Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum is located in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA.It lies between the Elizabeth River and downtown Portsmouth, situated in the Hampton Roads area, and is famous for its naval history, shipbuilding exhibits, and maritime artifacts.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum Location Map, Portsmouth, Virginia
Virginia Maps and Info
Top Attractions Inside Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
- Naval History Exhibits – Displays highlighting the shipyard’s 250+ years of maritime heritage.
- Model Ship Collection – Detailed scale models showcasing historic naval vessels and submarines.
- Civil War Naval Artifacts – Items and stories from the shipyard’s role during the Civil War era.
- Shipbuilding Tools & Equipment – Historic tools demonstrating traditional naval construction methods.
- Interactive Maritime Displays – Hands-on exhibits interpreting life and work at the shipyard.
- Portsmouth Lightship Exhibit – Artifacts and information about the city’s historic lightship service.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum Facts
| Official Name | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum |
| Location | Portsmouth, Virginia, USA (Waterfront / Downtown Portsmouth) |
| Latitude & Longitude | 36.8352° N, 76.2983° W |
| Total Area | Not publicly specified (museum building + Lightship Museum + waterfront exhibits) |
| Opened | Originally 1949 (as Shipyard Museum), re‑opened as Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum January 27, 1963 at 2 High Street |
| Founder / Origins | Originally part of Norfolk Naval Shipyard heritage; preserved by the City of Portsmouth and local civic group Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum |
| Managed By | City of Portsmouth (with support from Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum) |
| Region | Coastal Southeastern Virginia / Hampton Roads |
| Address | 2 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704, USA |
| Zip Code | 23704 |
| Area Code | 757 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD, $) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) - UTC−5 Standard / UTC−4 Daylight Saving |
| Theme / Concept | Naval & Maritime History, Shipyard Heritage, U.S. Navy, Lightship History, Regional Waterfront History |
| Sections / Areas | Shipyard Museum Exhibits - Lightship Portsmouth Museum (historic lightship) - Waterfront Exhibit Area - Artifact & Memorabilia Galleries |
| Famous Exhibits / Highlights | Artifacts from 250+ years of shipyard / naval history; Historic lightship Lightship Portsmouth (built 1915); Uniforms, ship models, photographs, naval memorabilia, local maritime history |
| Annual Visitors | Not publicly specified (museum is among historic‐site attractions for Portsmouth residents and visitors) |
| Entry Fee Type | Paid Admission (with occasional free admission) / Donation-based / Included with Lightship Museum |
| Ticket Price Range | Usually modest — museum notes “Admission to the Naval Shipyard Museum is free” per some sources (but donations encouraged) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Ticket Options | Single‑visit Museum Admission (includes Lightship Museum) - Group Visits - Educational & Volunteer Programs via Friends group |
| Best Time to Visit | Spring to Autumn (warmer months, better for waterfront & lightship visit); check museum hours Wednesday–Saturday 10:00–16:00, Sunday 12:00–16:00; closed Monday, Tuesday :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Nearby Airport | Norfolk International Airport (ORF) – 15 miles (about 24 km) from Portsmouth, VA |
| Transportation | Car (Water Street / High Street waterfront access) - Local bus / ferry / public transport (in Hampton Roads) - Walking along waterfront area |
| Official Website | http://www.portsmouthnavalshipyardmuseum.com/ |
Distances from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum to Nearby Landmarks
- Strawbery Banke Museum – 1.2 km (0.7 mi)
- Market Square – 1.0 km (0.6 mi)
- Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse – 3.2 km (2 mi)
- USS Albacore Museum – 6.5 km (4 mi)
- Prescott Park – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
- Wentworth by the Sea Hotel – 2.8 km (1.7 mi)
- Exeter River – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Pease International Tradeport – 3.5 km (2.2 mi)
- Odiorne Point State Park – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- New Castle Historic District – 5 km (3.1 mi)
Top Places to Visit in Virginia
Explore the most popular tourist places in Virginia. The list below includes famous national parks, historic sites, and scenic attractions across the state, along with map locations.
Explore the complete list of places to visit in the United States, including national parks, cities, landmarks, and famous attractions.