Mathews County Historical Society, in partnership with Mathews Memorial Library, will host a lecture by historian Benjamin H. Trask on “Lighthouse Keepers of Mathews County” on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at the library on Main Street in Mathews.
Chesapeake Bay lighthouse keepers, for almost two centuries, maintained the beacons that guided vessels through the treacherous waters in and around Hampton Roads and north up the Bay. Men, women, immigrants and formerly enslaved men can be counted among those who served to protect maritime commerce and, at times, rescue those in peril. Stories of these Mathews men and women will be the highlight of the evening’s presentation.
Trask, noted historian, educator, Marine Corps veteran, librarian and museum curator, is the author of numerous books including academic works on the Virginia Civil War regimental histories series and lighthouses of Southeastern Virginia. Trask holds bachelor and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech and a Master of Librar...