National Register of Historic Places listings in Newport News, Virginia facts for kids

Location of Newport News in Virginia

Newport News, Virginia, is a city with a rich history! Many important places in the city are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This special list is like a hall of fame for buildings, sites, and objects across the United States that are important to history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our country's past and is often protected.

This article will tell you about some of the cool historic places in Newport News that are on this list. There are 35 of them in total! You can even find some of these places on a map using their special coordinates.

Exploring Newport News's Historic Sites

Newport News has many fascinating places that tell stories from long ago. These sites help us understand how people lived, worked, and even fought in the past.

Homes and Plantations with History

Many old homes and plantations in Newport News have been preserved because of their historical importance.

Endview Plantation: A Glimpse into the Past

Endview Plantation, a historic home from the 1700s.

Endview Plantation is a very old home located at 362 Yorktown Road. It was built in the late 1700s and played a part in both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. Imagine soldiers walking through these grounds! It's a great place to learn about life centuries ago.

Lee Hall Mansion: A Civil War Headquarters

Lee Hall Mansion, a grand home with a wartime past.

Lee Hall Mansion is another grand old home, found near the junction of U.S. 60 and VA 238. This mansion was built in the 1850s and served as a headquarters for Confederate generals during the Peninsula Campaign of the Civil War. It's one of the few remaining large antebellum (before the Civil War) homes on the Virginia Peninsula.

Matthew Jones House: One of the Oldest

The Matthew Jones House, a very old brick home.

The Matthew Jones House is one of the oldest brick houses in Virginia, located on Taylor Avenue at Fort Eustis. It was built around 1727! This house shows us how early settlers in Virginia lived and built their homes.

Simon Reid Curtis House: A Victorian Gem

The Simon Reid Curtis House, also known as Boxwood Inn.

The Simon Reid Curtis House at 10 Elmhurst Street is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture from 1896. It's also known as the Boxwood Inn and shows the style and elegance of homes built in the late 1800s.

Important Battlefields and Forts

Newport News was a significant location during several wars, and some of these sites are now protected.

Dam No. One Battlefield Site

A marker at the Dam No. One Battlefield Site.

The Dam No. One Battlefield Site at 13560 Jefferson Avenue was a key location during the Battle of Dam No. 1 in the Civil War. This battle was part of the Peninsula Campaign, where Union and Confederate forces clashed.

Fort Crafford: A Wartime Stronghold

Fort Crafford is located on the Fort Eustis Military Reservation. This site was part of a series of fortifications built during the Civil War to defend the area. It reminds us of the military history of Newport News.

Lee's Mill Earthworks: Defensive Lines

A historical marker at Lee's Mill.

The Lee's Mill Earthworks at 280 Rivers Ridge Circle are remains of defensive structures built during the Civil War. These earthworks were part of a strong Confederate defense line. They show the engineering efforts made during wartime.

Southern Terminal Redoubt: An Archaeological Site

The Southern Terminal Redoubt is an archaeological site at the end of Enterprise Drive. It's one of several important archaeological sites in the Oakland Farm Industrial Park. This site also relates to Civil War defenses, offering clues about military life and strategies.

Historic Districts and Neighborhoods

Some entire neighborhoods are considered historic because of their unique design and importance.

Hilton Village: A Planned Community

A street in Hilton Village, showing its unique design.

Hilton Village is a special neighborhood bounded by the James River, Post Street, Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad tracks, and Hopkins Street. It was built during World War I to house shipyard workers and is one of the first planned communities in the United States. It has a very distinct look and feel.

North End Historic District

The North End Historic District is a large area roughly bounded by Sixty-eighth Street, Warwick Boulevard, Fiftieth Street, and Huntington Avenue. This district includes many homes and buildings that show the growth and development of Newport News over time.

Important Buildings and Structures

Beyond homes, other buildings and structures in Newport News have played important roles in the city's development.

Causey's Mill: An Old Mill Site

Causey's Mill, a historic gristmill.

Causey's Mill at 11700 Warwick Road is a historic gristmill site. Mills like this were essential for grinding grain into flour, which was a vital part of daily life and the economy in earlier times.

Hotel Warwick: A Grand Old Hotel

The historic Hotel Warwick building.

The Hotel Warwick at 25th Street and West Avenue was once a grand hotel. It represents the early 20th-century growth of Newport News as a bustling city and port.

Lee Hall Depot: A Train Station's Story

Lee Hall Depot, an old train station being restored.

The Lee Hall Depot at 9 Elmhurst Street is an old train station built in 1881. Train stations were super important for travel and trade, connecting communities before cars were common. This depot is being restored to its former glory.

Medical Arts Building: A Place of Healing

The Medical Arts Building in Newport News.

The Medical Arts Building at 2901 West Avenue is a significant building that housed doctors' offices and medical services. It shows the development of healthcare in the city.

Newport News Middle Ground Light Station: A Guiding Light

The Newport News Middle Ground Light Station in the water.

The Newport News Middle Ground Light Station is a lighthouse located about 2 miles southeast of Newport News in the water. Lighthouses are crucial for guiding ships safely through waterways, especially at night or in bad weather.

Newport News Public Library: A Center for Learning

The Newport News Public Library building.

The Newport News Public Library at 2907 West Avenue is recognized for its architecture and its role as a community hub for learning and reading.

Noland Company Building: A Business Landmark

The Noland Company Building.

The Noland Company Building at 2600 Warwick Boulevard was once the headquarters for a major plumbing and heating supply company. It's a reminder of the industrial and business history of Newport News.

Warwick County Courthouses: Where Justice Was Served

The historic Warwick County Courthouse.

The Warwick County Courthouses on Old Courthouse Way are important because they were the center of local government and justice for Warwick County before it became part of Newport News.

Whittaker Memorial Hospital: A Pioneer in Healthcare

Whittaker Memorial Hospital, a historic medical facility.

The Whittaker Memorial Hospital at 1003 28th Street was a very important hospital, especially for the African American community during a time of segregation. It provided vital medical care and training.

Other Notable Sites

Newport News also has other unique historic places, from churches to cemeteries.

First Baptist Church: A Community Cornerstone

The First Baptist Church-Newport News at 119 29th Street is a significant religious and community building. Churches often serve as important social and cultural centers in a city's history.

Greenlawn Cemetery: A Place of Rest and History

A monument in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Greenlawn Cemetery at 2700 Parish Avenue is more than just a burial ground; it's a historic landscape that tells stories through its monuments and the people buried there.

J. Thomas Newsome House: A Leader's Home

The J. Thomas Newsome House.

The J. Thomas Newsome House at 2803 Oak Avenue was the home of J. Thomas Newsome, a prominent African American attorney, journalist, and community leader in Newport News. His home is a reminder of his important contributions.

Riverside Apartments: Early Modern Living

The Riverside Apartments at 4500-4600 Washington Avenue represent an important period in housing development in the city, showing how people lived in multi-family buildings.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church: A Place of Worship

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at 230 33rd Street is another important religious building, recognized for its architecture and its role in the community.

Smith's Pharmacy: A Local Business Legacy

Smith's Pharmacy building.

Smith's Pharmacy at 3114 Chestnut Avenue was a local pharmacy, important for providing healthcare and services to the community. Small businesses like this are the backbone of a city's history.

Temple Sinai: A Place of Faith

Temple Sinai at 11620 Warwick Boulevard is a significant religious building for the Jewish community in Newport News.

Archaeological Sites: Digging Up the Past

Some of the most interesting historic places are not standing buildings but archaeological sites, where experts dig to find clues about ancient life.

Boldrup Plantation Archeological Site

The Boldrup Plantation Archeological Site is a place where archaeologists have found evidence of an old plantation. These sites help us understand what life was like for early settlers and the people who lived and worked on plantations.

Denbigh Plantation Site

The Denbigh Plantation Site on Route 60 is another important archaeological site related to an early plantation. Digging here can reveal details about colonial life.

First Denbigh Parish Church Archeological Site

The First Denbigh Parish Church Archeological Site is where the remains of an early church have been found. This tells us about the religious practices and community life of the first European settlers in the area.

Queen Hith Plantation Complex Site

The Queen Hith Plantation Complex Site is another archaeological site that gives us clues about early plantation life and the people who lived there.

Richneck Plantation Site

The Richneck Plantation Site is an archaeological site that provides more information about the history of plantations in the region.

Skiffes Creek Sand Spit Site

The Skiffes Creek Sand Spit Site is an archaeological site that might reveal information about early Native American life or colonial activities along the waterways.

These sites, whether grand mansions or hidden archaeological digs, all contribute to the rich story of Newport News and are preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.