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

Norfolk, Virginia, is a city with a rich history, and many of its important buildings and places are protected because they are part of the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government. When a place is on this list, it means it's really important for history, architecture, or what it means to American culture.

In Norfolk, there are over 60 places on this list! These include old houses, churches, theaters, and even whole neighborhoods. Protecting these spots helps us remember the past and learn about how people lived and worked long ago. It also makes sure these special places can be enjoyed by future generations.

Cool Historic Places in Norfolk

Let's explore some of the amazing places in Norfolk that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Each one has a unique story!

Attucks Theatre

The historic Attucks Theatre

The Attucks Theatre is a super important building located at 1008-1012 Church Street. It was built in 1919 and was a major entertainment spot for the African American community during a time when segregation was common. Many famous musicians and performers played here. It's known as the "Apollo of the South" and is still used today for shows and events.

Christ and St. Luke's Church

Christ and St. Luke's Church

This beautiful church, found at 560 West Olney Road, was added to the list in 1979. It's a wonderful example of Gothic Revival architecture, which means it looks like old European churches with tall spires and detailed stonework. It's a peaceful and historic place of worship.

Downtown Norfolk Historic District

Granby Street in the Downtown Norfolk Historic District

Imagine an entire area of a city being historic! The Downtown Norfolk Historic District includes many streets like Granby, Main, and Plume Streets. This area shows how Norfolk grew as a city, with many old buildings that tell stories of businesses, homes, and city life from different time periods. It was first listed in 1987 and later expanded to include even more historic parts.

Fort Norfolk

Fort Norfolk, overlooking the Elizabeth River

Located at 803 Front Street, Fort Norfolk is a military fort built in the late 1700s. It was important for defending the city and the Elizabeth River. It's one of the few remaining forts from that time period in Virginia and gives us a glimpse into early American defense strategies. It became a historic place in 1976.

Freemason Street Baptist Church

Freemason Street Baptist Church

This church, located at the northeast corner of Freemason and Bank Streets, was built in the 1800s. It's a grand building with a tall steeple and beautiful architecture. It has been a central part of the community for a very long time and was added to the National Register in 1971.

Ghent Historic District

A view of The Hague in the Ghent Historic District

The Ghent Historic District is a large neighborhood roughly bounded by Olney Road, Virginia Beach Boulevard, Smith's Creek, and Brambleton Avenue. This area is famous for its lovely old homes and tree-lined streets, many built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Walking through Ghent is like stepping back in time to see how people lived in a charming, well-planned community. It was listed in 1980.

Monticello Arcade

Inside the Monticello Arcade

The Monticello Arcade, found in the 200 block of East City Hall Avenue, is a unique building. It's an indoor shopping arcade, which was a popular type of building in the early 20th century. It has a beautiful glass roof and interesting shops. It was added to the list in 1975, showing its importance as a historic commercial space.

Moses Myers House

The Moses Myers House

The Moses Myers House is at the southwest corner of East Freemason and North Bank Streets. Built in 1792, it's one of the oldest brick houses in Norfolk and is a great example of early American architecture. It was home to Moses Myers, a successful Jewish merchant. Today, it's a museum where you can see how a wealthy family lived over 200 years ago. It was listed in 1970.

Norfolk Academy

The old Norfolk Academy building

The historic building of Norfolk Academy at 420 Bank Street was added to the National Register in 1969. This building housed one of the oldest private schools in Virginia, founded in 1728. It played a big role in educating many important people in Norfolk's history.

Norfolk Botanical Garden

A canal at the Norfolk Botanical Garden

The Norfolk Botanical Garden (specifically the Norfolk Azalea Garden part) at 6700 Azalea Garden Road was recognized in 2005. This isn't just a pretty garden; it's a huge and important collection of plants, especially azaleas. It's a place of natural beauty and a significant green space for the city.

Norfolk City Hall

Norfolk City Hall

The current Norfolk City Hall building at 421 East City Hall Avenue was listed in 1972. This building is important because it's where the city's government operates. It also houses the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial, a museum dedicated to the famous World War II general.

Old Norfolk City Hall

The Old Norfolk City Hall building

Before the current City Hall, there was an Old Norfolk City Hall at 235 East Plume Street. This building, listed in 1981, served as the city's main government building for many years. It's a grand building that shows the importance of civic life in Norfolk's past.

St. Paul's Church

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

St. Paul's Church at 201 St. Paul's Boulevard is one of the oldest buildings in Norfolk, dating back to 1739! It's famous for being the only building in the city center to survive the burning of Norfolk during the American Revolutionary War. You can still see a cannonball lodged in its wall from that time! It was listed in 1971.

USS WISCONSIN (BB-64) battleship

The USS Wisconsin battleship in Norfolk

The mighty USS Wisconsin battleship, docked at 1 Waterside Drive, is a very special historic place. This huge warship played a role in World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. It's now a museum where you can explore its decks and learn about naval history. It was added to the National Register in 2012.

U.S. Customhouse

The U.S. Customhouse in Norfolk, circa 1900

The U.S. Customhouse at 101 East Main Street was listed in 1970. This building was where customs duties (taxes on goods coming into the country) were collected. It's a beautiful and important building that shows Norfolk's long history as a major port city.

Wells Theatre

The historic Wells Theatre

The Wells Theatre at Tazewell Street and Monticello Avenue was added to the list in 1980. This grand theater opened in 1913 and was a popular spot for vaudeville shows and movies. It's been beautifully restored and still hosts live performances today, keeping its entertainment history alive.

Willoughby-Baylor House

The Willoughby-Baylor House

The Willoughby-Baylor House at 601 Freemason Street is another very old and important house, listed in 1971. Built around 1794, it's a great example of Federal-style architecture. It gives us a peek into the lives of early Norfolk residents.

Places No Longer on the List

Sometimes, a place that was once on the National Register of Historic Places is removed from the list. This usually happens if the building is torn down or changed so much that it no longer has its historic importance.

For example, the Christ Church (not to be confused with Christ and St. Luke's Church) was listed in 1971 but was later demolished in 1973. The Walter Herron Taylor Elementary School and the John T. West School were also once listed but were torn down. Even the tugboat Huntington was on the list but was later scrapped, though its pilot house was saved for a museum.

These changes remind us that while we try to preserve history, sometimes things change, and we lose a piece of the past. That's why it's so important to protect the historic places we still have!

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  Location of Norfolk in Virginia