Museum Information

Essex and its county seat, Tappahannock, lie on the beautiful Rappahannock River in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. The Essex County Museum, founded in 1996, and the Essex County Historical Society joined forces in 2006 to celebrate the heritage of the town, county, river, and its people and is now the Essex County Museum and Historical Society (ECMHS).  

Located at 218 Water Lane in Tappahannock, the Museum houses a number of exhibits that include pre-historic through modern displays of life in Essex and on the Rappahannock River. In addition to these collections, the museum has a research room with a small library as well as a Gift Shop with handcrafted jewelry, home accessories, art, books, children’s toys and games, and more!   All proceeds from the shop benefit ECMHS’s programs and operations.

Outreach is an important component of the Museum’s mission and ECMHS collaborates with other museums on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula to bring a “History on the Go” program to local elementary schools. The Essex County Museum also has a variety of other educational programs that are offered either at the museum or in another venue as well as live and virtual programs throughout the year that are offered to the community.

Our Mission: Preserve, Educate, Inspire

To preserve the rich heritage and history of the county; to educate citizens of Essex County and visitors through stimulating educational programs, publications and displays including historic memorabilia; and to inspire an interest in further research and appreciation of the unique traditions that a part of Essex County

We are located at 218 Water Lane, Tappahannock, VA  22560

Our phone number is (804) 443-4690 

Our mailing address is PO Box 404, Tappahannock, VA 22560.

Hours of Operation

We are open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.