THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 2, 1994 TAG: 9408020055
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: SHERRI BOYER
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
THIRTY-FIVE minutes west of Norfolk, we found the small town of the movies. Smithfield, an easy ride through beautiful Suffolk and Isle of Wight, sports a dandy little museum, but Main Street captivated us even more.
The girls and I (Sam was on an adventure with Dad) headed off at midday looking for ice cream and Native American artifacts. We found both, as well as a few surprises.
At the Isle of Wight County Museum, we admired an old-fashioned country store. Allio and I pondered the checker game in progress, and we all longed to play with a miniature porcelain tea set behind the glass counter.
We discovered a red-tailed hawk, stuffed but in flight, and wondered where the mouse was hiding that he could so plainly see. Maddie, giggling with delight, rang a very loud brass ship bell.
In the main room of the museum, we admired an old buggy and found a picture of the horse that once pulled it. Maddie, ever thoughtful, suggested it would be better to bring the horse in and put the buggy out, since that would be more interesting.
A stunning child's dress in gold and burgundy plaid, with pompons, caught Allio's fancy. She longed to wear it and could not believe that it once was worn by a boy, 6-year-old Roy Conklin in 1875. ``It's too pretty,'' she explained.
Downstairs, we found the arrowheads (now called projectile points), tools and beads of Native American vintage, along with a very beautiful, very realistic painting of a scout on a tree limb.
Maddie announced that we were in a man's house, having rounded a corner and come face-to-face with a seated statue of a Confederate soldier.
The girls also admired the mortar shells, which they thought were bowling balls for giants. Then we studied a case of shark teeth, most of them as big as my hand. Somehow, I'd pictured shark teeth as puny. Numerous, but small.
Which is perhaps the message of this tiny museum. This is not the Smithsonian, but its tiny treasures are numerous and it offers some interesting thoughts: What does a 900-pound pig look like before you extract a 65-pound ham? Are live ducks as varied and colorful as the decoys on display? And how soon can we return to see the 12-minute-or-so history film in the very dear little theatre that only has nine seats?
Half a block away, as we strolled in the hot sun, we spotted the Valentine Couple, a dear image of old age in bronze, sitting on a park bench in front of the Smithfield Antiques Center. This life-size couple cast in romantic bliss is sturdy enough for a child's pats of curiosity.
Another few steps and we were mesmerized by a plastic Bambi in the window of the Ben Franklin store, and then we discovered Mr. Franklin himself. He was across the street, patiently reading a bronzed Constitution. Allio asked for a reading, and while I read, she stroked his hard curls. Before we left, Maddie threw ``Granny'' (her interpretation of Franklin) a kiss.
So we skipped down Hayden's Lane, a lovely brick walkway through a flowered garden with shade trees and benches, wished for the picnic we hadn't brought, and circled back to the confectionery for ice cream cones. Next time we visit, we'll lunch in this garden, a block from the museum.
The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday 1-5 p.m. It is closed Monday. Admission is free. Parking is behind the building or on the street.
To get there from Portsmouth: Follow Route 164 West (turns into Route 17) to Route 32 South to Smithfield. Then turn onto Routes 10 West and 258 South. Follow this combo road, taking the business route when the road forks near Smithfield. After the suburbs, you'll reach an older section of town. Turn left on Main Street. The building on your left at the intersection is the museum, 103 Main St. For more information, call 357-7459. MEMO: What's your favorite outing or activity with children? Call Mom, I'm
Bored's INFOLINE number. Dial 640-5555 and enter category 5544.
by CNB