Now that I’ve had a chance to experience a bit of the Eastern Shore’s present-day oyster heritage and gotten a glimpse of its future with Shooting Point Oyster Company and HM Terry Company I think its time we look at the Eastern Shore’s oyster past. The watermen of the Eastern Sore have usually been independent fishermen who then sold their catch to seafood wholesalers; they caught whatever was in season which traditionally was crabs in the summer and oysters in the cooler months as well as a variety of fish year round. Some accounts liken the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster boom of nineteenth and early twentieth century to California’s gold rush;  it was hard work that sustained many and made a few very rich.
While preparing to go out on the water with Tom Gallivan of Shooting Point I had the opportunity to meet H.M. Arnold, a long time waterman and proprietor of the Bayford Oyster House. The Bayford Oyster House was originally built in 1902 to process the abundance of wild oysters harvested along this stretch of the Chesapeake Bay. Inside was a long, stone table which accommodated about 6 shuckers who, using the most basic of tools, could process upwards of 200 gallons of oysters a day. A series of viruses decimated Virginia’s oyster population in the 1980’s and today the Bayford Oyster House is used primarily for the soft shell crab harvest.
 Stepping inside the oyster house was like a entering a time machine, you instantly feel transported back to another era. A transistor radio, some well worn oyster knives and a few old fashioned iconic Coke bottles now give little hint to how busy this place once was.
The space next door was equally frozen in time. In its hey day it served equally as general store and meeting house, today its walls etched with names of high school sweethearts and adorned with pictures of the glory days stand testament to the bounty that oysters once used to provide this area.
Inspired by the generations before them a new wave of watermen are pulling on their waders and heading out into the water everyday. With a combination of hard work, science and a little bit of luck they are committed to bringing back not just oysters, but also reviving Coastal Virginia’s oyster heritage.
Be sure to check out the Virginia Oyster Trail to explore the oyster capital of the East Coast. Without a doubt there is no better time to be oyster lover in Virginia than right now.
If you enjoyed “A Look Back at the Eastern Shore’s Oyster Heritage” then you may like
Preserving Nature and a family Legacy on the Eastern Shore
A tale of water and wine on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Kayaks and Wine on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
I was graciously invited on this trip by the Virginia Tourism Corporation however, as always, all views and opinions are my own.
budget jan says
Good to see a local industry making a comeback. There is nothing like a freshy shucked oyster to remind me of the ocean. Lovely photographs.
Brianna says
Thanks Jan! I agree, there is nothing like the pure taste of an oyster minutes after it has been plucked from the water.
noel says
I’m an oyster lover so this was a great introduction to this area I’m not too familiar with…love that it’s in season but probably still too far away to get to me cheaply.
Emily says
Upwards of 200 gallons of oysters a day! That is quite remarkable! I’m not an oyster fan myself, but I do love a good pearl.
David Ouellette says
I really liked this post Brianna, especially what you mentioned about the oyster house being like a time machine into the past! Indeed the transistor radio must have been a strange sight. Would love to try some fresh oysters some day, what a cool experience!
Brianna says
I loved getting to know the people behind the food that ends up on my plate. It was a fascinating experience.
Kim says
I loved learning about the history of the area. I used to live in Virginia so it was nice to read more about an hour that I haven’t visited in years.
Brianna says
It was great hearing first hand from someone who has live the history.
chan says
Informative and en-lighting as ususal.
Brianna says
Thanks Chan, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Kate & Mark @ Vagrants Of The World says
Oysters yes please, no chance of a small brewery being next door. Life would then be complete.
Brianna says
Not yet but there is a vineyard very nearby.
Evanne says
What a cool place to see! I grew up in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and even there everyone knows how important oysters are to the region! I’d love to visit an oyster house like this!
Brianna says
Small world! I live in Virginia Beach and its amazing how different things are once you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Jenn of Who Needs Maps says
Thats a huge amount of oysters! I think im the one person in the world thats not a fan… i think its a textural thing! They also always remind me of Terry Crews in White Chicks
Brianna says
Apparently you’re not alone but its still fascinating to discover the history behind them.
estherjulee says
such a cool experience seeing the behind the scenes of oyster harvesting. 🙂 it does look like a different era in there.
Brianna says
It really was like going back 50 years once I stepped through that door.
Jen says
Life in an eastern town – exactly what I’d expect. Fisherman, chipped paint and dusty bottles. Beautiful.
Brianna says
Little has changed on the Eastern Shore, that’s for sure.
Tamara @ We3Travel says
I love that there is an oyster trail!! I’ve just started to like oysters and I’m still working out which kinds are my favorite (generally small-medium, sweet but briny) so I’d love to come to VA and do the oyster trail!
Brianna says
Tamara, it sounds like Virginia oysters suite your palate perfectly!
Jenna says
Very cool! I love finding places where you can really feel the history and way of life of the local people.
Brianna says
Jenna, it was fascinating learning of the history directly from someone who has lived it.
Nancie says
Great post. I love fried oysters or smoked.
Brianna says
I like mine straight from the water the best.
Dave Cole says
Very fun learning about the history of the oyster trade! I love getting a peek into how different industries looked at a certain period. It’s such a great way of connecting with the place and its people.
Heather | girlichef says
Oh, fantastic – I definitely felt like I’d stepped back in time through your beautiful photos. I’d love to spend a day there (and eat some oysters, of course).
Brianna says
These inlets of the Chesapeake Bay are so peaceful and are producing some world class oysters.
Andi says
Following the Oyster Trail is a trip I definitely want to do! My hubby would love this! We were actually talking over our Dungeness crab dinner last night about going to the Ferry Building next week to eat at Hog Island Oysters – we love oysters!
Brianna says
Andi, oysters certainly are easy to love! Next time you head out east we should meet up for blue crab and oysters 🙂
Anne Klien ( Meaanne) says
I love Oyster … this is interesting read I though it produce throughout the year. Id love to try this trip 🙂
Brianna says
It was a fascinating trip, I loved getting a deeper look into this coastal area.
John Baumgartner says
Love the photos! What an excellent post!
Brianna says
Thanks John, its hard to take a bad picture in such a beautiful area.
Geeky Explorer says
So easy to forget all this work when you just have them on the plate ready to be eaten!
Well Traveled Mile says
Awesome photos and thanks for sharing Virginia Oyster Trail, I’ve never about it until now.
Susan says
Great photos, love reading about this area
Sumit Surai says
I love visiting places like this which have lots of stories to tell. Great write up and pictures.
Tam Gamble says
I have never tried oysters – just not sure they are for me. We live minutes away from Mersea Island, which in the UK, is a prime location for oysters and we even have a big oyster fair each year to celebrate but up until now I just cannot bring myself to try them.
Brianna says
Perhaps you’d like them roasted?
Milosz Zak says
It is so nice to see that some local traditions and crafts, such as oyster farming survive the onslaught of agricultural industrialization. Great photos.
Brianna says
Thank you! I was surprised to find somewhere so frozen in time so close to my home.
Rhonda Albom says
I love these frozen in time photos. My favorite is the fishing net near the top. (Visiting from Travel Photos Monday)
Brianna says
Thanks Rhonda, I love places that preserve their heritage so well.