Dear Friends,

I love good stories and enjoy learning the history that accompanies them. Recently a new Virginia State Park opened in the southern part of Gloucester County. News of this piqued my interest due to the close proximity of it to my Chesapeake Bay home. The park is named Machicomico, which means special gathering place in the Algonquin language. The views are stunning and the park is bounded on three sides by water. What makes the story great is that this land was likely associated with Tsenacommacah, the name the Powhatan people gave to their homeland. The size of Tsenacommacah was astounding. It encompassed all of Tidewater Virginia and parts of the Eastern Shore. The park acreage is approximately 10 miles downriver from where Chief Powhatan’s home village Werewocomoco was. Artifacts found on the property support the cultural significance of preserving this land. The area had been slated for a housing development, but thankfully that did not happen.

Also located at Machicomico is the Timberneck House. It was erected in 1793, with modifications made in the 1850’s and 1930. It had been a working farm until 2007. The house has deteriorated considerably over time. The Fairfield Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization, is a Gloucester based entity whose mission is to “promote and involve the public in hands-on archaeology, preservation and education activities within Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and surrounding areas.” They began renovation on the house in 2020. This is where I become part of the story. The renovation work is being done by a volunteer workforce, but money is needed to provide materials. I am nearing completion of a painting that will be printed and sold with a portion of the proceeds to benefit this project. If you want a fun way to follow the progress of their work, search using #timbernecktuesdays on Facebook.

Undated photo of Timberneck House. Photo courtesy of Fairfield Foundation.

February 2023 photo of the front of the farmhouse.

Standing further up the property from the house, you can really appreciate the incredible beauty of the land.

Work in progress. In my painting, you will see the house with the original porch and original color of white. Once the release date and event has been scheduled, information will be in a future newsletter.

Until next week,

Love,