About

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.

Local Events

Harriet Tubman & Frederick Douglas
April 27, 2024 - April 27, 2024
Northampton County

Historical interpreters, Nathan M. Richardson and Charmine Crowell-White, will be engaged in a joint discussion of the life story of Frederick Dougla... Read More

Prelude to the Revolution: 2024 First Lecture on the Lawn
June 02, 2024 - June 02, 2024
Northampton County

To honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this lecture is entitled "Prelude to Revolution" and will cover several ev... Read More