The History of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

The museum was established in 1949 on the actual Norfolk Naval Shipyard property, but was later moved in 1963 to Riverfront Park on the Portsmouth waterfront in order to make it more accessible to the steadily growing number of tourists that were visiting it each year.

Since the museum first opened, visitors have been able to see old photographs, newspaper articles, ship models, uniforms, flags, arms and maritime artifacts of every stripe as they relate to the shipyard. Exhibits within the museum cover more than 250 years of naval history, and they have increased in size and scope as the museum's popularity has grown.

The Lightship Portsmouth was built in 1915 and served as a fully active naval vessel off the coasts of Delaware, Massachusetts and Virginia for more than 48 years before being de-commissioned in 1964. In 1989, the Lightship was designated a National Historical Landmark and subsequently became a museum itself in conjunction with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum.

The gift shop has proven to be a valuable museum addition over the last several decades. Visitors have been able to purchase souvenirs and memorabilia such as jewelry, dolls, puzzles, maps, books and various historic Portsmouth-related prints.

The museum is closed on Mondays, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, but remains open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the museum has a tradition of giving discounts to visitors with active military IDs.