Riverside in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Captain Christopher Newport

(1561 - 1617)

Photographed by Kevin W., May 14, 2016

1. Captain Christopher Newport Marker

Inscription. Captain Christopher Newport (1561 - 1617) was an English seaman and privateer who commanded the expedition responsible for the founding of Jamestown in the Virginia Colony in 1607. He was the Captain of the Susan Constant, the largest of the three ships that included the Godspeed and the Discovery. In 1609, he was Captain of the Sea Venture when a hurricane caused him to be shipwrecked on what is now known as Bermuda, claiming the island for England.

Erected by Christopher Newport University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1607.

Location. 37° 3.662′ N, 76° 29.276′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Riverside. It is at the intersection of Avenue of the Arts and Warwick Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on Avenue of the Arts. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newport News VA 23601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Hampton Roads,

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: Leifr Eiriksson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Estelle and George Abernathy (approx. ¼ mile away); Waters Creek (approx. ¼ mile away); Spanish Bronze Gun (approx. 0.4 miles away);

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a different marker also named Spanish Bronze Gun (approx. 0.4 miles away); Walker’s Green (approx. 0.4 miles away); US Navy Admiralty Pattern Anchor (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Baptist Church Morrison (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Additional commentary.
1.
When donated to the university in 2007, the statue was a source of much controversy because it shows Captain Newport with a right hand. Newport had lost his right hand in a battle against the Spanish during the 1590s and used a prosthetic hook for a right hand - often cited as the inspiration for the fictional pirate "Captain Hook." He had lost that hand long before captaining the Susan Constant on the 1607 Virginia Company voyage to Jamestown that made him famous. According to sculptor Jon Hair when questioned, "We don't show our heroes maimed." There were multiple organized calls within the student body for the statue to be modified for historical accuracy - all of which the school refused to act upon.

— Submitted April 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond,
Photographed by Kevin W., May 14, 2016

2. Captain Christopher Newport Statue and Marker
Virginia.

Captain Christopher Newport Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., May 14, 2016

3. Captain Christopher Newport Statue

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

4. Captain Christopher Newport Statue

Shown in silhouette with the inaccurate right hand prominently resting on his sword hilt.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2016, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,109 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2016, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on April 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.