Portsmouth: Museums & Historical Places

Organization dedicated to collecting local African history and promoting, encouraging, and coordinating original historical activities, relating to African Americans in the Portsmouth area through oral and written interviews and other research activities.

Hands On Exhibits, Classes and Events. Birthday Parties and Summer Camps and Homeschool Programs.

A series of Civil War battle sites also used as a path for the Underground Railroad.

Museum & Cultural Center honoring Jewish history in Hampton Roads. Tours by appointment.

This lightship turned museum is fitted out realistically and filled with artifacts, uniforms, photographs, models, and more.

The Pokey Smokey II is a ride-able scale replica of the 1863 C.P. Huntington train. Rides given seasonally according to a set schedule (see website link) for a small fee.

Rotating visual art exhibits, lectures, classes and performances. First Friday and Saturday Activities are Free and open to the public. Summer Camps available.

This museum covers over 250 years of history surrounding America’s oldest and largest naval shipyard.

Lear all about the local history of trains. Birthday party options may be available.

A four story brick home operated as a not-for-profit museum.

The Portsmouth Community Colored Library served black patrons from 1945 until 1963, when the main library was integrated.