General Information

Museums, Marketing and Tourism

Steeped in over 300 years of history, Portsmouth offers a variety of historic districts featuring homes with a rich diversity of architectural styles. With one of the oldest working harbors in the country you can expect to see a wide range of ships passing by the famous Seawall. Enjoy our harbor tours, outdoor festivals, art galleries, antique shops and exciting entertainment.

The Children’s Museum of Virginia

Portsmouth is also home to the Children’s Museum of Virginia. In existence since 1980, this museum has experienced three expansions. It opened in its current location in 1994, growing from 2,300 square feet to 27,000 square feet. In its first year in its new facility, it received nearly 200,000 visitors. Phase II of the museum opened August 14, 1998. In addition to more interactive exhibits, it houses the Lancaster Antique Train and Toy Collection valued at nearly $1 million. Funding for the second phase of expansion, which cost approximately $3.5 million, was provided by the City’s Capital Improvement Fund matched by contributions and grants from the private sector.

Courthouse Galleries

The former courthouse for Portsmouth and Norfolk County, originally designed and built in 1846, has been preserved for adaptive re-use as the Courthouse Galleries. Listed in the Virginia Register of Historic Places, this museum is located in the Olde Towne Business District and offers twelve to fifteen changing national and international exhibits each year. As an affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, it also serves as an arts center, offering workshops and classes, as well as lectures and performing arts programs.

Other Museums

Other Museums in Portsmouth include the Naval Shipyard Museum, which offers exhibits on local history as well as the region’s maritime heritage, including artifacts from the Battle of the Ironclads. This museum also houses the Marshall Butt Research Library. The Museum of Military History houses artifacts and other wartime memorabilia. The Lightship Portsmouth is one of the City’s National Historic Landmarks and open for public visitation. It is a living history of the United States Lightship Service. The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is a statewide museum located in the City, which recognizes Virginia athletes who have excelled in their field of sports. The Portsmouth Historical Association owns and operates the Hill House. This is an original English basement dwelling, which is furnished and decorated as it was by three generations of the Hill family. It is open on a seasonal schedule. The Little Theatre of Portsmouth, founded in 1938, is one of the oldest, continuously producing community theaters in Virginia. It offers several fine stage productions each year.