Mathews County is a charming, small, rural community located on Virginia's Middle Penninsula. In 1791, Brigadier General Thomas Mathews, then speaker of the House of Delegates of the General Assembly of Virginia, introduced a resolution for the formation of a new county consisting of the Kingston Parish of Gloucester County.
The County was divided from Gloucester effective May 1, 1791. Mathews celebrated its Bicentennial in 1991. The Mathews County seal was adopted on February 11, 1793, and symbolizes the shipbuilding industry, which was of major importance to the economy of the county. The Continental Navy built many of its ships in Mathews during the American Revolution. Many historic homes erected in the 18th Century have been well kept and are still in use, including Woodstock, Providence, and Green Plains.
The County is also known as the daffodil center of the Middle Peninsula and is known for the annual fall festival on the historic courthouse square (Market Days) which draws visitors from across Virginia. Mathews County still does not have any traffic lights. However, there are lights placed at either end of the swing span bridge to Gwynn's Island that could be considered traffic lights by some. The County's Governing Body consists of the County's Board of Supervisors, which includes five members elected at large who serve four year staggered terms. The Board meets in the historic courthouse on the fourth Tuesday each month at 1:00 p.m., except in December (time and date to be announced).
