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Isle of Wight's history takes root in 1619 when English settlers, already having an established colony at Jamestown, crossed over to the south side of the James River to begin a new settlement. This settlement was named Isle of Wight Plantation in 1621 after the known English home of one of the settlers, Sir Richard Worsley, and probably those with him. During the years that followed, ships traveled back and forth to Isle of Wight, England and the surrounding areas to obtain supplies and more settlers.

Isle of Wight County's history continued to grow. In 1634, Isle of Wight, originally known as Warrosquoyacke (an Indian name meaning Point of Land), was formed as one of the eight original shires (or counties) into which Virginia was divided by the General Assembly of the Colony of Virginia.

In 1984, Isle of Wight flourished as it celebrated its 350th anniversary. In recognition of this historic event, Isle of Wight County, the lovely island off of England's southern coast, acknowledged its special relationship with its namesake, Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

Isle of Wight County is strategically located in the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia near the cities of Virginia Beach, Hampton and Williamsburg and is a part of the Hampton Roads MSA - the 27th largest metropolitan statistical area in the nation. The County's central location on the Mid-Atlantic coast places it within a day's driving time of more than half of the U.S. population.

Isle of Wight County utilizes a traditional form of County government. As required by the Code of Virginia, the County is governed locally by a Board of Supervisors. The citizens of Isle of Wight also elect five constitutional officers, so named because their offices are established by the Constitution of Virginia. Please see the Isle of Wight Government Organizational Chart for an outline of our local government structure.

The Board of Supervisors is an elected body of five members representing each of the County's election districts. The Supervisors are elected for four-year terms that are staggered at two-year intervals. The Board of Supervisors' mission is "to serve Isle of Wight County with the provision and enhancement of quality of life services for all citizens." The Board of Supervisors appoints a County Administrator to supervise the management of the County's day-to-day operations.

Isle of Wight County citizens elect five Constitutional Officers with the Commissioner of the Revenue, the Commonwealth's Attorney, Sheriff and Treasurer elected to a four-year term, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court elected to an eight-year term. The system of Constitutional Officers dates back to the earliest days of our nation and was established based on the presumption that such important government services should be made accountable to the citizens.

The Isle of Wight County School Division is compromised of four elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Please visit the County School Division Web Site for specific information on local schools and educational opportunities.

The School Division is under the jurisdiction of the County School Board members who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. You may wish to visit the School Division Web Site for additional information on the Isle of Wight School Board.

The Isle of Wight County Public School System offer a comprehensive program for grades K-12, in addition to special programs for the gifted students, handicapped students, remedial instruction in basic skills, advanced placement, alternative education, pre-school and vocational education. Approximately 5,078 students attended Isle of Wight County Schools during the 1998-99 school year.

All schools in the Isle of Wight County School Division are accredited by the Virginia Board of Education and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Isle of Wight has been able to maintain its natural beauty while providing an attractive, commercially stable environment for new businesses and residents. Major manufacturing industries include paper products, lumber, food processing, information systems, building materials and logging equipment. International Paper, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Franklin Equipment Company are just a few major industries in the County.

The Isle of Wight/Smithfield/Windsor Chamber of Commerce provides expertise and assistance to new and existing industries, as well as visitors and residents. The business community in Isle of Wight County is united in their support for Economic Development.