Virginia Beach, Virginia

Imagine life on a Tidewater Virginia plantation almost 300 years ago. That's what the Lynnhaven House represents. Built around 1725, this house was originally part of a 250-acre plantation owned by the Thelaball family.…

Before you, the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal whispers tales of vital waterways and ambitious engineering. In the mid-1800s, a corporation embarked on a grand project: to connect the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound…

Pulling up to Norfolk Academy? You're near a place with some serious history – we're talking nearly three centuries of it! Chartered way back in 1728, Norfolk Academy holds the title of the oldest private school in…

Believe it or not, this gorgeous garden grew from a patch of barren land! The Norfolk Botanical Garden's story began in 1938 during the Great Depression. A grant of $77,000 was secured from the Works Progress…

Step back in time as you pass Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, a window into Norfolk's rich Catholic heritage. Established in 1854 by the pastor of St. Mary's Church, it became the final resting place for Catholics from…

This humble cemetery whispers tales of resilience and remembrance, a place where Norfolk's African American history is etched in stone. Established in 1873, West Point Cemetery, also known as Potter's Field, served as a…

You're looking at a survivor! Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is the only colonial-era building still standing after the devastating Burning of Norfolk in 1776. During the Revolutionary War, Norfolk was a key port city.…

Norfolk, Virginia, owes its existence to the water. The deepwater port, a natural harbor, drew people seeking opportunity and connection. Named for a town across the Atlantic, it was officially established as a borough…

Right here, in 1775, colonial forces handed the British a major defeat at the Battle of Great Bridge, a pivotal moment in the early days of the Revolutionary War. Royal Governor Lord Dunmore had fortified the south side…

Get ready to shift gears back in time! This area, now known as the Norfolk Auto Row Historic District, was once the heart of the city's car culture. Originally a low-income housing area in the early 1900s, this area…

Catch a show at the Wells Theatre, a beautifully restored performing arts venue that has been entertaining Norfolk audiences for decades. Built by the vaudeville impresario Jake Wells, the Wells Theatre opened its doors…

Step back in time at this historic shopping arcade built in 1907 in the Beaux Arts style. The Monticello Arcade was built on land leased from the Selden Grandy Estate. It's a three-story building with a steel frame,…

These walls have witnessed Norfolk's transformation from a bustling colonial port to a modern city. Built around 1791, the Taylor–Whittle House is a prime example of Federal-style architecture, popular in the early days…

Get ready to be amazed by art! The Chrysler Museum isn't just another museum; it's a testament to how one person's passion can transform a city. It all started in 1933 as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences. Then,…

Step aboard, virtually, the USS Wisconsin, a WWII-era battleship that saw action in the Pacific and Korea, and now serves as a museum. Completed in 1944, she joined the fight in the Pacific. She shelled Japanese-held…

Railroads built America, and this district shows how Norfolk rode that iron horse to prosperity. Centered around the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks, this area exploded between 1890 and 1930, becoming a hub of…

You're looking at a true workhorse of American naval history: Drydock Number One at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. It's the oldest operational drydock in the U.S., and it's seen a *lot*. Construction began in 1827, and it…

Chesapeake, Virginia, sits squarely on land carved out by the English, but its story is more complex than a simple colonial narrative. Early settlers, drawn by the promise of tobacco farming, came primarily from…

Imagine Portsmouth bustling with activity, the air thick with the scent of coal and the rumble of locomotives. This is where the Seaboard Coastline Building, originally known as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad building,…

Marvel at the architecture of this late 19th-century Knights of Pythias building, a unique landmark in Portsmouth. This is the Pythian Castle, built between 1897 and 1898 for the Atlantic Lodge, Knights of Pythias. It's…

This spot isn't just a town square; it's a place where history grapples with memory. The Confederate Monument, erected here between 1876 and 1881, stood as a powerful symbol for decades. It was a 35-foot obelisk made of…

Step back in time to a place where movies were more than just a screen: the Commodore Theatre. Built in 1945, this Art Deco gem was *the* place to be in Portsmouth. Originally seating 1,000 moviegoers, the Commodore…

Ever wonder what it was like to walk through a bustling colonial port city? You're standing in it! Downtown Portsmouth is a living museum, with over 200 buildings that tell the story of this historic place. This area…

Ever wonder how America protected its harbors in the early days? Fort Norfolk is a perfect example. Built between 1795 and 1809, this fort was part of George Washington's plan for coastal defense. It played a role in…

You're now approaching the East Radford Historic District, a place that tells the story of Radford's boomtown days. It's a neighborhood that sprang to life after the railroad arrived, transforming a small depot into a…

The world's largest naval station, home to the Atlantic Fleet and over seventy-five ships.

This unassuming spot was once the vibrant heart of a world's fair! It was 1907, and the United States was celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement with the Jamestown Exposition. Picture a sprawling…