Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Virginia Ship Repair Association

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

1. Virginia Ship Repair Association Marker

Inscription. In 1981 the Tidewater Maritime Training Institute (TMTI) was officially established in Portsmouth, VA to support the training of commercial ship repairers to perform maintenance and modernization of the naval fleet in Hampton Roads. In 1984 the South Tidewater Association of Ship Repairers (STASR) was established, expanding its role in supporting and developing the ship repair industry. In 2005 these organizations were renamed the Virginia Ship Repair Association and Foundation to accurately represent their mission of being the strength behind the fleet.
Founding Members:
Thomas Ackiss
William Craft
Richard Goldback
W.K. Johnson
Phillip Moberg
Stanley Peck
Robert S. Walker Sr.
Gary Bowers
Charles H. Eure
George Hathaway
William D. Kee Jr.
Don Newsome
William E. Thomas Sr.
Leo Marshall
This plaque is dedicated to Ronald K. Ritter for his selfless dedication to naval fleet readiness by the private ship repair industry.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1981.

Location. 36° 50.303′ N, 76° 17.815′ W.

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Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It can be reached from Water Street 0.1 miles east of Bill Deal Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spanish-American War 1898-1902 (about 300 feet away); Lafayette's Tour (about 300 feet away); Shopmates Memorial (about 300 feet away); Francis Grice 1789 - 1865

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 22, 2015

2. Virginia Ship Repair Association Marker

(about 400 feet away); The Coast Guard (about 500 feet away); U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth (about 500 feet away); Lightship Portsmouth (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Also see . . . Virginia Ship Repair Association. (Submitted on December 29, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

3. Virginia Ship Repair Association Marker

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 22, 2015

4. Virginia Ship Repair Association Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 311 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 9, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 29, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on April 9, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 4. submitted on December 29, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.