Accomack, Virginia
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Region
Virginia's Eastern Shore
Type
Historic town and county seat
Setting
Accomack County, Delmarva Peninsula
Known for
Historic district and courthouse green
Accomack—also commonly spelled Accomac—is a small courthouse town where the main attraction is the town itself. A stroll through the shaded streets reveals a close-knit collection of Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian-era buildings, with Courthouse Green at its center. A town-provided self-guided walking-tour brochure helps visitors follow the streets and understand the buildings they see.[1]
The town is the seat of Accomack County, Virginia, in the middle of the Eastern Shore. Its appeal is quieter than a beach destination: come for architectural character and local history, then use Accomack as a base for exploring the wider Shore. Before setting out, check with the town or attraction operators about current access and visitor arrangements; many historic buildings are private homes rather than public museums.[2]
Plan a trip to Accomack
Why visit Accomack?
Accomack suits travelers who enjoy exploring a place at walking pace. The compact historic center brings together a courthouse, old commercial buildings, churches and residences from different periods of Eastern Shore history. Rather than a single large attraction, the experience is a sequence of streetscapes and architectural details—with the Courthouse Green as a natural starting point.
The town’s history is closely tied to its role as the county’s judicial center. The county seat was established here by 1690, and the courthouse village was laid out as Drummondtown in 1786. The post office adopted the name Accomac in 1893. Today the historic district is listed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
What to see and do
Use the town’s printable self-guided brochure to explore the leafy streets and learn about historic buildings. The tour begins at Courthouse Green; pick up a paper copy at Town Hall or download one from the town website.[4]
Courthouse Green
Start at the town’s civic heart, where the 1899 Accomack County Courthouse stands beside the former clerk’s office and historic law offices. The town tour identifies a cannon on the green as one of four in town dating to the Revolutionary War; enjoy the site from public areas and respect any posted restrictions.[5]
Debtors’ Prison
This small historic building dates to 1783 and originally served as the county jailer’s residence. It was converted to a debtors’ prison in 1824, and is among the town’s most distinctive surviving structures. Check locally for current restoration status and whether interior access is available before planning a visit.[6]
Historic houses and streetscapes
Look for the range of regional building forms and styles described by the town and Virginia’s historic-preservation office, including Federal-era houses, Greek Revival buildings and Victorian details. Many properties are private dwellings: admire them from public rights-of-way and do not enter yards or buildings without permission.[7]
History and character
The courthouse town grew out of the county’s early judicial life. Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources notes that court was first held in the area in the 1670s and that the settlement became the county seat by 1690. The town was laid out beside the court square in 1786 on land associated with Richard Drummond, giving rise to the name Drummondtown. The present courthouse, built in 1899, replaced an earlier courthouse on the site.[10]
The built character reflects successive periods of local life: homes, churches, offices and commercial buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries sit along shaded streets. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources lists the Accomac Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, and notes that many contributing properties remain private residences. The town’s own tour adds context for individual sites, including the 1887 clerk’s office and the former Mercantile Building.[11][12]
Planning a visit
- Start at Courthouse Green: It is the most useful orientation point for a self-guided walk through the historic center.
- Get the walking-tour brochure: The town offers a printable version online and says paper copies are available at Town Hall. Confirm availability before relying on an in-person pickup.[13]
- Plan for a respectful outdoor visit: Many notable buildings are private homes or working civic properties. Stay on public sidewalks and rights-of-way, and follow any posted signs or access rules.[14]
- Check current details: Museum hours, tours, events, construction and access can change. Verify with the town or the specific attraction before traveling.
- Allow time for the wider Shore: Accomack is an inland historic-town stop, while beaches, wildlife areas and other communities are elsewhere across the Eastern Shore. Plan driving time between destinations and confirm seasonal services in advance.
Nearby places and attractions
- Onancock, Virginia — a nearby Eastern Shore town and home to Ker Place, the museum of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society.
- Chincoteague, Virginia — a coastal community associated with visits to the adjacent refuge and barrier-island landscape.
- Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge — wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation on the Eastern Shore; check current refuge conditions and access before visiting.
- Assateague Island National Seashore in Virginia — protected barrier-island scenery and beaches; confirm current access, services and conditions with the National Park Service.
- Cape Charles, Virginia — a bayside town farther south on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
- Virginia's Eastern Shore — regional context and trip ideas for the peninsula’s towns, shorelines and natural areas.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Walking Tour, Town of Accomac, Town of Accomac. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Accomac Historic District, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Accomac Historic District, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Walking Tour, Town of Accomac, Town of Accomac. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Walking Tour, Town of Accomac, Town of Accomac. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Sites of Interest, Town of Accomac, Town of Accomac. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Accomac Historic District, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Things to Do, Town of Accomac, Town of Accomac. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Ker Place, Shore History, Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Accomac Historic District, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Accomac Historic District, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Sites of Interest, Town of Accomac, Town of Accomac. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Walking Tour, Town of Accomac, Town of Accomac. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Accomac Historic District, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.