Norfolk Tour Company

03/12/2024

Virginia History: December 2, 1823

President James Monroe of Virginia delivers a message to the U.S. Congress outlining a new foreign policy initiative, the Monroe Doctrine. The doctrine stated that the United States would not interfere in European affairs and that it expected European powers to cease efforts at colonizing the Western Hemisphere.

01/12/2024

Dr. John Miller-Masury House, also known as Lakeside (1906–1935),
Crystal Club (1935–1939), and
Greystone Manor (1942-present),
is a historic home located at Virginia Beach, Virginia.

It was built in 1906–1908, and is a 2+1⁄2-story, five-bay, L-shaped stone-and-slate dwelling. It is covered by two hipped roofs with dormers, which intersect at a three-story castellated tower.

It has a one-story, deep, wraparound porch. From 1936 to 1939, the building housed the Crystal Club, a gambling casino and nightclub.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._John_Miller-Masury_House

29/11/2024

🌟 FREE Ghent Church Walking Tour! 🌟

🗓 Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 520 Graydon Ave, Norfolk, VA

Explore the historic and stunning churches of Ghent—one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in Hampton Roads! 🏛️✨

Join the Ghent Business Association and Norfolk Tour Company for a special holiday walking tour showcasing these architectural gems.

We'll start at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, then stroll to First Presbyterian, Ghent United Methodist, and Christ & St. Luke's. 🚶‍♂️🏛️

🔑 What to Expect:

A deep dive into the stunning interior sanctuaries
Insights into the unique architecture of each church
A chance to explore the charming, walkable Ghent neighborhood

🚗 Parking: Street parking is available near Sacred Heart.

🎉 FREE to attend! Thanks to the Ghent District Foundation’s generous support.
🚶‍♀️ No registration needed—just show up and enjoy the tour!

Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience Norfolk's rich history and holiday charm! ✨



More details to come!

28/11/2024

The First Thanksgiving Took Place in Virginia, not Massachusetts!

On September 16, 1619, the Margaret set sail from Bristol, England, bound for the New World. This 35-foot ship carried 35 settlers, a crew, five "captain's assistants," a pilot, and Woodlief, a seasoned survivor of the harsh Jamestown "Starving Time" of 1609-1610.

The ship's mission was to establish a settlement on 8,000 acres of land granted by the London-based Berkeley Company along the James River. The settlers were contracted to work the land, build homes and infrastructure, and share their harvests and profits with the company.

After a rough two-and-a-half months on the Atlantic, the ship entered the Chesapeake Bay on November 28, 1619. It took another week to navigate the stormy bay, but they arrived at their destination, Berkeley Hundred, later called Berkeley Plantation, on December 4. They disembarked and prayed.

Historians think there was nothing but old ship rations to eat, so the settlers may have concocted a meal of oysters and ham out of necessity rather than celebration.

At the behest of written orders given by the Berkeley Company to Captain Woodlief, it was declared that their arrival must “be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God.” And that’s exactly what they did–for two years.

24/11/2024

The Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation (HRPE) was the Army command structure and distribution port in Hampton Roads, Virginia. It was originally the Newport News Port of Embarkation when it was activated for World War I, and it was reactivated as the HRPE on 15 June 1942, in the wake of Pearl Harbor and the US’ entrance in World War II.

The main purpose of the Port was supporting the movement of personnel and cargo overseas, particularly to the European Theater of Operations (ETO). HRPE was the third largest US Army Transportation Corps port of embarkation during WWII. It served as a hub for the movements of millions of troops between 1942-1946.

https://www.marinersmuseum.org/2020/11/hampton-roads-during-wwii/

13/11/2024

The Keeling House, in Princess Anne County, was built by Thomas Keeling about 1735.

Dendrochronology undertaken by the Oxford Tree-Ring Laboratory revealed that house was constructed of timbers felled in 1734–1735, pointing to a construction date of circa 1735. It is among the oldest surviving houses in Virginia Beach. Situated on Adam Keeling Road in Great Neck Point on the Lynnhaven River, The Keeling House is known for decorative glazed headers and a center hall design, which is common in Tidewater Virginia British colonial architecture.

When built, the house was in rural Princess Anne County, but today the house sits in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. The house is privately owned, though it can be seen from the street. It is the oldest continuously occupied house in Virginia. A cemetery of family graves is north of the intersection of Adam Keeling Road and Lynn Cove Lane.

Virginia photograph collection from the Virginia Room Exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Keeling_House

06/11/2024

Owen B. Pickett United States Custom House

1850: The U.S. Congress authorizes funds for the construction of anew U.S. Custom House in Norfolk.
1852: The site is purchased and construction begins under the direction of Supervising Architect Ammi B. Young.
1858: Construction of the U.S. Custom House is completed.
1861-1862: The U.S. Custom House is occupied by the Confederate States of America.
1901-1912: Alterations are made under the direction of James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect of the Treasury.
1935: An addition to the rear of the building is designed under the administration of Supervising Architect James A. Wetmore.
1970: The U.S. Custom House is listed in National Register of Historic Places.
1996-1999: The building undergoes rehabilitation and restoration.
2001: The building receives a Norfolk Design Award and is renamed in honor of U.S. Representative Owen B. Pickett of Virginia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_B._Pickett_United_States_Custom_House

30/10/2024

Creator : Mann, Harry C., 1866-1926
Title : Lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal
Date : no date
Extent : 1 glass plate negative
Extent : 5 x 7 in.
Description : Canal lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal. Presumed to be Deep Creek Lock in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Source : Library of Virginia, Manuscripts and Special Collections, Visual Studies Collection, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219-8000 USA.

25/10/2024

Boo!

Oh, hi! You can find me minding my business while the rest of you dive head first into Spooky Season. 👻

When I do get in the mood for a little fright, I check out Norfolk Tour Company. They are currently offering their haunted tours every Friday and Saturday this month. Learn a little history, enjoy a bit of fear, and have a whole lot of fun!

13/10/2024

Oct 18-19 Haunted Norfolk Tours in 🎃 OCTOBER 🎃*

All tours begin at 8 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m.

🎃Friday, Oct. 18
Saturday, Oct. 19
🎃Friday, Oct. 25
Saturday, Oct. 26

The Haunted Norfolk Tour will walk you through some of Downtown's otherworldly-histories; from ghost stories and real life tragedies, to experiments from another dimension. We’ll crawl the depths of Norfolk and explore all the spooky charm it has to offer. Join us, if you dare.

🎫Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance.

👉🏽The tour will begin in front of the Moses Myers House; parking is available in MacArthur Center garages.

👻The themes of this tour are of an adult nature. Murder, su***de, death, and ghosts will be discused. It is at the parents' discretion as to whether their child is mature enough for this content.

🎟The ticket link will display a landing page with a calendar where you can choose the specific tour date.

Click on link: https://shorturl.at/Pd0im

09/10/2024

Haunted Norfolk Tours in 🎃 OCTOBER 🎃*

All tours begin at 8 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m.

🎃Friday, Oct. 11
Saturday, Oct. 12
🎃Friday, Oct. 18
Saturday, Oct. 19
🎃Friday, Oct. 25
Saturday, Oct. 26

The Haunted Norfolk Tour will walk you through some of Downtown's otherworldly-histories; from ghost stories and real life tragedies, to experiments from another dimension. We’ll crawl the depths of Norfolk and explore all the spooky charm it has to offer. Join us, if you dare.

🎫Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance.

👉🏽The tour will begin in front of the Moses Myers House; parking is available in MacArthur Center garages.

👻The themes of this tour are of an adult nature. Murder, su***de, death, and ghosts will be discused. It is at the parents' discretion as to whether their child is mature enough for this content.

🎟The ticket link will display a landing page with a calendar where you can choose the specific tour date.

Click on link: https://shorturl.at/Pd0im

06/10/2024

WWII Plane to Fly to NC with supplies for those Hit by Hurricane Helene 🙌🏻🇺🇸❤️

The vintage plane that will carry the supplies is a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, flown by The Liberty Foundation, a nonprofit flying museum in Douglas, Georgia.

C-47s dropped American paratroopers behind enemy lines to begin the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and also played a vital role in resupplying Allied forces during their advance across Europe. The large spacious cabin and low loading door made the C-47s well-suited to being loaded by hand under combat conditions.

Now they’re bringing hope

During its Warbirds Over the Beach air show this weekend, Oct. 5 and 6, The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach will host a supply drive to help areas of North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Helene. After the show, the Liberty Foundation's C-47 will fly the supplies to Western North Carolin...

02/10/2024

📅October 5, 2024 2pm

Lochhaven Resilience Walking Tour

Join Norfolk Tour Company for a FREE tour of the Elizabeth River Trail, which will explore the historic Lochhaven neighborhood! Your tour guide will share the history of the area, the future of the ERT, exciting new developments and inside look at the trail.

📌Meet at Second Presbyterian Church parking lot!
7305 Hampton Blvd, NFK

The walk will last around one hour. No registration required!

02/10/2024

NORFOLK’S 1824 LAFAYETTE ARRIVAL CEREMONY

Tuesday, October 22, 4:30 pm

Event by Norfolk's Lafayette Bicentennial and The American Friends of Lafayette

Address: Fountain Park, 333 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510

Duration: 30 min

Open to the public.

NORFOLK’S 1824 LAFAYETTE ARRIVAL CEREMONY

Tuesday, October 22, 4:30 pm

Event by Norfolk's Lafayette Bicentennial and The American Friends of Lafayette

Address: Fountain Park, 333 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510

Duration: 30 min

Open to the public.

Nearby (paid) parking is available at the City of Norfolk parking lot on Atlantic St. (immediately behind the Norfolk Waterside Marriott), a short walk to the schooner’s berth, for the follow-on Sunset schooner Cruise for registered guests.

Step back in time to October 22, 1824, and join the 1824 Mayor of Norfolk, the Honorable John Holt, to greet General Lafayette as he steps ashore in Norfolk. This ceremony marks the exact bicentennial (to the hour) when General Lafayette approached Norfolk onboard the steamboat Petersburg after a five-hour trip down the James River from Jamestown. The outdoor ceremony will be held about 200 yards from the original ferry landing and within a 1 to 2 minute walking distance from where the three-masted schooner, the American Rover, is berthed. The brief arrival program will include the Black American double agent, James Fayette; a young woman from 1824 who will recite one of the original poems presented to Lafayette in 1824; and French military representation.

02/10/2024

Virginia Beach Historic Sites.

Which ones are missing and should be added?

01/10/2024

*There are EIGHT Haunted Norfolk Tours in 🎃 OCTOBER 🎃*

All tours begin at 8 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m.

🎃Friday, Oct. 4
Saturday, Oct. 5
🎃Friday, Oct. 11
Saturday, Oct. 12
🎃Friday, Oct. 18
Saturday, Oct. 19
🎃Friday, Oct. 25
Saturday, Oct. 26

The Haunted Norfolk Tour will walk you through some of Downtown's otherworldly-histories; from ghost stories and real life tragedies, to experiments from another dimension. We’ll crawl the depths of Norfolk and explore all the spooky charm it has to offer. Join us, if you dare.

🎫Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance.

👉🏽The tour will begin in front of the Moses Myers House; parking is available in MacArthur Center garages.

👻The themes of this tour are of an adult nature. Murder, su***de, death, and ghosts will be discused. It is at the parents' discretion as to whether their child is mature enough for this content.

🎟The ticket link will display a landing page with a calendar where you can choose the specific tour date.

Click on link: https://shorturl.at/Pd0im

25/09/2024

📅September 28, 2024 4pm

NEON Public Art Tour: Exploring the Creative Force of Women in the Norfolk Art's District 👩‍🦳👩‍🦰👩👩‍🎤🧑‍🎨

Join Norfolk Tour Company for this free walking tour highlighting the work of women artists of the NEON District. Experienced Norfolk Tour Company guides will provide an up-close look at the neighborhood's extensive public art collection with special attention to the contributions from women artists and business owners.

📌The tour will begin at The Plot, located at the corner of Granby Street and Olney Roa and is FREE and open to the public.

The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and is held rain or shine. Wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves walking on uneven surfaces.

🚕NEON District public parking is available on the street, at the Plot's parking lot and the Harrison Opera House lot.