Imagine living on a farm in rural Virginia in 1850. Visit the Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum and see for yourself how our ancestors endured this rugged life. Chippokes, one of the oldest continually farmed plantations in the country, is endowed with thousands of artifacts. Many have been generously donated so that the story of Virginia's agriculture and forestry communities may be told.
The exhibits, on display in a series of farm buildings, represent various stages of farm life. They include building a farm, preparing the soil, planting, cultivating and harvesting. Additional exhibits feature tools used by craftsmen such as the blacksmith, wheelwright, cooper and cobbler. Others feature farm animals, processing, preserving, small tools and housewares. Many tools on display were hand-forged by our ancestors, who struggled to raise their crops, gardens and animals by any means.
Many displays show a succession of tools used for the same job. Each was an improvement over its predecessor, 
saving time and energy for the farmer. Wheat harvesting provides an excellent example of this process. First there was the handheld sickle, reaping hook and scythe, which cut the wheat. Next came the handheld grain cradle, which cut wheat and swept it aside. With Cyrus McCormick came the reaper, which allowed the farmer to ride his horse or mule that pulled the reaper. Later still came the grain binder, which also bundled stalks for easy handling. Discover how each invention affected the farmer and his family.
Chippokes features many rare artifacts. One of the oldest is an oxen-drawn plow called a rooter or bull tongue plow. Another of the more valuable artifacts you'll find at the museum is the pre-Civil War wooden-tooth cultivator. There are about 600 items on display as well as more than 8,000 in the museum's inventory. All but a few were donated.
There's also an old sawmill nearby. It was restored and permanently installed as part of the museum's displays in 1993. The mill is operated on special occasions, such as the Chippokes Steam and Gas Engine Show, and the Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival. The museum and the sawmill connect by an 1800-foot forestry interpretive trail that offers a spectacular view of one of the plantation's ravines. Victor Stewart, the previous owner of Chippokes Plantation, bought the unique, portable sawmill in the 1930s.
In addition to permanent exhibits, special displays and demonstrations occur throughout the year. Call the museum at (757) 294-3439 to learn more.
The tax-exempt Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation operates the museum. The foundation is governed by a 15-member advisory board of trustees appointed by the governor. It is funded mainly through contributions from the public. Learn more about how you can help support this special place by calling (804) 786-7950 or writing:
Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum
Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation
101 N. 14th St., 11th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
The museum offers a calendar of events, a guide on group tours and a flier on how its offerings relate to state standards of learning (SOLs). For copies, please call (804) 786-7950 or email cffmuseum@dcr.virginia.gov. Learn more about nearby offerings by visiting www.toursurryva.com.
Hours:
April - May: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
June - August: Friday through Monday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September - October: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
November - March: closed
(Operating hours subject to change.)
Cost: Nominal parking and admission fees. Group rates for admission only. Groups of 25 or more are welcome by reservation by calling (804) 786-7950. Click here for park fees.
Chippokes Plantation State Park has many other historical and recreational offerings (hours differ from those of the museum):
For more park info, please call (757) 294-3625. For additional museum info, call (757) 294-3439.
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Location: Route 634 just off Route 10 at Chippokes Plantation State Park, Surry, Va. |
