Museums
The City of Portsmouth owns and operates five museums, with an additional four privately owned museums. Together, they provide insight into what makes Portsmouth such a vibrant and diverse city by showcasing its history, heritage, and culture.
Children’s Museum of Virginia
2 full floors of interactive exhibits to explore, all in the name of fun!
Treat your kids to the Children’s Museum of Virginia, the largest “museum” of its kind in the state. Kids have a blast playing, exploring and engaging, and learning and growing come with the territory. Admission includes all daily shows at the museum’s high-tech Beazley Planetarium.
Portsmouth Art &
Cultural Center
Get to the art of the matter – art exhibits, workshops & performances.
Built in 1846, this beautiful Greek revival building served as the county courthouse until 1960. It’s now a community treasure of another kind, featuring two spacious galleries of ever-changing art exhibits and hosting workshops, classes, artist interactions, live music in the courtyard & more.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
The shipyard that helped launch the U.S. Navy – exhibits & artifacts
Portsmouth’s strategic port and shipyard helped our young country emerge as a naval power and made the city a focus at key points in U.S. history. Learn about Portsmouth’s shipbuilding and maritime heritage, along with a Hampton Roads perspective on U.S. military history.
Lightship Portsmouth
A floating lighthouse turned museum & National Historic Landmark.
There aren’t many lightships left, but these unique vessels once served offshore near the coastlines to orient and warn passing vessels. Take a tour of the Lightship Portsmouth, now outfitted as it looked in 1955 when it housed an 11-man crew for months at a time!
Portsmouth Colored Community Library
Telling the story – and part of the story – of African American history.
In December 1945, the tiny 900-square-foot Portsmouth Community Library opened on South Street as a resource for the African American community. The brainchild of the African American Society, this library was unique and important in many ways. After several moves, it now showcases historic exhibits in addition to being historic in itself.
Private Museums
Portsmouth Police Museum
This museum explores honorees, vintage uniforms and equipment, and photos throughout Portsmouth’s law enforcement history.
Hill House Museum
A historic home in Olde Towne, fully furnished with generations of family belongings from the 19th and 20th centuries, all left in their original places.
Jewish Museum & Cultural Center
This rare example of Eastern European Jewish Orthodoxy is where visitors can learn about Jewish culture and view artifacts and exhibits.
Railroad Museum of Virginia
A steam locomotive discovered in Roanoke, and renovated to become an museum. It’s currently closed but can be seen on the Path of History tour.
Children’s Museum
Gift Shop
Take the excitement of learning home with a selection of toys, kits, and books.
Bring Home More Than a Memory
At the Portsmouth Welcome Center you can Shop local artistry – handmade jewelry, unique apparel, and more!
Explore more culture in
Arts & Entertainment
