Mission Statement

Suffolk River Heritage's mission is to advance historical knowledge and interest in the local communities of Crittenden, Hobson, Eclipse, Bennett's Creek and Suffolk. The foundation will accomplish this goal by collecting and publishing primary source material and oral history memoirs of its villagers. SRH will be a repository for the collected historic documents.

Suffolk River Heritage, Inc. will document, share and perpetuate the history, experiences and contributions of the historic watermen and agricultural community.

Suffolk River Heritage History

SRH was organized by Karla Smith in 2005 (formerly CE&H Foundation) with the purpose of documenting, sharing and perpetuating the history, experiences and contributions of our historic watermen and farmers.

A board of directors was established and the foundation was incorporated in 2006. The foundation's first project was the creation of the book The River Binds Us. Many people in the community joined in the effort and the book was published in 2007. All copies were sold and a second printing was authorized by the board in 2011. Copies of the second printing of The River Binds Us are now available.

Board of Directors

• Karla M. Smith - Chairman

• Virginia L. Bagnell - Vice Chairman

• Larry Saint - Treasurer

• Wyatt Davis - Secretary

• Karen Hazelwood - Secretary

Board of Advisors

A non-profit, 501 (c) 3, foundation, Suffolk River Heritage promotes an awareness and appreciation of the history and heritage of villages and neighborhoods along the Nansemond, James and Elizabeth Rivers. The trio of waterways is as inter-connected as the farmers, watermen, businesses, and families living along and near their shorelines.