For history buffs, there’s almost no city more exciting to visit than Norfolk, Virginia. Virtually everywhere you look in this city you’ll see a historical site or world-class museum, making it easy to learn something new. Here are a few of the countless historical locations that you should be sure to visit the next time you find yourself in the Norfolk area.
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Hampton Roads Naval Museum
If you’ve always been fascinated with naval history, then there’s no better place to visit near Norfolk than the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. At this museum, you’ll find a number of exhibits dedicated to the more than 200-year history of the United States Navy, and you can easily spend an entire day touring their collections.
The museum features a number of permanent exhibits that fans of naval history will appreciate. For example, you can examine 18-pound cannons that were once fixtures on the decks of historic military ships, and you can also explore an interesting collection of photographs and paintings.
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Fort Norfolk
Fort Norfolk is another interesting historic site that you should be sure to visit the next time you’re in Norfolk. The fort, authorized by George Washington in 1794 while he was serving as president, has overlooked the Elizabeth River for more than 200 years.
Fort Norfolk was restored in 1991, and if you visit today, you can tour the grounds and get an accurate representation of what the fort looked like when it was still an active military installation. In addition to stone barracks and ramparts, you can check out the earthen embankments that protected the exterior of the fort and the numerous guard towers.
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Hunter House Victorian Museum
If you enjoy exploring historic homes, you’ll want to stop by the Hunter House Victorian Museum. A classic example of the Victorian architecture style that you can find on many historical homes in Norfolk, the Hunter House Victorian Museum is an excellent place to visit if you want to learn more about the heritage and history of this city.
The interior of the museum features a collection of decorations and furnishings that are reflective of the time period in which the house was built. The museum hosts regular tours, as well as frequent educational events that you’re sure to enjoy.
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Chrysler Museum of Art
For art lovers, the Chrysler Museum of Art is by far the top museum in Norfolk. The museum sprawls over 7,000 square feet and includes a collection of more than 30,000 pieces, which means you may need to visit multiple times so that you can see it all!
In addition to breathtaking paintings, the Chrysler Museum of Art also works to support local glassblowers. When you visit, you may be able to see a live glass-blowing exhibition, which is definitely an experience you’ll never forget.
If you’re a fan of history, then you’re absolutely going to want to plan a day to explore Norfolk as soon as you can. The city features a number of historical sites where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and there are a variety of excellent museums you’ll want to visit!
Image via Ron Cogswell | Licensed under CC BY 2.0
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