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

Naval Shipyard Museum

Formally Norfolk County Ferries Maintenance Building

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

1. Naval Shipyard Museum Marker

Inscription. Constructed in 1919, this building was used as a maintenance building for the Norfolk County ferries. From 1636 to 1955 the ferries provided service for passengers and their various modes of transportation across the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth. The ferries were discontinued in 1955, but were re-established in 1983 for passenger transportation only. The building has been home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum since 1963, when the original museum was moved from inside the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The museum researches, preserves and promotes the history of the City of Portsmouth, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the armed forces in Hampton Roads.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 36° 50.144′ N, 76° 17.81′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on Water Street north of High Street, on the right when traveling north. 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

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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: Revolutionary War at Portsmouth (a few steps from this marker); Cornwallis' Embarkation (a few steps from this marker); John Luke Porter (within shouting distance of this marker); Seaboard Air Line Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Site of William Crawford (d. 1762) Founder of Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 4 Pounder Cannon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gosport Shipyard (about 300 feet away).

Naval Shipyard Museum and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

2. Naval Shipyard Museum and Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

3. Naval Shipyard Museum Marker

Naval Shipyard Museum Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025

4. Naval Shipyard Museum Mural

The museum is further marked by a Sam Welty Mural painted on the entire side of the building in the 2010s depicting the shipyard's activities and landmarks. It is from a series of large-scale historic murals painted on buildings around Portsmouth.

Blue Star Memorial Highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

5. Blue Star Memorial Highway

The Marker and Museum are also located along Portsmouth's Blue Star Memorial Highway.

Naval Shipyard Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 9, 2026

6. Naval Shipyard Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,151 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 9, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 4. submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on April 9, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.