Museums and Visitor Centers

Museums

The Casemate Museum
On Fort Monroe, Hampton
757-727-3391
    Still active, this fortress has guarded the approaches to the vital Hampton Roads since 1823. Jumping off place for the Peninsula Campaign. The museum on the U.S. Army post offers good interpretation of the fort and preserves the area where Confederate ex-President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned after the war. Open daily 10:30 am–4:30 pm.

Hampton History Museum
120 Old Hampton Lane
757-727-1610
    New museum covers 400 years of Hampton history and includes inventive galleries on the Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Topics in the Civil War gallery include the Battle of Big Bethel, the Burning of Hampton and the effort of Union Gen. Ben Butler to declare escaped slaves "contraband." Monday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm. $5 adult admission.

The USS Monitor Center / Mariners' Museum
100 Museum Drive, Newport News
800-581-7245, www.monitorcenter.org
   The new $30-million Monitor Center, now a major part of the well-established Mariners' Museum, offers a comprehensive look at the famous ironclad USS Monitor and its famous battle with the CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimack) at Hampton Roads March 9, 1862. The Center, using both traditional and state-of-the-art audio-visual experiences, takes visitors through the process of creating the Monitor, through the dramatic "Battle of the Ironclads" and finally the recovery of the Monitor wreck off Cape Hatteras, NC.
    Highlights include the "Battle Theater" that puts visitors in the middle of the ironclad battle and parts of the actual Monitor, including the famous turret, which is undergoing conservation. Admission price for the Center includes the rest of the fine museum, which covers 3,000 years of maritime history. Open Monday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm and Sunday noon–5 pm. $12.50 adults.

Virginia War Museum
9285 Warwick Blvd, Newport News
757-247-8523
   More than 50,000 displayed artifacts document America's wars from 1775 to the present. Features Civil War weapons, flags and accouterments. Inquire here about living history programs and tours of the Newport News Civil War sites. Open Monday–Saturday 9 am–5 pm; Sunday 1–5 pm. $6 adults.

Lee Hall
163 Yorktown Road, Newport News
757-888-3371
    Restored antebellum mansion that served as Confederate headquarters during part of the 1862 Peninsula Campaign now serves as a visitor center for that phase of the war. Restored rooms reflect both military and civilian life. The English basement offers exhibits and other material related to the commanders and the fighting on the Peninsula. Civil War Trails interpretation near a fortification on the property. Open January–March on Monday, Thursday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm; Sunday 1–5 pm. Open April–December on Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, Sunday 1–5 pm. $6 adults.

Endview Plantation
362 Yorktown Road, Newport News
757-887-1862
    A much earlier and more modest structure than its sister, Lee Hall just down the road, Endview was used during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Tours of the building and grounds and frequent living history programs are highlighted at this site. Open January–March: Monday, Thursday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm; Sunday 1–5 pm. Open April–December: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 10 am–4 pm; Sunday 1–5 pm. $6 for adults.

James A. Fields House
617 27th St, Newport News
757-245-1991
    Civil War Trails sign located in front of the house owned by Fields, who was born a slave and escaped to Union lines in 1862 as a "contraband of war." He later became a lawyer and served as justice of the peace and as local representative to the Virginia House of Delegates. Home open Tuesday–Saturday. Fee charged.

Civil War Cruises (from Hampton)
    The Miss Hampton II offers daily boat tours (twice a day during the summer) of Hampton Roads including Civil War history and a stop at Fort Wool. Call 888-757-BOAT.
    Venture Inn Charters offers a "Civil War at Sea" tour. Call 800-320-2055.

Hampton Roads Naval Museum
In Nauticus on the downtown waterfront
757-322-2987, www.hrnm.navy.mil
    Well-done naval history museum shares building with Nauticus. Much good material on the battle of the ironclads and other Civil War action. Open daily. Free to visit this museum. (There is a charge for Nauticus but you do not have to pay if you only want the Naval Museum.) 10 am–5 pm Tuesday–Saturday; noon–5 pm Sunday; open Mondays during summer.

Riddick's Folly
Near the intersection of Routes 10 and 460, Suffolk
757-934-1390
    This historic house, built in 1837, served as Union headquarters. The top floor interprets its Civil War use. Soldier graffiti. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Open 10 am–5 pm Wednesday–Friday; 10 am–4 pm Saturday; 1–5 pm Sunday. Donation requested. Civil War Trails sign.

Visitor Centers

Portsmouth Visitor Center
6 Crawford Parkway
800-PORTSVA
    Civil War information and walking tours of the historic areas. Water and trolley tours are available in season.

Norfolk Visitor Centers are located downtown and at Willoughby Spit. 800-368-3097.

Hampton Visitor Center
    Located in the Hampton History Museum, 120 Old Hampton Lane (I-64 exit 267). 800-800-2202 or www.visithampton.com.

Newport News Visitor Center
13560 Jefferson Ave (I-64 exit 250B)
888-493-7386
    This location is a stone's throw from some of the Peninsula's most important Civil War sites. Get maps to area Civil War sites and more.

Suffolk Visitor Center
At the Historic Prentis House (c. 1800)
321 N Main St (off Business Route 58)
757-923-3880 or 866-SEE-SUFK
    One of the oldest standing homes in Suffolk and within walking distance of two official Virginia Civil War Trail sites.

Williamsburg Visitor Center
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
800-447-8679

Yorktown National Park visitor center
757-898-3400
   Although emphasis is on the Revolutionary War, plenty of Civil War information also is available here. Open daily 9 am–5 pm daily. Expanded hours during the summer. $4 adults.