For more events and activities happening in Portsmouth please visit PortsVaEvents.com
COME SEA HISTORY!
Celebrate Memorial Day learning over 250 years of Portsmouth and naval history. Join in on Civil War era Revenue Cutter Service and U.S. Navy Demonstrations. Also between 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm, meet lightship sailors with the Tidewater Maritime Living History Association.
Program included with Museum Admission
1812: FREE TRADE & SAILORS' RIGHTS!
Join us as we celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and learn about the important role of Portsmouth during America's "Second War of Independence." Enjoy living history demonstrations, hands-on activities and exhibits exploring the conflict in depth.
As with all our First Saturday events, admission and activities at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum will be FREE and open to the public.
War of 1812 on Display
In commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812 we'll host a special temporary display of artifacts from the “second war for independence.” Most of the artifacts to be displayed belonged to U.S. Navy Commodore Charles Morris (1784-1856), one of the many American naval heroes commanding on the seas during the war. In 1812 Morris was executive officer on the USS Constitution during the battle with the HMS Guerriere, during which he was severely wounded. Later in 1814 Morris commanded the USS Adams in raiding expeditions against British commerce, while the war was still raging. Artifacts on display will include a portrait of Morris, his U.S. Navy belt buckle, sword and letter he wrote to his daughter in the postwar years.
The Morris collection and additional War of 1812 related artifacts will be on display June 9 through August 11, 2012 in the museum’s Buildingways of Democracy exhibit, a portion of which discusses the wartime Battle of Craney Island in 1813.
Also, in coordination with the Naval History & Heritage Command the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum will host the travelling mini-exhibit, War of 1812: A Nation Forged by War throughout the weekend of June 9-10, 2012. This display, comprised of six interactive historical banners, commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812.
The exhibits will open in coordination with the celebration of OpSail 2012 Virginia™. In addition to the exhibits, visitors can come and enjoy all types of fun activities as the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the Lightship Portsmouth Museum on Saturday, June 9th. Throughout the day, the museum and ship will host hands-on War of 1812 themed activities (inside), including shako making and Congreve rocket construction. Also, From 12:00-6:00 p.m. enjoy living history with the crew of the Chesapeake’s Revenge at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, as they demonstrate the art of boatbuilding, and discuss the actual historical efforts to build the Chesapeake’s Revenge during the War of 1812 period. And don’t forget to jump aboard the Lightship Portsmouth bounce house, which will be setup in front of the historic Lightship, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The displays and programming activities are included in the museum's regular admission price.
PATRIOT'S DAY
As a part of our First Weekend Series, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth will be celebrating their fourth annual Patriot's Day on Saturday, July 7th, 2011. From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, step back in time! Enjoy craft demonstrations, musical performances, games, military drill, food and fun! This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum in collaboration with the Portsmouth Museums.
As with all our First Saturday events, admission and activities at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum will be FREE and open to the public.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COAST GUARD!
In conjunction with the City's Coast Guard celebration, join us for our August First Weekend Event, and celebrate 222nd Birthday of the Coast Guard! On August 4, 1790 the Revenue Cutter Service, the precursor to the United States Coast Guard, was established. Listen to maritime folk music, tour a U.S.C.G. Cutter, and enjoy other activities celebrating the Coast Guard's rich history and Portsmouth's designation as a Coast Guard City!
As with all our First Saturday events, admission and activities at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum will be FREE and open to the public.
FRIENDS LECTURE SERIES:
Keith & Pam Atkins, Portsmouth in Postcards
Join us for a presentation by Portsmouth's own local authors Keith and Pam Atkins as they discuss their postcard history series book Portsmouth. With picture postcards spanning over a century of Portsmouth history, Mr. and Mrs. Atkins will review the history of postcards and the purpose they served in everyday life. They will also present a display of selected paper collectibles related to the history of the city, such as paper money, legal documents, photographs, trade cards and more. Also, meet the authors after the lecture as they sign copies of the book - available for purchase in our Museum Shoppe.
This program is FREE and open to the public.
PORTSMOUTH: THEN & NOW Portsmouth
Join us for our September First Weekend event, and discover what life was like in Portsmouth in the past and how it changed over time! Learn about the buildings on High Street, the changing technology of the Shipyard, and discover hands-on activities with real artifacts from Portsmouth's Past. Read about a young girl who lived in Portsmouth in the nineteenth century and learn how her life differed from children today. Also, at the Lightship Portsmouth, prepare for hurricane season with a variety of weather related activities!
Everyone can learn about this city's rich past and have fun with it at the same time!
As with all our First Saturday events, admission and activities at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum will be FREE and open to the public.
DIG INTO HISTORY: Celebrating Virginia Archaeology Month
Join us for our October First Weekend Event. Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, come celebrate Virginia Archaeology Month with us by enjoying hands-on archaeological activities. Learn about artifacts, play the seriation game, and experience a simulated archeological dig—sifting the soil for treasure! Then make your way over to the Lightship Portsmouth, and step on board to delve into the exciting field marine archaeology!
As with all our First Saturday events, admission and activities at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum will be FREE and open to the public.
MUSEUM MADNESS: Calling all Ghosts, Goblins, Princesses & Superheroes!
Put on your costume and come to the four Portsmouth Museums for a haunting day of Halloween fun! Enjoy magic shows, a variety of crafts, pumpkin decorating, storytelling, and face painting. In addition, the Lightship Portsmouth is transformed into a haunted vessel for Museum Madness, where visitors can meet the ghosts of sailors & pirates past! For more information on Museum Madness, contact Katie Barnes at (757) 393-8591.
Be sure to stay for the Annual Safe Trick-or-Treat in Olde Towne Portsmouth October 29, 2011, Saturday, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. This event is held exclusively for all children up to age 12, on the Saturday before Halloween. For information on the Olde Towne Business Association's Safe Trick or Treat, contact (757) 405-3500.
Program included with Museum Admission
PORTSMOUTH'S FIRST PEOPLE
Join us for our November First Weekend Event. Discover what life along the river was like for the first citizens of Portsmouth, the Chesapeake Indians. At the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, see real artifacts and learn about the daily use of tools of the Chesapeakes as you try your hand using their tools. In the museum's Discovery Cove, make your own pinch pots and turtle shell cups. At the Lightship Portsmouth learn the skill of boat building and make your own model canoe. Throughout the day learn and play Native American games!
As with all our First Saturday events, admission and activities at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum will be FREE and open to the public.
FRIENDS LECTURE SERIES:
Diane Bakaysa, Freedom from Bondage
Sponsored by the Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, join us for the presentation "Freedom from Bondage" by historian and quilter Diane Bakaysa. Using reproductions of Civil War era quilts she handmade, Ms. Bakaysa discusses the spiritual bondage of American slavery. She will also talk about the history of physical bondage, culminating with the role of quilts & how they were used to aid slaves in their quest for freedom through the Underground Railroad.
This program is FREE and open to the public.
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Celebrate Veterans Day at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth. Write a letter to a veteran, and learn the history behind this important holiday. Inside the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, step into a recreation of a 1943 U.S. Naval Recruiting Station. Go through the recruitment process as it was in 1943, and enjoy hands-on displays featuring real World War II artifacts, accurate reproduction gear and equipment in this highly interactive, living history demonstration.
Program included with Museum Admission
NAUTICAL HOLIDAYS
Celebrate the holiday season, and make your own nautical themed holiday ornaments while learning about holiday traditions throughout history! Also, be sure to stop by the Museum Shoppe to find that special, unique holiday gift.
Program included with Museum Admission
HISTORY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Celebrate the holiday season, and make your own nautical themed ornaments and other crafts. Learn about holiday traditions throughout history, and enjoy traditional carols in conjunction with the Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival! Also, be sure to stop by the Museum Shoppe to find that special, unique holiday gift.
Program included with Museum Admission
