We encourage all that visit Tangier Island to take the time to visit the Tangier History Museum.  History abounds.  Excerpts from the History of Tangier Island by:  "History Document used by exclusive permission of: Gail M. Walczyk,  Peter's Row, 27 Thomas St., Coram, NY "

                    In the summer of 1608 John Smith started out on an exploration trip of the 
                    Chesapeake Bay. He traveled from Cape Charles and went up the bay to the 
                    Potomac River and went up as far as present day Washington D. C. and back 
                    down to Jamestown. It was actually two trips for at one point he was very badly 
                    hurt by a stingray and had to return to Jamestown to be treated. It was during 
                    these two voyages, while looking for fresh water that he came across a group of 
                    islands in the middle of the bay. He named them the "Russell Isles," for a Doctor 
                    Russell who was then on board ship with him. 
                    This group is today what is known as Smiths, Tangier and Watts Islands.