The Thomas James Store (circa 1820), owned by the Mathews County Historical Society and located on Maple Avenue behind Sibley’s General Store, is undergoing a major preservation effort. With $100,000 in grant funds from the National Park Service, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the building has been temporarily elevated so that rotten wood (a section shown below) can be repaired or replaced and the foundation can be rebuilt to raise the structure out of the flood zone. A handicapped-accessible ramp will be installed, as well. MCHS board members John Hoffman, chair of the buildings and grounds committee, and Roger Emig, chair of the acquisitions committee and curator for exhibits, shown from left, said the goals are to preserve the historic building and to make it available for public tours. They said they hope the work will be completed in time for Mathews Market Days.

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