Northampton County is the southern 35 miles of a 70 mile long stretch of the Delmarva Peninsula known as Virginia’s Eastern Shore. “The Shore” as it is affectionately named, is cradled by the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay or what is known locally as Bayside and Seaside. The Seaside, in particular, contains the largest island wilderness chain on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.
The Shore is a place that has somehow managed to remain relatively unchanged through the times. Its pristine condition is mainly a result of the surrounding waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the County’s isolation to large East Coast metropolises. Generations of families have created a rich tradition of living off the land through farming and fishing.
Northampton is home of the oldest continuous court records in the United States. Its shores are where some of the first European explorers stepped and settle. We have a long story to tell in the Nation’s path to independence and we plan to celebrate this! Join us for history driving tours, lectures, and cultural events. Visit the Cape Charles Museum, the Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo, Peninsula Tractor Organizations Sawmill Mill Museum in Nassawadox, and the Northampton County Preservation Society’s Museum and the Courthouse Green in Eastville. Attend our Annual Agricultural Fair in October and many other heritage events.
Northampton County contains numerous natural and cultural sites, including two large public parks, Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and Kiptopeke State Park, located at the southern end of the county. Historic towns contain buildings that speak to over 350 years of architectural design in the United States.
Sailfest Cape Charles - Sail Virginia 2026 Affiliate HarborIn celebration of America's 250th birthday, Cape Charles will be a Sail Virginia 2026 Affiliate Harbor and will welcome three tall ships to SailFest C... Read More
SailFest Cape CharlesTo help commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States, for seven days in June 2026, more than 55 ships from 20 nations will engage with resident... Read More
Cape Charles July 4th Virginia250 ParadeCape Charles 4th of July festivities are celebrated each year with craft and food vendors set up all day on Bay Avenue. A very festive parade from Bay... Read More
A Commemoration of the Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Historic Eastville Courthouse GreenYou know July 4th is remembered for the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but copies of the historic document did not arrive to rura... Read More
