U.S. Destinations : Virginia : Tidewater / Hampton Roads : Civil War History
Virginia
Tidewater / Hampton Roads
Civil War History

Bacon's Castle
P.O. Box 364
Surry,  Virginia  23883
Phone: (757) 357-5976

Bacon's Castle was built in 1665 by Arthur Allen. The "castle" is one of the oldest brick homes still standing in English North America. The castle was named for Nathaniel Bacon, the leader of the rebels who revolted against Royal Governor Berkeley in 1676. The house was taken over by some of his men during the revolt.

Berkeley Plantation
12602 Harrison Landing Road
Charles City,  Virginia  23030
Phone: (804) 829-6018
Toll-Free: (888) 466-6018

Berkeley is Virginia's most historic plantation. Visit the site of the first official Thanksgiving (1619). See the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and President William Henry Harrison, our nation's ninth president, whose grandson Benjamin became the 23rd president. Envision Lincoln reviewing 140,000 Union troops. Hear "Taps" (composed here in 1862). We invite you to experience Berkeley's famous hospitality, as did the first ten presidents. An architectual gem, the elegant 1726 Georgian mansion is furnished with rare period antiques. Five terraces of restored boxwood and flower gardens overlook farmlands and offer breathtaking vistas of the James River.

Black Soldiers Memorial (Civ. War)
Princess Anne Rd.
Norfolk,  Virginia  23504
Phone: (757) 441-2576

This Civil War monument to honor African American Union soldiers is a rare find in the South -- this is the only one. A column is topped with a black yankee soldier, sometimes called "Billy Yank." Both Civil War and Spanish American War vets are buried here.

Charles City County Courthouse
Virginia Route 5
Charles City,  Virginia  23030
Phone: (804) 829-9201

One of Virginia's important colonial courthouses built in the mid 1750s. The brickwork is very similar to old Westover Church nearby. This courthouse was the scene of considerable fighting during the Civil War and many of its colonial records were lost.

Endview Plantation
362 Yorktown Road
Newport News,  Virginia  23603
Phone: (757) 887-1862

Built in 1769 by Colonel William Harwood, Jr., signer of the Virginia Resolves, this home has experienced the ordeal of three wars. Endview was visited by Generals George Washington, Thomas Nelson, Jr. and George B. McClellan. The Revolutionary War brought 3,000 militia to its fresh water spring. The War of 1812 saw its use as a training ground, while the Civil War found Endview serving as a Confederate captain's home and a hospital for both sides. Restored to its 1862 appearance, The Civil War at Endview Plantation interprets rural Virginia life. The Civil War at Endview Plantation is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Group rates available. Closed major holidays. Located at Exit 247 from I-64, only minutes from Colonial Williamsburg and all Newport News attractions.

Fort Monroe
CM 20 Bernard Road
Fort Monroe,  Virginia  23651
Phone: (757) 727-3391

Completed in 1834 and named in honor of President James Monroe, Fort Monroe is recognized as the largest stone fort ever built in the United States. Nicknamed "Freedom's Fortress," this Union-held fortification provided a safe haven for hundreds of runaway slaves during the Civil War. It was also the site where the Army of the Potomac landed before beginning the march toward Richmond during the Peninsula Campaign. Today, the installation is the headquarters of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Fort Monroe's history is interpreted for visitors in its Casemate Museum. Walking tours of the fort are available during the summer months. (See Fort Monroe-Casemate Museum and Chamberlin Hotel listings.)

Hampton History Museum
120 Old Hampton Lane
Hampton,  Virginia  23669
Phone: (757) 727-1610

Experience the historical excitement of "four centuries on the bay - from the seas to the starts." From Native Americans and the early colonists, a bustling port, the infamous Blackbeard, "contrabands" and the Civil War, the rise of "Crabtown USA", to modern Hampton. Guided tours provided through ten galleries of permanent and changing exhibits.

Historic Smithfield, Virginia
335 Main Street
Smithfield,  Virginia  23430
Phone: (757) 357-5182
Toll-Free: (800) 365-9339

Nestled along the Pagan River, Smithfield, Virginia is a quaint river-port town rich in Hams, History and Hospitality. Stepping on to Main Street in their Historic District is like stepping into a time long ago and sorely missed. A time when people acknowledged each other by name, when the ice cream parlor or candy store was the center of every child's universe, and a time when people felt safe in leaving their doors unlocked.

Located just across the James River from Virginia's Historic Triangle, Smithfield offers its visitors a variety of antiques and specialty shops, historic attractions and galleries with no admission fees, and a diverse list of dining and lodging opportunities.

Smithfield, Virginia - A quiet place to go hog wild!

HAMS, HISTORY & HOSPITALITY await you in Smithfield!

Isle of Wight Museum
103 Main Street
Smithfield,  Virginia  23430
Phone: (757) 357-7459

Completely refurbished museum which houses the history of the world-famous hams, Indian artifacts, Civil War relics, and fossils from the James River. Sundays: 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Closed Mondays and all Government Holidays.

Presidents Park
211 Water Country Parkway
Williamsburg,  Virginia  23185
Phone: (757) 259-1121
Toll-Free: (800) 588-4327

Presidents Park, the creation of David Adickes, internationally renowned sculptor and painter, is an outdoor museum committed to advancing interest in the presidency, the democratic process, and civic participation among youth and adults alike. The Park features 16-18 foot busts of all 43 Presidents of the United States, placed in a garden setting. Presidents Park has established a Board of Education which develops educational material to meet the Standards of Learning of Virginia and other states, thus enabling teachers to incorporate the presidents into their lessons. All content is informed by reviews from Presidents Park's National Council of Scholars. The park will have a museum building which will house classrooms, meeting/banquet rooms, a gift shop, cafe, and other amenities.

Riddick's Folly House Museum
510 N. Main St.
Suffolk,  Virginia  23434
Phone: (757) 934-1390

Riddick’s Folly House Museum (1837) is registered with the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Civil War Trails program. During the Civil War, this Greek-Revival mansion served as headquarters for the Union and features the preserved graffiti of the Union soldiers. The Museum also hosts changing exhibits throughout the year, a permanent Governor Mills Godwin exhibit and a Suffolk Peanut industry exhibit. Regular children's programs and creative workshops available.

Open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Groups by appointment.

U.S. Army Transportation Museum
Building 300, Besson Hall, Fort Eustis Army Base
Newport News,  Virginia  23604
Phone: (757) 878-1182

More than 200 years of Army transportation history is depicted through models, dioramas, and life-size displays. Outdoor display area contains actual vehicles, aircrafts, trains, and marine craft. The transportation modes featured are land, air, sea, rail, and a few surprises.

Virginia War Museum
9285 Warwick Boulevard
Newport News,  Virginia  23607
Phone: (757) 247-8523

American military history unfolds at the Virginia War Museum. American military history from 1775 to the present is highlighted through weapons, vehicles, uniforms, insignia and much more. See a section of the Berlin Wall and a portion of the outer wall from Dachau Concentration Camp. Galleries include Women at War and Marches Toward Freedom, exploring the roles of women and African-Americans in the military, and Visions of War, the Museum's outstanding propaganda poster collection. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed major holidays. Gift shop. Located at Exit 263A from I-64, only minutes from Colonial Williamsburg and all Newport News attractions.


Sponsored Features