YORKTOWN — This summer season, we’ve got journeyed throughout the Hampton Roads area and past to go to beloved, deserted and forgotten locations. For the finale of this restricted summer season collection, we’re going to enterprise proper again house to the Yorktown riverfront and go to one of many extra iconic landmarks which was owned by one in every of most beloved {couples} of the Historic Triangle: Nick’s Seafood Pavilion.
An American Dream
Nicholas (Nick) Matheos (Mathews) emigrated from the Isle of Karpathos (Greece) to New York in 1920. Maria (Mary) Pappamihalopoulou emigrated from Sparta and labored as a dressmaker, promoting her items for 30¢.
In a 1980 interview with journalist Blaine Harden, Nick recalled assembly his spouse, saying, “In New York in the future, within the Greek Orthodox cathedral, that’s the place I met Mary. She was singing within the choir. I type of picked her up.”
The 2 married and shared a dream of turning into Americans. In that, the couple determined to relocate to Yorktown. Nick recalled, “I need to be American citizen… so what higher place to dwell than right here the place independence was received?”
Alongside the sleepy riverfront that after noticed historic battles and simply upwind of the Yorktown Naval Mine Depot, Nick based a lunch counter in 1944. The modest constructing had 35 seats and it shortly changed into a must-stop vacation spot.
Nick’s culinary creations have been recognized all over the world to incorporate Lobster Dien Bien, Shrimp Gavetsi, and Seafood Shish Kebob.
“Shish kebob was my creation,” Nick stated. “I believed it up about seven or 10 years in the past. It has shrimp, scallops, lobster, onion, tomato, mushrooms — all cooked in actual butter. Ah, hah, they speak about all of it the way in which to California.”
Nick was in no way bragging. His scrumptious dishes not solely attracted locals and vacationers, however drew within the likes of excessive profile celebrities and dignitaries. The operating record included: John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor (who was married to the late Sen. John Warner on the time), Tennessee Ernie Ford, Randy Travis, Fred McMurray, the torch runners for the 1980 Olympics, many federal authorities officers, and governors from all fifty states.
“We at all times busy,” Nick stated. “We recognized the world over, I let you know. The kings and queens, the celebrities and the politicians, we bought ’em all right here.”
Due to the recognition of the pavilion, the restaurant expanded in 1970 to incorporate a complete of 440 seats. The partitions have been painted in a shade of purple and there have been varied thematic rooms: the “previous eating room” (referring to the unique portion of the constructing), the Triton Room, and the “Nile Room” (after a fountain situated within the house which was presupposed to resemble the Nile River). Mary exhibited her sculpture assortment, which she turned recognized for.
By the early Eighties, the Mathews served round 1,000 meals a day.
However Nick’s Seafood Pavilion was greater than only a spot to eat recent and scrumptious seafood. It was a spot that felt like house and its proprietors embodied the spirit of what it means to be in Yorktown.
The Spirit of Yorktown
Whereas Nick Mathews was recognized for his scrumptious meals, he was greater than only a chef. He and Mary each embodied the true spirit of what the Historic Triangle is thought for: hospitality, selflessness, and a sense of house. The Mathews’ pleasure, ardour, and loving nature resonated to anybody who ever encountered both of them.
Nick and Mary had a heat, welcoming spirit in direction of anybody who got here to their door. They employed staff that wanted a hand as much as acquire the success that the couple discovered. In 1960, the Mathews drew from their very own immigration experiences and employed Elias Bichara, a Cuban refugee who, alongside along with his household, have been sponsored by Yorktown Baptist Church.
The couple’s generosity knew no bounds. Although by no means having kids of their very own, the Mathews turned everybody’s mom, father, good friend, and neighbor.
In 1976, a bunch of Boy Scouts from Washington have been on the ultimate leg of a cross nation bicycling journey. Mary invited the group into the restaurant for dinner. Whereas the scouts loved their meal, three of the bicycles have been stolen. As soon as Mary found this, she referred to as the native sheriff’s workplace. Not solely was a report given, however Mary requested the deputy to find a bicycle store and ask the proprietor to reopen so she may substitute the boys’ bikes. That night, Mary stunned the scouts with three new bikes and in addition organized for his or her lodging and breakfast the following morning.
Civic Pleasure
The couple additionally had a deep satisfaction for his or her adopted house within the Historic Triangle. Each Nick and Mary labored for civic causes and used the cash they earned to present again. In 1972, the Mathews’ paid for Yorktown’s electrical invoice when it fell in arrears to the tune of $212. “How anyone can stand this historic Yorktown to be at midnight,” recalled Mary. “I at all times hate the darkish.”
That very same 12 months, the Mathews donated 23 acres of actual property to the Board of Trustees for York County. The plot of land was idyllic in its overlook of the York River. When the Board of Trustees provided to pay the Mathews for this beneficiant donation, the couple refused. Builders provided the couple between $500,000-$700,000 for the property, but the Mathews’ turned all of it down.
On these grounds was constructed the Yorktown Victory Heart, now generally known as the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (or, because the locals affectionately check with it as, “ARMY”), situated at 200 Water Street.
The couple was additionally recognized for his or her fervent assist of the American army. Younger sailors would get off on buses close to the restaurant and, it doesn’t matter what time of day it was, all they needed to do was knock on the door and there was Nick and Mary able to greet them with a cup of espresso and a telephone to name the close by base to rearrange transportation.
A Beloved Icon Misplaced
Mary had the distinction of being the primary immigrant chosen to sponsor a U.S. Navy ship, the aptly-named USS Yorktown (CG 48); a Ticonderoga-class cruiser. En path to Pascagoula, Miss. in 1983 to christen the vessel, the Historic Triangle acquired discover that Nick Mathews, a pillar of the neighborhood, philanthropist, and beloved native legend, tragically handed away on April 14.
Nevertheless, with Nick’s spirit near her coronary heart, Mary continued on to Pascagoula, christening the ship with the phrases, “Within the identify of the USA and in reminiscence of my husband Nick, I christen the Yorktown.” To observe highlights the christening ceremony, click here.
Nick’s loss precipitated profound grief for the residents of the Hampton Roads Peninsula. A humble man with a beneficiant spirit, he was remembered by pals who have been extra like household to him. Quickly following Nick’s loss of life, well-known native journalist Park Rouse wrote, “[He] was essentially the most beneficiant man I’d ever met.”
The next 12 months, the Yorktown Victory Heart displayed a particular exhibit in honor of Nick referred to as, “An American Dream.” The exhibit displayed objects from the Mathews’ marriage ceremony, a bench from Ellis Island, and different mementos telling Nick’s personal story of coming to America and reaching not simply wealth in funds, however of spirit.
Mary continued on with Nick’s Seafood Pavilion in honor of her husband and with the assistance of her devoted employees. She liked the officers and sailors that served aboard USS Yorktown (CG 48) as in the event that they have been her personal; at all times prepared to supply a meal once they would come to the restaurant.
When Mary died on Sept. 23, 1998, she bequeathed practically all of her property to the Jamestown-Yorktown Basis. She did in order that others would know, as said in Mary’s personal phrases, “…the blessing of freedom and democracy that commenced in my native Greece and right here…”
The couple that gave a lot to the neighborhood that they liked have been buried collectively in a marble tomb that sits on the property of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. It’s there that they proceed of their everlasting relaxation.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, stated, “Nick and Mary Mathews are nice examples of each Greek resilience and of how Greece and America have stood collectively over time, joined by our widespread experiences and values.”
Hurricane Isabel
Whereas Nick’s Seafood Pavilion continued on for a short time following Mary’s loss of life, in 2003, the York County Board of Supervisors paid $3 million for the entire property that after belonged to Mary, together with Nick’s Seafood Pavilion. When the Board voted to tear down the restaurant, many expressed outrage as locals felt that this was disrespectful to the reminiscence of the beloved couple.
Nevertheless, Hurricane Isabel decided on behalf of the Board and advocates for the restaurant. When it roared into the realm in September 2003, the long-lasting constructing that served generations of locals, guests, celebrities, politicians and dignitaries; a spot that companies members referred to as house and reminiscences have been made, was left very badly broken. It was in the end determined that one of the best plan of action was to demolish the constructing as a substitute of restoring it.
A Landmark Misplaced
After demolition was accomplished, the land that after belonged to the Mathews and housed the beloved restaurant was redeveloped into what’s now generally known as Riverwalk Touchdown. The place Nick’s Seafood Pavilion as soon as stood was constructed a parking deck. For those who have been to go to the riverfront district as we speak, there’s nearly no hint of the couple that gave a lot of themselves to the house that they took a lot satisfaction in.
After twenty years of service, together with as a part of the final incident of the Chilly Battle, USS Yorktown (CG 48) was decommissioned in 2004 and has since sat rusting away as a part of the U.S. Navy’s inactive fleet in Philadelphia.
For locals, the Mathews are by no means very distant. Their patriotism is well known by way of the hallways and displays on the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The Mathews Legacy Society was created for the Jamestown-Yorktown Basis to honor members who’ve established deliberate items for the inspiration and its missions.
Nick’s tales, Mary’s maternal nature, and the beneficiant spirit that they gave so willingly outlined what it means to be from Yorktown. They set a tone that continues to resonate even lengthy after they left this world and the bodily symbols of their lives faraway from the panorama.
Maybe its in Nick’s personal phrases that stated it greatest when defining the couple’s life so effectively lived: “Laborious labor, decency and sweat on the brow, that’s how I made it.”
Always be informed. Click here to get the latest news and information delivered to your inbox
