Near Emporia in Greensville County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Brunswick County, Virginia

"The Original Home of Brunswick Stew"

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 20, 2012

1. Brunswick County, Virginia Marker

Inscription. According to local tradition, while Dr. Creed Haskins and several friends were on a hunting trip in Brunswick County in 1828, his camp cook, Jimmy Matthews, hunted squirrels for a stew. Matthews simmered the squirrels with butter, onions, stale bread, and seasoning, thus creating the dish known as Brunswick stew. Recipes for Brunswick stew have changed over time as chicken has replaced squirrel and vegetables have been added, but the stew remains thick and rich. Other states have made similar claims but Virginia's is the first.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number U-91.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 36° 45.443′ N, 77° 39.391′ W. Marker is near Emporia, Virginia, in Greensville County. It is at the intersection of Pleasant Shade Drive / Governor Harrison Parkway (U.S. 58) and 5 Forks Access Road, on the right when traveling west on Pleasant Shade Drive / Governor Harrison Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Emporia VA 23847, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Meherrin Indians (a few steps from this marker); Brunswick County / Greensville County (a few steps from this marker); Mabry's Chapel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Homestead (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (approx. 5.1 miles away); Double Bridges (approx. 5.9 miles away); Smoky Ordinary (approx. 6.7 miles away); a different marker also named Smoky Ordinary (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emporia.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Five state markers have this same title and text.

Additional keywords. Brunswick Stew

Brunswick County, Virginia Marker, westbound US 58, Pleasant Shade Drive / Governor Harrison Parkway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 20, 2012

2. Brunswick County, Virginia Marker, westbound US 58, Pleasant Shade Drive / Governor Harrison Parkway

Brunswick County, Virginia Marker, near 5 Forks Access Road, along US 58 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 20, 2012

3. Brunswick County, Virginia Marker, near 5 Forks Access Road, along US 58

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,200 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.