Home » Visitors » What to Do » Heritage Sites

Heritage Sites

Few cities possess the rich tapestry of multicultural historic sites as Hampton, Virginia. These sites encourage us to reflect on the past contributions and advancements of African and Native Americans, inspiring us to excel.

Attractions	Beach Fun	Cruises
Eco Tourism	History	Military
Museums	Theaters	Heritage Sites
Civil War Travel	Day Spas	Fine Arts

Statue of Booker T Washington on the Campus of Hampton University

Did You Know?
    Hampton was the site of
        America’s first organized teaching
    of African Americans.

9 Attractions Found

Aberdeen Gardens Historic Museum

The museum celebrates the history, heritage and future of historic Aberdeen Gardens. Built for and by African Americans in 1935 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Settlement, the neighborhood provided modern homes to African American shipping workers.

57 N. Mary Peake Boulevard
Hampton, VA
(757) 826-1281
(757) 826-7349
(757) 722-2345

The museum celebrates the history, heritage and future of historic Aberdeen Gardens. Built for and by African Americans in 1935 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Settlement, the museum and community are a testament to the great accomplishments possible when a group of people work together to achieve a common goal. January-April: Fri 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April through September: Open Mon, Wed, Fri 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Holidays. For other times, call for appointment. Free. I-664, exit 3.

Free admission.
Highway exit: 1-664, exit 3

Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10am-2pm; For other times, call for appointment.

Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe

The largest stone fort ever built in the U.S., Fort Monroe is headquarters for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Casemate 20, Bernard Road
Fort Monroe, VA
(757) 788-3391
(757) 788-3886 fax
hansonc@monroe.army.mil

The largest stone fort ever built in the U.S., Fort Monroe is headquarters for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Located within the historic fort's stone walls, the Casemate Museum chronicles the history of the fort, the Coast Artillery Corps, and the U.S. Army in Hampton Roads. During the Civil War, Fort Monroe was a Union-held bastion in the center of a Confederate state and helped shelter thousands of slave refugees, earning it the nickname "Freedom's Fortress." A tour highlight is the cell where Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned.

Hours: Daily, 10:30am-4:30pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Free admission

Highway Exit: I-64, exit 268

Fort Wool

This island fortress, dating to 1819, played important roles in the Civil War and in both World Wars.

Hampton Roads Harbor
Hampton, VA
1-800-800-2202
(757) 727-1102

This island fortress, dating to 1819, played important roles in the Civil War and in both World Wars. Although not accessible by car, it is easy to view from the Chesapeake Bay shore of Fort Monroe and is featured during the Miss Hampton II harbor tour.

Open May-September: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

Admission: Purchase tickets from the Harbor cruise office located inside the Hampton Maritime Center. For ticket information, go to www.misshamptoncruises.com or call 757-722-9102, 888-757-BOAT.

Hampton History Museum

Galleries recount Hampton history from the city's early inhabitance by the Kecoughtan Tribe and the contributions of African Americans. View ten permanent galleries that bridge the past with the present, spanning from Hampton's settlement to the city's role as the founding site for the U.S. space program.

Downtown Hampton
120 Old Hampton Lane
Hampton, VA
(757) 727-1610
(800) 800-2202

Experience four centuries of national history and view how Hampton evolved as “America’s Gateway” from Native American days to the Space Age. Ten galleries share the beginning of the Virginia Colony and the phases of Tidewater Virginia life while the visitor has surprises along the way. Meet Blackbeard the Pirate as he lurks in the galleries, experience the burning of Hampton during the Civil War and see how the Contraband decision was the first step toward freedom for millions of African-Americans. Also home to Hampton Visitor Center and Museum Shop.

Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. Closed major holidays.
Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, active military, active NASA, AAA, children 4-12. Under 4 free.
Free visitor parking is available in the parking garage located at 555 Settlers Landing Road and accessed from History Museum Way, across the street from the museum entrance.
Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267

Hampton University Museum

Established in 1868 as the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute to educate newly-freed African Americans, Hampton University’s campus is home to six national historic landmarks. Among them is Emancipation Oak, where Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was read to the citizens of Hampton, and Booker T. Washington Memorial Garden and Statue.

Huntington Building
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
(757) 727-5308
(757) 727-5170 fax
museum@hamptonu.edu

Pick up a walking tour brochure at Hampton University Museum, the oldest African-American museum in the nation, to tour the historic Hampton University campus, home to several national Historic Landmarks. The museum collection of 9,000 items is one of the most exceptional collections of African, Native-American and African-American art in the United States and is the oldest African-American museum in the country. The museum is also renowned for its world-class collection of contemporary art by African-American artists.

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm; Sat, noon-4pm. Closed Sun. Closed major holidays and campus holidays.
Free admission
Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267

Permanent Gallery Information

Hampton Visitor Center

The Hampton Visitor Center, now located in the Hampton History Museum, is the perfect place to begin your city tour.

Downtown Hampton
120 Old Hampton Lane
Hampton, VA
(800) 800-2202
(757) 727-1102
visitor@hamptoncvb.com

The Hampton Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin your city tour. You will find a variety of maps, area attraction brochures and personal attention from a Visitor Information Specialist. The Visitor Center shares an address with the Hampton History Museum and gift shop.

Parking is accessible in the free Settlers Landing Parking Garage. Free on-street parking is also available.

Hours: Daily, 9am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day.

Free admission.

Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267

Little England Chapel

Built circa 1879, Little England Chapel is Virginia's only-known African-American missionary chapel. The sanctuary holds a permanent exhibit that helps visitors understand the religious lives of post-Civil War African-Americans in Virginia and include handwritten Sunday school lessons, photographs, a 12-minute video, and 19th-century religious books. The chapel is both a state historic landmark and is on the National Historic Landmark. Call for church tour.

4100 Kecoughtan Road
Hampton, VA
(757) 722-4249

Built circa 1879, this is Virginia’s only known African American missionary chapel. Exhibits interpret the religious lives of post-Civil War African-Americans
in Virginia and include handwritten Sunday School lessons, photographs, a 12-minute video, and 19th-century religious books. A State and National Historic Landmark. Call for church tour.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-3pm; open other days by appointment; Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Free admission; donations accepted
Highway Exit: I-64, exit 265 or 267

Miss Hampton II Harbor Cruises

This double-decked tour boat offers daily narrated cruises of the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay. Get a taste of Hampton's seafaring culture as you take to the water to see local fishing boats, mighty commercial cargo ships, Blackbeard's Point, Old Point Comfort, Fort Wool and the awesome gray fleet at the world's largest naval insallation, Norfolk Naval Base.

Downtown Hampton
710 Settlers Landing Road
Hampton, VA
(757) 722-9102
(888) 757-2628
(757) 722-9113 fax

Daily Harbor Cruise Features:


Naval Station Norfolk Fort Wool The Historic Hampton Roads Harbor Battle of the Ironclads during the Civil War	Blackbeard the Pirate America's oldest operating Lighthouse Historic Fort Monroe Hampton University, and more!

Cruises depart 10:00 AM daily. Additional 2:00 PM daily departure Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Tour length: approximately 2 1/2 hours - 3 hours. Special tours, programs and all-day cruises available, including Intracostal Waterway excursions and James River Ghost Fleet tours. Private charters offered.

Purchase tickets at the Harbor Cruises office located in the Hampton Maritime Center.

Tours: April-October, Daily, 10:00am; Memorial Day-Labor Day, Daily, 10:00am & 2pm. closed Nov-Mar.

Admission: Adults, $22.00; Seniors & Military, $20.00; Children 7-12, $11.00; Children under 6, free. Admission includes 10% tax; prices subject to change.

Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267

Virginia Air & Space Center

600 Settlers Landing Road
Hampton, VA
(757) 727-0900
(800) 296-0800
(757) 727-0898 fax

The visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center and Langley Air Force Base. This world-class facility features the Space Quest and Adventures in Flight galleries, and more than 100 "hands-on" exhibits that tell the story of air and space exploration. See the Apollo 12 Command Module, a Mars meteorite and a three-billion year-old moon rock! Visit the technologically advanced Riverside 3D IMAX Theater and see a 3D IMAX film on a giant five-story screen with 16,000 watts of digital-sound.

Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day: Mon-Wed, 10am-5pm; Thurs-Sun, 10am-7pm.
Labor Day-Memorial Day: Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm. Sun, noon to 5pm
Open Thanksgiving evening. Closed Christmas Day.

Admission: Exhibits only: Adults, $9.50; Military, NASA & Seniors, $8.50; Children 3-18, $7.50.
IMAX (45-min) only: Adults, $8.00; Military, NASA & Seniors, $7.00; Children 3-18, $6.75.
IMAX (90-min+) only: Adults, $10.00; Military, NASA & Seniors, $9.50; Children 3-18, $8.50.

Combo (IMAX (45-min) & Exhibits): Adults, $15.00; Military, NASA & Seniors, $14.00; Children 3-18, $12.00.
Combo (IMAX (90-min+) & Exhibits): Adults, $16.00; Military, NASA & Seniors, $15.00; Children 3-18, $13.00.
Prices and hours subject to change.

Highway Exit: I-64, exit 267

9 Attractions Found