Children's Museums

Isle of Wight County Museum

Name: Isle of Wight County Museum
Address: 103 Main St, Smithfield, VA 23430, Smithfield, VA, US
Telephone: (757) 356-1223
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (180 reviews)

📍 103 Main St, Smithfield, VA 23430

📞 (757) 356-1223

🌐 www.historicisleofwight.com

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	10 AM–4 PM
Tuesday	10 AM–4 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–4 PM
Thursday	10 AM–4 PM
Friday	10 AM–4 PM
Saturday	10 AM–4 PM
Sunday	12–4 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Isle of Wight County Museum

History exhibits & world's oldest ham. Home to the world's oldest ham, this local museum offers interactive history exhibits & a gift shop. The museum houses the world's oldest cured ham, preserved since 1902—over 120 years old. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 180 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Founded: 1976
Highlights: World's Oldest Smithfield Ham (since 1902), interactive country store, colonial and Civil War exhibits
Notable Feature: HAM CAM live feed and ham with Twitter account

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum houses the world's oldest cured ham, preserved since 1902—over 120 years old
⭐The world's oldest ham has its own live 24/7 HAM CAM feed and Twitter account for public monitoring
⭐The museum features an interactive turn-of-the-century country store exhibit where visitors can experience early 1900s retail
⭐Children can participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the museum and dig for shark teeth to keep as souvenirs

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Complete the scavenger hunt while touring the museum to enhance your visit and engage with exhibits more deeply. Staff will provide it upon request.
💬At just $4 admission, this is an exceptional value. Don't miss the unique exhibits featuring the world's oldest cured ham and peanut, plus the interactive shark teeth digging activity for kids.
💬Plan to explore both the main floor and basement level exhibits. The basement area houses notable attractions like the smashed penny machine, so budget time for the full experience.
💡If you're a ham enthusiast, check out the live HAM CAM feed available 24/7 before or after your visit, and follow the museum's ham Twitter account for updates on the world's oldest ham.
💡Arrive ready for a warm, friendly welcome from knowledgeable staff who can provide recommendations and help you navigate exhibits about local history and Smithfield's unique heritage.