National Register of Historic Places listings in Hampton, Virginia facts for kids
Welcome to a special list of amazing places in Hampton, Virginia! These places are super important because they are on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, areas, and sites that have a big story to tell about American history.
Hampton has 30 of these cool historic spots. Five of them are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. That means they are super important to the whole country's history! Let's explore some of these awesome places.
Contents
Historic Forts and Military Spots
Hampton has a rich military history, with several forts and sites that played a big role in protecting the country.
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe is a huge, star-shaped fort right on the water. It's one of the largest stone forts ever built in the United States! It was started way back in 1819. During the American Civil War, it was a really important Union (North) stronghold, even when Virginia joined the Confederacy (South). It was a place where many enslaved people found freedom during the war.
Chapel of the Centurion
Inside Fort Monroe, you'll find the Chapel of the Centurion. This chapel was built in 1858. It's the oldest wooden building in the United States that has been used continuously for military religious services. Imagine all the soldiers who have prayed and found peace here over the years!
Quarters 1 and 17
At Fort Monroe, there are also historic homes called Quarters 1 and Quarters 17. Quarters 1 was the main headquarters for the fort for many years. Even Abraham Lincoln stayed here when he was planning important battles during the Civil War. Quarters 17 was home to Robert E. Lee when he was a young army engineer helping to build the fort in the 1830s.
Fort Wool
Just across the water from Fort Monroe, on its own island, is Fort Wool. This fort was also built to protect the harbor. It's a cool place to visit because you have to take a boat to get there! It was used during the Civil War and other conflicts.
Old Point Comfort Lighthouse
Near Fort Monroe, you can see the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. This lighthouse has been guiding ships safely into the harbor since 1802. It's one of the oldest lighthouses in the Chesapeake Bay area and has seen a lot of history happen around it!
Hampton National Cemetery
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The Hampton National Cemetery is a special place where soldiers who served our country are buried. It was created during the Civil War. It's a quiet and respectful place to remember those who gave so much.
Cool Science and Space History
Hampton is also a place where amazing things happened in science and space exploration!
NASA Langley Research Center Historic District
The NASA Langley Research Center Historic District is a really important place for science. It's where NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) does a lot of its research. Many famous scientists and engineers have worked here, helping us understand flight and space.
Lunar Landing Research Facility
Imagine practicing landing on the Moon! That's what they did at the Lunar Landing Research Facility at NASA Langley. This facility helped astronauts train for the Apollo missions, including the first Moon landing. It's a huge structure that allowed them to simulate the Moon's gravity.
Rendezvous Docking Simulator
Another cool invention at NASA Langley was the Rendezvous Docking Simulator. This machine helped astronauts learn how to connect two spacecraft together in space. This skill was super important for missions like going to the Moon or building the International Space Station.
Variable Density Tunnel
The Variable Density Tunnel is a type of wind tunnel at NASA Langley. Wind tunnels are used to test how airplanes and spacecraft fly. This special tunnel could change the air pressure inside, which helped engineers test models more accurately. It was a big step forward in aviation research.
Important Buildings and Neighborhoods
Hampton has many other historic buildings and even whole neighborhoods that tell stories about the past.
Hampton University
Hampton University is a very important school. It was founded in 1868, right after the Civil War, to educate formerly enslaved people. It has a long history of helping students learn and grow, and it's still a major university today.
St. John's Church
St. John's Church is one of the oldest churches in the United States where English is spoken. It was established in 1610! Imagine how many people have worshipped here over hundreds of years.
The Chamberlin Hotel
The Chamberlin Hotel is a beautiful old hotel located near Fort Monroe. It was built in 1928 and has hosted many famous people over the years. It's known for its grand style and amazing views of the water.
Buckroe Beach Carousel
The Buckroe Beach Carousel is a fun and historic ride! This carousel was built in 1920 and has been bringing joy to kids and families for decades. It's a classic amusement park ride that's still spinning today.
Aberdeen Gardens
Aberdeen Gardens is a special neighborhood in Hampton. It was built in the 1930s as part of a New Deal program to provide good housing for African American families during the Great Depression. It was designed to be a self-sufficient community.
Hampton Downtown Historic District
The Hampton Downtown Historic District includes many of the old buildings and streets in the heart of Hampton. Walking through this area is like taking a step back in time, seeing how the city has grown and changed over the years.
Phoebus Historic District
Phoebus Historic District is another historic neighborhood in Hampton. It used to be its own town before it became part of Hampton. It has a unique character with many historic buildings and a strong community feel.
Other Historic Homes and Districts
- Reuben Clark House: This is a historic home that shows how people lived in Hampton in the past.
- Herbert House: Another historic house, located right on Hampton Creek, with a long history.
- Little England Chapel: A small, historic chapel that served its community for many years.
- Scott House: An important historic home in Hampton.
- William H. Trusty House: Another historic residence that adds to Hampton's rich architectural history.
- Old Wythe Historic District: A neighborhood with many historic homes and a strong sense of community.
- Pasture Point Historic District: This historic district is bounded by water and has a unique charm.
- Victoria Boulevard Historic District: A beautiful area with historic homes along Victoria Boulevard.
Former Listings
Sometimes, places are removed from the National Register, usually because they are no longer there or have changed too much.
Eight-Foot High Speed Tunnel
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This was another important wind tunnel at NASA Langley. It was used for testing aircraft at high speeds. It was removed from the list in 2014.
Full Scale Tunnel
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The Full Scale Tunnel was a very large wind tunnel at NASA Langley, big enough to test actual airplanes! It was also removed from the list in 2014.
