Visit our galleries featuring almost three centuries of Portsmouth history. Participate in Shipyard STEM activities at our craft table including designing your own miniature boat hull out of tinfoil and testing how well it floats, and designing a crane from K’Nex blocks. Meet the reenactors from the Tidewater Maritime Living History Association outside presenting their “U.S. Navy through Time” interpretation, and learn Naval history and traditions at different points in U.S. History.

Visit the original building that served as Portsmouth’s African American library from 1945 until 1963. Learn about the library’s history and the Black community in Portsmouth in the mid-20th century. Make a bookmark as a souvenir. Meet The Colonials’ historic characters James Armistead Lafayette from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and Billy Flora from 12:30 to 2:30 pm.

Meet The Colonials’ historical characters portraying Captain and Mrs. Crawford from 10 am to noon. Enjoy live music from 11 am to 1 pm. Local artist Nancy Clemons will have a make-n-take activity from 10 am to 3 pm. The Red Mill Model Airplane Club will set up a display of model airplanes to correspond with the Tuskegee Airmen exhibit from 10 am 3 pm. Susan Check will demonstrate oil painting techniques from 10 am 3 pm.

Admission is $5 per person. All tickets must be reserved in advanced by purchasing online at ChildrensMuseumVirginia.com. Activities in the Middle Street Mall include creative building with KEVA blocks and photo
ops with the mural art in the mall area. Also, enjoy The Colonials’ historical characters portraying Catherine Sproule/Jane Barron and the Colonial Kids 1 1am to 1 pm and Anne Bonny/Abigail Connor and the Colonial Kids noon to 2 pm singing and playing games.

Tour Portsmouth’s only historic home museum and then visit the garden to meet the Fort Norfolk & Frigate Constellation reenactors from 10 am 3 pm. Sailors from the USS Constellation and soldiers from Fort Norfolk discuss the Battle of Craney Island and the role Portsmouth and its militia played in the War of 1812. Learn about the sailors’ tools, food, drink, weapons, and personal items.

Tour the Chevra T’helim Synagogue from 10 am to 3 pm. This rare surviving example of Eastern European Jewish Orthodoxy houses artifacts and exhibits that reflect the history of the Hampton Roads Jewish Community. Meet the Colonials’ historical character portraying Rabbi Altschul from 1 1am to 2 pm.

Mini-walking tours with Mary Veale and the Colonials feature tales from Portsmouth’s past, sea chanties, and colonial tunes. Meet historical characters portraying Commodore Barron from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; and Andrew Sprowle and Mary Veale from 10:30 am 2:30 pm. Mini-walking tours will leave approximately every 15 minutes and go from the Welcome Center to the Lightship.

Relax and enjoy a local Plein-Air artist and cellist from 10 am to 3 pm.