Shore History

Shore History Shore History collects, preserves,
and celebrates Eastern Shore of Virginia
history and culture. The mansion serves as Shore History's headquarters.

Shore History collects, preserves and celebrates the history and culture of Virginia's Eastern Shore. The organization, founded in 1957 as the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society, offers programming for all ages as well as owns and maintains two properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Both are in Onancock, Va., which is centrally located on the 70-mile-long peninsula betwe

en the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Ker Place, built from 1799 to 1803 by John and Agnes Ker, has been dubbed the finest example of Federal-period, Georgian-style architecture on the Eastern Shore. It houses a museum with extensive archives and collections as well as local and traveling exhibits. The home also serves as a rental site for weddings and other special events. The second property, Hopkins & Bro. Store and ferry ticket office at Onancock Wharf, offers a peek into the Shore's maritime history with a lobby exhibit. It currently houses a restaurant and a kayak rental business. The organization also maintains historic Wise Cemetery, where generations of the notable Eastern Shore and Virginia family, are buried. Lastly, the 501(c)(3) operates an upscale home goods consignment shop, the Dogwood Branch. Proceeds from the store benefit Shore History. The shop also is located in Onancock.

Join us THIS Friday June 19th 5:30 -8:30 pm for Sunshine & Margaritas on the Lawn at Ker Place. Admission is Free.We'...
06/17/2026

Join us THIS Friday June 19th 5:30 -8:30 pm for Sunshine & Margaritas on the Lawn at Ker Place. Admission is Free.
We're keeping the good vibes flowing and doing our best sunshine dance all week long! ☀️ While Mother Nature is still making up her mind, we're staying optimistic and looking forward to a great evening of live music, refreshing margaritas, and time spent with friends.
We are ready to celebrate the First Weekend of Summer with great music by The Rhythm Section and great friends! Bring your own chair or blanket.
We will have a cash bar, Fabulous Food Trucks will be on site, El Piscachin and Eastern Shore Catering are ready to serve up delicious eats. Get ready to dance and have some fun.
Stay tuned for any updates, and in the meantime, send us your best sunny thoughts and positive vibes! We can't wait to celebrate with you Friday.

Tickets are now on sale for Shore History's 8th Annual Crab Crackin' at Ker Place, presented by Weichert Realtors - Maso...
06/16/2026

Tickets are now on sale for Shore History's 8th Annual Crab Crackin' at Ker Place, presented by Weichert Realtors - Mason Davis.
The event will be held on Saturday August 15th from 4-8 PM at Ker Place.
Enjoy all-you-can-eat steamed crabs, clams and oysters, sweet corn plus barbecue with coleslaw. The $75 ticket includes a beverage with more to purchase. This year we are excited to announce that Paul Pesco & Friends will be our musical entertainment.
To purchase tickets, use the QR code, or go to: https://www.shorehistory.org/events.
Crab Crackin' will be held rain or shine on the front lawn at 69 Market Street in Onancock. Reserve yours now as tickets are limited.

Sunshine & Margaritas on the Lawn at Ker Place is open to all and admission is Free.Join us this Friday June 19th at 5:3...
06/16/2026

Sunshine & Margaritas on the Lawn at Ker Place is open to all and admission is Free.
Join us this Friday June 19th at 5:30 -8:30 pm.
Let's celebrate the First Weekend of Summer with great music by The Rhythm Section and great friends! remember to bring your own chair or blanket.
Fabulous Food Trucks will be on site, El Piscachin and Eastern Shore Catering are ready to serve up delicious eats. Get ready to dance and have some fun.

Shore History is very excited to be part of the celebration this weekend as Onancock Sails Forward. Ker Place will be op...
06/12/2026

Shore History is very excited to be part of the celebration this weekend as Onancock Sails Forward. Ker Place will be open on Saturday from 11am-3pm featuring a Revolutionary Art Show and sale of our local students art celebrating America's 250th. Please come to support our talented student artists, purchase a piece or two and see the ribbons awarded in our Art Challenge. You can also vote for 'Best in Show' and 'Favorite Artist'.
Come inside Ker Place, learn more about our 1799 house museum and stroll around the gardens. It is sure to be a great day in Onancock.

Shore History invites you, our community, to an Art Show and Sale at Ker Place this Saturday June 13th from 11:00am - 3...
06/09/2026

Shore History invites you, our community, to an Art Show and Sale at Ker Place this Saturday June 13th from 11:00am - 3:00 pm to view and perhaps purchase to take home an piece of art created by one of our local students. This event is one of the many stops and experiences during the Onancock Sails Forward weekend. Event schedule here: https://www.onancocksailsforward.com/
More than 45 students from four Eastern Shore schools participated in the challenge, which invited students in grades 6–12 to answer the question, "What does America's story mean to you?" Using the Eastern Shore as their inspiration and lens, students created original works in pencil, paint, photography, clay, and mixed media that explored themes of history, community, patriotism, landscape, family, and identity.
Shore History thanks, honors and shines a light on all 48 students who entered this challenge. Below are the ribbons awarded.
Grades 6–7
• First Place: Guadalupe Vazquez-Gomez, Nandua Middle School
• Second Place: Winter Ford, Broadwater Academy
• Third Place: Amelia Shotwell, Nandua Middle School
• Honorable Mention: Jayla Brown, Nandua Middle School
• Honorable Mention: Adiana Simuta, Nandua Middle School
Grades 8–9
• First Place: Ethan VanScoy, Nandua High School
• Second Place: Dayanni Davis, Nandua High School
• Third Place: Layla Wheatley, Nandua Middle School
• Honorable Mention: Zion Smith, Nandua Middle School
• Honorable Mention: Henvi Patel, Nandua Middle School
• Honorable Mention: Mynachnaina Monfils, Nandua Middle School
• Honorable Mention: Ashlynne Johnson, Nandua Middle School
Grades 10–12
• First Place: Justus Scholz, Broadwater Academy
• Second Place: Alejandra Zarate-Perez, Nandua High School
• Third Place: Vanessa Lopez-Morales, Nandua High School
• Honorable Mention: Caleb Dail, Homeschool

The Ker Place Museum will not be open for tours on Saturday June 6th as we do not have a volunteer docent available. We ...
06/05/2026

The Ker Place Museum will not be open for tours on Saturday June 6th as we do not have a volunteer docent available.
We do invite you to our gorgeous grounds and gardens to enjoy the Herb & Kitchen Garden, tended by the Master Gardeners of the Eastern Shore, the restored Log Canoe, -the Annie C., and walk the paths under the shade trees and in the Back Garden, recently planted with new season-long blooming plants and perennials that will attract pollinators, butterflies and bring smiles to many. Sit a moment on the benches under the bower of Crape Myrtles and take in the quiet.
Please remember that next weekend is Onancock Sails Forward where Shore History will have an art show on the lawn. Lot's of activities in Onancock June 11-14.

We hope that you will join us this Wednesday June 3rd at 5:30 PM to meet Wesley Wooten, The New Town Manager of Onancoc...
06/01/2026

We hope that you will join us this Wednesday June 3rd at 5:30 PM to meet Wesley Wooten, The New Town Manager of Onancock. It will be held on the Front Lawn at Ker Place and it is looking like a beautiful evening.
Welcome to Onancock Wesley!

We are ready to go for the 2nd Annual Bill Bagwell Memorial Golf Classic tomorrow, May 29th. A full slate of golfers te...
05/28/2026

We are ready to go for the 2nd Annual Bill Bagwell Memorial Golf Classic tomorrow, May 29th. A full slate of golfers tee off at 10:00 AM.
Shore History is grateful to all of the generous sponsors who make this tournament a success. We are also grateful to Jess and the staff at Eastern Shore Yacht & Country Club for all they do to make every event run smoothly.
We will be posting the winners after the tournament, so watch this space!

This Memorial Day, Shore History honors the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation and extend...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, Shore History honors the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation and extends heartfelt thanks to all veterans who have defended our freedoms through generations.

As America approaches its 250th year, we remember that our history was shaped by courage, sacrifice, and dedication to liberty.

Shore History will have a docent on Duty this Saturday May 23rd from 11:00am-3:00pm. Come in to enjoy the house museum ...
05/22/2026

Shore History will have a docent on Duty this Saturday May 23rd from 11:00am-3:00pm. Come in to enjoy the house museum and our featured exhibits.
The Chet deGavre Exhibit is a must-see.
Our newest exhibit is the recently open "Through the Artist's Eye" Student Art Show. Students on the Eastern Shore submitted original artwork depicting "What does America's 250th means to them. The exhibit is inspiring! We hope you will visit.
Photos are from the Opening Reception Wednesday evening.

You are welcome to stroll the grounds, visit the Annie C. Log Canoe and the lush and colorful Herb Garden, cared for by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Master Gardeners.

Address

69 Market Street, PO Box 179
Onancock, VA
23417

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 3pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shore History posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category