Mariners' Museum - Newport News, VA

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Mariners' Museum - Newport News, VA

The Mariner's Museum Entrance

The Mariner's Museum in Newport News, VA, is home to 35,000 nautical objects and collections and galleries that chronicle man's relationship with the sea.

The Mariners Museum in Newport News, VA, is home to 35,000 nautical objects and collections and galleries that chronicle man's relationship with the sea. The Museum covers sea exploration, sea warfare, shipbuilding and vessels for business and pleasure. It is heralded by visiting scholars and Congress as a top-notch authority on maritime history and its importance. Here, visitors can view ship models, paintings, figureheads and steam engines as well as an extensive photo collection. The Small Craft Collection features more than 125 vessels from 5 continents, including Dutch, Norwegian, Venetian and Chinese boats. Another highlight of The Mariners' Museum is a display of artifacts recovered from the USS Monitor, a Civil War ironclad that sank off the coast of North Carolina in 1862.

The August F. Crabtree Collection of Miniature Ships is another collection visitors won't want to miss; it displays 16 hand-carved models that recount the evolution of sailing ships. In the Chris-Craft Collection, photographs, records, boat plans and manuals tell the story of the birth of Christopher Columbus Smith's boat building company and its quality craftsmanship of pleasure boats. While browsing the galleries and collections, guests are surprised and delighted by visits from costumed characters, such as an 18^th-century sea captain and a 19^th-century whaler, who share sea stories and nautical knowledge. Visitors can even watch as expert local craftsmen construct boats — both full scale and miniature — by hand, from start to finish.

In addition to its permanent collection, The Mariners' Museum has recently added The USS Monitor Center. This 18,000 square foot exhibit focuses on the epic battle between Civil War giants USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. Through artifacts, multimedia and interior recreations you'll learn more about the marine combat that took place in the Civil War, and the technology that made it possible.  

Details

• Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Daily. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Location: Newport News, VA, is 26 miles from Williamsburg, approximately 37 minutes to drive.
• Discounts for AAA members, military, seniors and children ages 6 — 17. Children 5 and under are free with a paid admission.
• The entire museum is handicap accessible.
• There is a gift shop onsite.
• Photography is allowed.