About Portsmouth
Portsmouth- Virginia’s Historic Seaport®, is a pedestrian history lover’s dream! A Coastal Virginia treasure, filled with museums, walking tours, public art, an assortment of quirky shops and eclectic, locally-owned restaurants, all located within a few blocks. Portsmouth’s Olde Towne District boasts one of the largest collections of standing period architecture on the Eastern Seaboard. Its naturally deep harbor gives rise to a maritime community steeped in over 300 years of American history.
Upcoming Events
Learn
Contributions to America
Historic Olde Towne
Portsmouth Timeline
Discover
Maritime History
Black History
Historic Buildings
Religious History
Portsmouth Heroes
Explore
Path of History
Informative placards around town to guide you through more than 250 years of American history.
History Alive
Characters from Portsmouth’s history brought to life & available for tours and appearances.
Lafayette Returns: 2024
Enjoy tours, appearances, events, lectures and more. Â Download the events brochure now.
PVA 250 Committee
This committee was formed to commemorate Portsmouth’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Portsmouth VA250 Committee aims to achieve this by planning, educating, and coordinating the commemoration and lead up events with our citizens, regional, state, and federal partners through the celebration of America’s 250th birthday in Portsmouth, VA
The Virginia legislation signed off on forming a committee to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States. The Newly formed Virginia American Revolution 250 (VA250) Committee plans to achieve this by educating Virginians and its visitors about their history and sharing untold stories and their role in shaping the nation.
The VA250 commission asked each locality to form a committee to assist in the efforts of educating and sharing their stories to the world. Portsmouth passed their resolution to form a committee on February 28th, 2023. Immediately after, the city began its search for members and they held their first meeting by August of that year. You can find this resolution but clicking the link below.
Audrey Lassiter: Secretary
Olde Towne Business Association
otba1400@gmail.com
Karen Washburn: Chair
History Alive
karenwashburn@historyalive.info
Keith Toler: Co-Chair
Assist. Dir, Ports. Museums & Tourism
Tolerk@portsmouthva.gov
James McCann: VA250 Liaison
Tourism Mgr.- Ports. Museum & Tourism
mccannj@portsmouthva.gov
Billie Cook
African American Historical Society
billiecook130@gmail.com
Chessie Bray
Norfolk Naval Shipyard –
Public Affairs Officer
chessie.d.bray.civ@us.navy.mil
Dan Schmit
The Hill House Museum
info@thehillhousemuseum.org
Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander
History Professor, Norfolk State University
clnewby-alexander@nsu.edu
Dr. Michael Hogan
History Cur. Ports. Museums & Tourism
Hoganm@portsmouthva.gov
Jared Bobzien
Site Director, NSA Hampton Roads
Portsmouth Annex
jared.r.bobzien.civ@us.navy.mil
Jacqueline Johnson
Assist. Dir, Ports. Parks & Recreation
jacqueline.johnson@portsmouthva.gov
Councilman. Mark Hugel
City of Portsmouth
hugelm@portsmouthva.gov
Pam Mckittrick
Daughters of the American Revolution
ljmck1@cox.net
Thomas Sasso
Virginia Youth Regiment
Portsmouth Fire Dept.
sassot@portsmouthva.gov
Wendy Mathias
Daughters of the American Revolution
mathwendy27@gmail.com
Rycy Godette
City of Portsmouth Public Schools
rycy.godette@portsk12.com
Other 250th Resources
America 250
Virginia 250
Navy/ Marine 250
