This blue and white beachy cottage is the home of the Tangier Island post office. It's really the hub of the island. There's no delivery service, no mail carriers so all of the 400 residents come to the post office to pick up their mail! The post master knows every person by name on this unusual island that typically only has golf carts and bikes for vehicles... there's maybe a truck or two on the island. There's a rustic, coastal vibe to this building with its distressed weathered deck and handicap ramp. Any news that needs to be shared is posted on the post office front door, whether it's a funeral or an upcoming event.
It's about 12 miles from Maryland's mainland and has a mailboat running most days. The townspeople meet the boat and help unload the mail and packages. You've gotta love this neighborly system!
Tangier Island is in Chesapeake Bay and it's only accessible by boat or ferry or plane. We've taken the ferry from Reedville, VA but there are other ways to get there as well. It's known to be eroding with rising sea levels and it's expected to become a wetland within a decade or so. It has an interesting history, and I've enjoyed visiting this unique island. There's not much only island, the Post office, a grocery store, a museum, a couple of restaurants and shops, and you can pretty much walk the town in 20 minutes. But it's worth seeing as it may not be around for long.
Hours M-F 7:00-10:30, 1:00-3:30, Saturday 7:00-9:00,1:00-3:00 read more