Interpreting local history, the museum’s exhibits include prehistoric fossils, Native American and Colonial artifacts, a country store and the museum’s most notable artifact - the world’s oldest, edible cured ham. The 1902 pork product exemplifies the patented Smithfield curing process.

The Isle of Wight County Division of Historic Resources’ mission is to develop and advance an understanding of the county’s heritage by conserving, interpreting and preserving its sociological, agricultural, archaeological, cultural, military and natural history.

The Isle of Wight County Museum was founded in 1976 by a group of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of county history. The museum opened its doors to the public on Nov. 21, 1976, in the Old Gambling House, between the Old Courthouse and the Smithfield Inn.
In 1978, the museum moved to its present location in the Bank of Smithfield. Just across the street, the building was constructed in 1913 of Marvilla marble and limestone, which contains identifiable marine fossils. In 1990, the adjacent Folk Building was purchased for expansion, and in 1998, the museum became a department under county government, and at that time, a foundation was established.