Virginia Museums - Region 6 - Tidewater
Abby Aldrich Rockfeller Folk Art Museum
307 South England St.
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
804-220-7670
Daily 10-6
Colonial Williamsburg's outstanding folk art collection.
Adam Thoroughgood House
1636 Parish Rd., Virginia Beach
mailing address: c/o The Chrysler Museum
245 W. Olney Rd.
Norfolk, Va 23510
804-622-1211
Late 17th century English-style brick home of the Thoroughgood family, on the bank of the Lynnhaven River.
Air Power Park and Museum
413 W. Mercury Blvd.,
Hampton, Va 23666
804-727-1163
Wed.-Sun. 9-5
Collection of vintage planes and missiles, in park setting.
420 High St.
Portsmouth, Va 23705
804-393-8983
Contemporary art of the Tidewater region.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Visitor Contact Station
4005 Sandpiper
P.O. Box 6286
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
804-721-2412
Exhibits of wildlife and decoys.
York St.
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
804-229-1000
Former home of the John D. Rockefeller family, includes information about the development of Colonial Williamsburg
8797 Pocahontas Trail (Rt. 60E), Williamsburg
Mail: P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
804-220-7452
Based on archeological investigation of the site of 17th c. Wolstenholme Towne, and the 18th century plantation and 20th century home on the site.
Casemate Museum
20 Bernard Rd., Fort Monroe
Mail: P.O. Box 341
Fort Monroe, VA 23651
804-727-3391
Daily 10:30-4:30
Interprets 19th century military history of area, including naval battles and the cell that housed Confederate President Jefferson Davis in 1865.
Chesapeake Planetarium
300 Cedar Rd.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
804-547-0153
Winter: Mon.-Wed., Fri. 10:30-4:30
Thurs. 10:30-4:30 and 8 pm
Summer: Thurs. 8:00
Exhibitions and programs, telescope viewing on clear nights.
Children's Museum of Virginia
400 High St., Portsmouth, VA
Mail: P.O. Box 850
Portsmouth, VA 23705
804-393-8393
Interactive museum for children aged 3-12.
245 W. Olney Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23510-1587
804-622-1211
Tues.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 1-5
Important collections of paintings, pre-Columbian artifacts, and glass.
Williamsburg
Mail: P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
804-229-1000
Restored capital of 18th century Virginia, with historic houses and museums, costumed interpreters, demonstrations and programs, and ongoing historical research, covers 173 acres.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Mail: P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776
804-220-7554
Exhibits chosen from the decorative arts collection of Colonial Williamsburg.
5003 Hallett Circle
Cape Charles, VA 23310
804-331-2760
Summer: 9-5; Winter: 10-3
Exhibits and interactive videos in the Visitor Center interpret major Eastern Shore habitats: barrier islands, estuaries, uplands, and the Chesapeake Bay.
18468 Dunne Avenue
Parksley, VA 23421
804-665-7245
Interprets and preserves Parksley, a 19th century railway town.
22 Lincoln St.
Hampton, VA 23669
804-727-6347
Site of Civil War sea battle between the U.S.S. Monitor and the Confederate Merrimac, on an island at the mouth of Hampton Roads.
3131 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
804-340-1732
18th and 19th century plantation life in southeastern Virginia interpreted through period rooms, temporary exhibits, and programs.
Fred Heutte Horticultural Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens
Norfolk, VA 23507
804-441-2513
Mon.-Fri: 9-3
In Old Ferry Terminal, urban gardening center with Herb Knot garden and collection of historic garden tools.
Washington Ditch Entrance, off White Marsh Rd., Suffolk
mail: P.O. Box 349
Suffolk, VA 23439-0349
804-986-3705
April-Sept. 6:30-8:00
Oct.-Mar. 6:30-5
Self-guided trail and roads for hikers and bikers, with programs for groups.
At Nauticus
mail: One Waterside Drive
Norfolk, VA 23510-1607
804-444-8971
Daily 9-4; extended hours in summer and fall
Museum of the naval history of Hampton Roads, the U.S. Navy's largest Atlantic port, from the Battle off the Virginia Capes in 1781, prelude to Yorktown, to NATO and the nuclear navy of today.
Academy Building
Hampton University
Hampton, VA 23668
804-727-5308
Mon.-Fri. 8-5, Sat. & Sun. 12-4
Exhibits and collects art from Africa, Asia, Oceana, and Native American art; also the history of Hampton University.
7637 N. Shore Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23505
804-423-2052
Tudor-style house with fine woodwork and collection of Oriental art.
221 North St., Portsmouth
mail: c/o Portsmouth Historical Association
Portsmouth, VA. 23704
804-393-8591
Interprets the history of Portsmouth, housed in an English-style house.
Rt. 10, South of Smithfield, Isle of Wight County
mail: 14477 Benns Church Blvd.
Smithfield, VA 23430
804-357-3367
Feb.- Dec.: Tues.-Sat. 9:30-4, Sun. 1-4
Church founded 1632 is oldest English church to be established in America.
mail: 240 W. Freemason St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-623-9814
April through December, 10am-3:30pm, Wednesday through Saturday; Sunday noon-3:30pm.
The Hunter family's 1894 Richardson Romanesque house with original furnishings designed and built by Boston architect W.D. Wentworth. Home of prominent merchant and banker James Wilson Hunter and his family, also exhibits a collection of early twentieth century medical memorabilia.
103 Main St.
Smithfield, VA 23430
804-357-7439
Tues.-Thurs & Sat. 10-4, Fri. 10-2, Sun. 1-5
History of Isle of Wight County featured in exhibits on Indians, Civil War, and a country store, colonial archeology, and the meat-packing industry.
Colonial Parkway, 6 miles west of Williamsburg
mail: Colonial National Historical Park
P.O. Box 210
Yorktown, VA 23690
804-229-1733
Winter: 8:30-4:30
Summer: 8:30-5:30
Site of the 1607 Jamestown settlement, with reconstructed ruins and 1639 church tower, self-guided drive, exhibits of artifacts.
Rt. 31S & Colonial Parkway, Jamestown
mail: P.O. Box JF, Williamsburg, VA 23187
804-253-4838
Replicas of the three English ships that brought Jamestown settlers in 1607, James Fort, and a Powhatan Indian village.
69 Market St., Onancock
mail: c/o Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society
Box 193
Onancock, VA 23417
804-787-8012
Historic Federal-style home of merchant John Shepard Kerr, includes interpretive exhibits as well as furnished rooms.
24th St. & Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach
mail: P.O. Box 24
Virginia Beach, VA 23458
804-422-1587
Nov. 1- May: Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun 12-5
In a former Life-Saving station, interprets the history of the U.S. Life Saving Service and the Coast Guard.
4401 Wishart Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
804-460-1688
1724 small planter's house is preserved and interpreted to present the everyday life of the early 18th century.
MacArthur Square
Norfolk, VA 23510
804-441-2965
Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5
Four buildings in downtown Norfolk: 1850 City Hall contains MacArthur's crypt housed in rotunda, galleries devoted to his life and times, archives and library.
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606
1-800-581-SAIL
Lore of ships and the sea, 100 boats from around the world, figureheads and maritime decorative arts.
323 E. Freemason St., Norfolk
mail: c/o The Chrysler Museum
245 W. Olney Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23510
804-622-1211, ext. 283
April-Dec.: Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5
Furnished 1792 home of Moses Myers, a Jewish merchant of the Federal period. House is Georgian-style with a Federal-style interior.
Jamestown Rd., The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg
mail: The College of William and Mary
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
804-221-2700
Mon.-Fri. 10-4:45, Sat.-Sun. 12-4
European and American art and special exhibitions.
Rt. 175, Wallops Island
mail: Goddard Space Flight Center
Wallops Island, VA 23337
804-824-1344
Memorial Day-Labor Day 10-4
Sept.-May: Thurs.-Mon. 10-4
Exhibits on Aerospace and Aeronautics. Model rocket launches scheduled on the first Saturday of the month.
One Waterside Drive, Norfolk
mail: P.O. Box 3310
Norfolk, VA 23514
804-623-9084
Huge high-tech education and entertainment complex, about the relationship between people and the sea, through time and in the present.
Azalea Garden Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23518
804-441-5830
150-acre garden promotes awareness of horticulture and environment, plants and ecosystems. Offers boat and train tours of the gardens.
765 Granby St., Norfolk
mail: Old Dominion University
Visual Arts Building
Norfolk, VA 23529
804-683-4047
Sept.-May: Fri-Sun. 11-4
Exhibits of work by Tidewater artists and traveling exhibits.
7125 Maddox Blvd.
Chincoteague, VA 23336
804-336-6117
Spring and Fall: weekends only
History of oystering and the shellfish industry.
Museum Drive, Newport News
mail: P. O. Box 6438
Newport News, VA 23606
804-596-8175
Tues.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 1-4
Collections and changing exhibits, local artists and craftspeople.
London Slip at Water St., Portsmouth
mail: P.O. Box 850
Portsmouth, VA 23705
804-393-8741
Exhibits about lightship history housed in lightship active 1915-1964.
2 Crawford St., Portsmouth
mail: P.O. Box 850
Portsmouth, VA 23705
804-393-8591
Naval history of Portsmouth includes story of ironclad warships such as the Merrimac.
22376 Linden St.
Courtland, VA 23837
804-653-0754
Mon., Wed., Thurs 9-8:30, Tues. & Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-3
American painting and other objects in the permanent collection, changing exhibits of art and history.
Main St., Reedville
mail: Box 65
Reedville, VA 22539
804-453-5371
Summer: Mon.-Fri. 3-5, Sat.-Sun. 1-5
Winter: Sat.-Sun. 1-5
Reedville's history, especially the industries based on the menhaden fish, used for oil-based paints and for animal feed.
7059 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague
mail: P.O. Box 272
Chincoteague, VA 23336
804-336-5800
Boats, traps, and decoys are displayed indoors and out.
510 N. Main St., Suffolk
mail: P. O. Box 1722
Suffolk, VA 23434
804-934-1390
Tues.-Fri. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
Greek Revival style house was a Union Army headquarters and hospital during the Civil War.
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
804-481-2131
Displays feature environment and history of the Seashore area.
100 W. Queensway, Hampton
mail: P.O. Box 313
Hampton, VA 23669
804-722-2567
Mon.-Fri. 9-3, Sat. 9-12
1728 church is in the oldest parish of the English colonies, established 1610.
201 St. Paul's Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23510
804-627-4354
Tues.-Fri. 9:30-4
1739 church is the oldest in Norfolk, sole survivor of of British bombing of the city.
118 Bosley St., Suffolk
mail: P.O. Box 1858
Suffolk, VA 23434
804-925-6311
Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
Changing exhibits, home of the Suffolk Art League.
219 N. Boundary St., Williamsburg
mail: Box 388, Williamsburg, VA 23185
804-229-4949
Tues.-Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5
Exhibits contemporary arts - affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
2040 Potters Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
804-491-3490
1759 Georgian-style house of the Walker family.
mail: 600 Settlers Landing Road
Hampton, VA 23669-4033
804-727-0900
Winter: Daily 10-5
Visitor center for NASA's Langley Research Center, with exhibits about Hampton's history in aerospace. On the waterfront, includes IMAX theater, and exhibits about the local history and archeology of Hampton Roads.
2200 Parks Ave.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
804-425-0000
Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
Exhibits modern American art, affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
3080 South Lynnhaven Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
804-431-4067
Tues. 7 pm, closed July
Programs vary monthly, open on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from October through March.
524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23601
804-595-1900
Sept.-mid-June: Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5, Thurs. 7-9
Exhibits about the plants and animals of Virginia, including an aquarium, aviary, and woodland walks. Planetarium and observatory.
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
804-425-3474
Winter: daily 9-5
Participatory exhibits include aquaria, touch tank on Chesapeake Bay marine life, freshwater tanks. Exhibits include features on Indians, Weather, Decoys, and an outdoor walk.
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
420 High St., Portsmouth
mail: P.O. Box 370
Portsmouth, VA 23705
804-393-8031
Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
Commemorates great individuals and moments in Virginia sports.
Virginia Zoological Park
3500 Granby St.
Norfolk, VA 23504
804-441-5227
Rare and domestic animals.
9285 Warwick Blvd.
Huntington Park
Newport News, VA 23607
804-247-8523
Collection of U.S. military artifacts including weapons, vehicles, documents.
309 Water St., Yorktown
mail: P.O. Box 531
Yorktown, VA 23690
804-887-2641
The work and lore of the Chesapeake Bay watermen, with tools, photos, and workboats, including the crabbing, fishing, and oystering industries.
601 East Freemason St., Norfolk
mailing address: c/o The Chrysler Museum
245 W. Olney Rd.
Norfolk, Va 23510
804-622-1211
1794 Georgian-style home and garden of a middle-class family.
2401 Corprew Ave.
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA 23504
804-683-8844
Mon.-Fri. 9-5
Permanent collection of African and African-American art, with changing exhibits.
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, VA 23185
804-253-4557
Daily 9-5
The oldest college building in America, built in 1695.
121 Alexander Hamilton Blvd., Yorktown
mail: P.O. Box 244
Yorktown, VA 23690
804-898-3076
Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5
Building moved from Yorktown battlefield, now used for art exhibits and crafts programs.
Colonial Parkway & Rt. 238, Yorktown
mail: P.O. Box 210
Yorktown, VA 23690
804-898-3400
Daily 8:30-5
Interprets the history of Yorktown, site of the last battle of the Revolutionary War.
Old Rt. 238 & Colonial Parkway, Yorktown
mail: P.O. Box JF
Williamsburg, VA 23187
804-253-4838
Living history presentations about life in the Colonial army and in the region at the time of the battle of Yorktown in 1781.
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg
mail: P.O. Box 8794
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8794
804-253-4550
Sept.-June: Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-1
Art exhibitions and exhibits from collections of the Library.Region 1 * Region 2 * Region 3 * Region 4 * Region 5
