Hampton Roads Naval Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1979 |
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| Location | One Waterside Drive, Suite 248 Norfolk, Virginia U.S. |
| Type |  U.S. Navy Naval History |
The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is a cool place to learn about the U.S. Navy! It's one of ten Navy museums run by the Naval History & Heritage Command. This museum celebrates the Navy's long and important history in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. You can find it right next to Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. In December 2008, the museum earned a special award. It was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This is like getting a gold star for being a really great museum!
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What You Can See: Museum Collections
The museum has many interesting things to explore. Its main exhibits show different parts of naval history.
Key Historical Events Displayed
- The Battle of the Chesapeake from 1781. This was an important sea battle.
- The American Civil War in Hampton Roads. Learn about naval events from this time.
- The Great White Fleet. This was a famous journey by U.S. Navy battleships.
- World War II. Discover the Navy's role in this huge global conflict.
- The Cold War. See how the Navy operated during this period of tension.
Special Items and Shipwrecks
The museum also has a strong collection of naval prints. You can see many detailed ship models. They also have items found through underwater archaeology. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is the official home for parts of two Civil War shipwrecks. These are the USS Cumberland and the CSS Florida.
Museum's Journey: A Look at Its History
The Hampton Roads Naval Museum has been around for a while. It has moved and grown over the years.
Early Days in Pennsylvania House
The museum first opened its doors on August 31, 1979. It was located in a building called the Pennsylvania House. This building was a copy of Independence Hall. It was one of the special state buildings left over from the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. That was a big world's fair! In 1984, a major exhibit was added. It focused on the Civil War in Hampton Roads.
Moving to Nauticus: More Space, More Learning
During the 1980s, the city of Norfolk invited the museum to move. They wanted it to be part of a new maritime center downtown. The Navy agreed to this exciting offer. In 1994, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum opened in the Nauticus National Maritime Center. This move was a big deal! The museum gained much more space for exhibits. It also started offering many more educational programs for visitors.
Caring for the USS Wisconsin
In 2000, the museum took on a new responsibility. They began managing the battleship USS Wisconsin. This huge ship was docked right next to Nauticus that year. It opened for public tours on April 16, 2001. In December 2009, the Navy gave the battleship to the city of Norfolk. This meant the museum's job of supervising the ship came to an end.
What You Can Do: Programs and Resources
The museum offers many ways to learn and explore. They have special exhibits and educational activities.
Temporary Exhibits and Learning Opportunities
In recent years, the museum has featured special temporary exhibits. These have included "Animals and the US Navy." Another was "Cuba Libre: The Spanish–American War in the Caribbean." They also had "Pax Americana: The US Navy in the Era of Violent Peace." The museum also provides guided tours. They have a lecture series where experts talk about naval history. Plus, they offer many educational programs for different age groups.
Volunteers and Research Materials
A group of dedicated volunteers helps with all museum activities. They are a big part of what makes the museum special. If you're really interested in naval history, there's more! The museum has a reference library and an archive. They also have a collection of photographs. These resources focus on naval material from the Hampton Roads area. You can visit them by making an appointment.
Online History Blog
The museum also keeps a weekly history blog online. This blog shares interesting facts and stories. It covers many naval history topics related to the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. The museum's staff historian writes the blog. Other content comes from the museum's volunteers, educators, and staff members.
See also
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- List of museum ships
