union forces in November 1861, Col. Smith ordered his men to cross the Bay

and join other Confederate units. Many joined the 19th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery in defense of

Richmond. Others were trapped on the Eastern Shore.

Union forces occupied Willis Wharf and were quartered at the home of Healy Drummond Bagwell.

His son, Lieutenant Healy Parker Bagwell, was put under house arrest. The younger Bagwell’s daughter,

Bettie, remembered that the officer-in-charge would place his weapons on the mantle so as not to frighten

the children.

Many Confederate Soldiers on leave managed to cross the Bay for visits. Miss Elizabeth Willis’

sweetheart and future husband was Teackle Wescott. It seemed that Wescott was in the habit of leaving

messages for his beloved under a rock by the icehouse near the Willis family home. One day Elizabeth and

sister Mary were “checking the mail” and were suddenly surrounded by Yankees. In order to protect Teackle

from capture, Elizabeth ate the letter. How she managed this feat is nothing short of amazing.

Why were the Yankees in Willis Wharf? It had to do with blockade runners operating on the Atlantic

side of the peninsula. Let’s consider another birds-eye view, this time of the whole Eastern Shore and the

barrier islands. The Union navy controlled the mouth of the Bay but found it difficult to patrol creeks on the

Bayside. The two counties were thickly forested and featured creeks, guts and secluded beaches. Supplies

were coming in on ships from the seaside and then smuggled across the Bay up to Richmond.

Boats of suspected blockade runners were burned, and Union soldiers were stationed on Hog and

other islands where they were entertained by mosquitoes and biting flies. Friendly ships with supplies

purchased in Europe and elsewhere were anchored in international waters. Using prearranged light signals,

local blockade runners (men, boys and even women) under the cover of darkness contacted these ships in

small boats. An oyster boat might carry a cargo of morphine and surgical instruments. An old gentleman

dozing on a porch, a wizened fisherman, or a store clerk became quite active at night.

When Rev. Laws, property owner at Willis Wharf, died in October 1861, his sons Martin and William

took over their father’s many businesses. For a while Martin also ran the blockade. He then switched sides

and became a detective for the Union helping track down blockade runners. Martin later went to Kansas.

We wonder why!

In 1862, there was a Union raid on the Willis store house. Certainly they were not looking for Willis

Wharf’s legendary treasure, but rather smuggled goods that would help the Confederate cause.

Complete credits for the series and a large selection of Civil War material is available at the Eastern Shore of

Virginia Barrier Islands Center.

PTSTD STD

Non-Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

Permit #206

Machipongo, VA

Barrier Islands Center ● PO Box 206 ● Machipongo, VA 23405