Hampton Roads Naval Museum

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum in Norfolk, Virginia, is devoted to the maritime history of the region and is one of the ten museums operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. After opening in 1979 in the historic Pennsylvania House, a replica of Independence Hall built for the 1907 World's Fair, the museum moved in 1994 to the Nauticus National Maritime Center downtown. The move significantly increased exhibit space and allowed for an expanded range of educational programs. The permanent exhibits highlight major events such as the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781, the American Civil War, the Great White Fleet, and the World Wars and the Cold War. Particularly noteworthy are the collections of maritime prints, ship models, and underwater archaeology, as the museum holds the official remains of the two Civil War wrecks USS Cumberland and CSS Florida. In addition to the permanent exhibits, you can visit rotating special exhibitions, join guided tours, and use the public reference library and the archive of regional naval history, both of which are accessible by appointment.