Here are some historic sites and attractions in Virginia Beach that you won’t want to miss.
Discover Virginia Beach’s History
A trip to Virginia Beach has plenty offer. From spending time on the beach to exploring the city’s diverse neighborhoods, the options are virtually limitless. While Virginia Beach is known for the surf and sand, the city also holds centuries of history that can be uncovered through a number of local historic attractions.
Click here to read about more things to do in Virginia Beach.
Historic Attractions in Virginia Beach
Here are some historic sites and attractions in Virginia Beach that you won’t want to miss.
Cape Henry Lighthouse
Second to the Neptune Statue on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the Cape Henry Lighthouse is one of Virginia Beach’s most notable landmarks. The lighthouse is the first federally funded public works projects in the country.
Guests can climb the tower, for panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay, through Preservation Virginia. Preservation Virginia also offers Dune Talks and walking tours of the Cape Henry area, the sight of the first landing.
Click here to read more about the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
Cape Henry Memorial Cross
In 1935, the Cape Henry Memorial Cross was erected as a national landmark. The cross memorializes the site where the first permanent English settlers arrived at the New World on April 26, 1607.
Military Aviation Museum
Driving in southern Virginia Beach, in the Pungo area, you may hear and see biplanes overhead. These planes are housed at the Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the largest private collections of World War I- and World War II-era military aircrafts in the world.
Tour the museum and browse the assortment of historic planes. The Military Aviation Museum even flies the planes in demonstrations and also allows visitors to hop in and go for a ride.
Click here to read more about the Military Aviation Museum.
Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum showcases exhibits and artifacts from Virginia Beach’s wildfowl history, as well as wildfowl decoys and decorative carvings. Just off the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the museum itself is located in a historic building. The DeWitt Cottage was built in 1895.
Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum
Operating out of a former U.S. Life Saving Station, built in 1903, the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum is also located off the boardwalk. The purpose of the museum is to preserve and educate about Virginia Beach’s maritime history through exhibits about shipwrecks, local lifeguards, storms and more.
Thoroughgood House
One of the oldest surviving colonial homes in Virginia Beach, the Thoroughgood House is a National Historic Landmark. The house was built in 1719 by Argall Thorowgood, great grandson of Adam Thorowgood, a leader in the Virginia colony who helped establish Princess Anne County.
Visit the newly constructed Thoroughgood House Education Center to learn more about the history of Princess Anne County, the impact of the Thorowgood Family and the overall history of the area.
Francis Land House
Circa 1805, the historic Francis Land House was home to Frances Land VI, a wealthy plantation owner in Princess Anne County. Tour the home and learn more about plantation life during the 1800s, including the roles of free and enslaved people.
Lynnhaven House
The Lynnhaven House is known to be one of the most well-preserved examples of early Virginia vernacular architecture. The home dates back to 1725, built by Francis Thelaball. Take a guided tour and learn more about the architecture of Lynnhaven House and lifestyle of residents in 18th-century Virginia.
Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum
In the 1930s, Princess Anne County, now known as Virginia Beach, built its first school for African American children. The Princess Anne County Training School was built on four acres of land on Witchduck Road. In 1962, the school was renamed the Union Kempsville High School.
See the legacy of this school at the museum that tells the stories of the students, community and the importance of education. The museum is located within Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ Renaissance Academy.
