Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse staff on September 5th at 7pm for a virtual program about the Battle of the Capes! With the Revolutionary War in full swing, Cornwallis had established a strong hold in Yorktown. General Washington called on General Rochambeau for assistance. The French Navy, under Admiral Comte De Grasse formed a blockade […]
Lighthouse keeping was once a federal job, and a tough one at that! Join Preservation Virginia’s Cape Henry Lighthouse in an exploration of what it was like to be a lighthouse keeper in the 18th and 19th centuries, and how lighthouses are used today.
Cape Henry is known for over 400 years of history, starting with the first landing of the Jamestown settlers, to the Village of Cape Henry and the creation of Fort Story. Learn about the creation of the lighthouse and its experience throughout major events in the country’s history.
The little known Village of Cape Henry was a bustling resort town in the early 1900’s. Accessed by an electric rail line and equipped with a casino, church, ice cream parlor, cottages and hotels. It was the place to be along the oceanfront.
Explore lighthouse related STEAM activities at Cape Henry Lighthouse! From science to art all kids will get to take home a new bit of knowledge about lighthouses. This event is open to all school aged children.
Learn more about the three female light keepers who assisted in the keeping of Cape Henry as well as other notable female lighthouse keepers such as Ida Lewis, one of the most well-known. Learn about what it would take to be a female keeper and what life would have been like.
Learn more about the three female light keepers who assisted in the keeping of Cape Henry as well as other notable female lighthouse keepers such as Ida Lewis, one of the most well-known. Learn about what it would take to be a female keeper and what life would have been like.
Learn more about the three female light keepers who assisted in the keeping of Cape Henry as well as other notable female lighthouse keepers such as Ida Lewis, one of the most well-known. Learn about what it would take to be a female keeper and what life would have been like.
Lighthouse keeping could be a very lonely job which is why many lighthouse keepers brought along their families! Learn about the families, friends and even pets who helped to keep the lights shining throughout history, especially here at Cape Henry Lighthouse!
Did you know that lighthouse keeping wasn’t just a man’s job? Learn about the three lighthouse keeper’s, Julia A.P Harding, Mary Creekmore and Carrie Richardson at the Cape Henry Lighthouse. Explore Ida Lewis, one of the most well-known light keepers who amassed many daring rescues. We will be looking at employment records across the country to investigate pay equality across the profession of light keeping in the Lighthouse Service.
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse on the lookout at the Cape Henry Memorial Park overlooking the ocean as we read a children’s book related to the ocean and lighthouse. Stick around for a fun quick craft that accompanies the book that you can take home!
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse on the lookout at the Cape Henry Memorial Park overlooking the ocean as we read a children’s book related to the ocean and lighthouse. Stick around for a fun quick craft that accompanies the book that you can take home!
Landing on the shores of the Cape, on April 26th 1607, the men and boys of the Virginia Company Charter claimed this land for Henry, son of King James. Compare and contrast primary sources of John Smith and George Percy, to discover the reasons behind the journey from Cape Henry to Jamestown. This program will show monuments currently dedicated to the first landing and its importance to our country’s beginnings.
Have you ever wondered what animals create a sand dune ecosystem? Students will explore the vast ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay and CapeHenry. Learning about all the animals, fuzzy or not so, that make the beach their home! General admission $8, Preservation Virginia members Free! This is a virtual program taking place over Zoom designed […]
Cape Henry is known for over 400 years of history, starting with the first landing of the Jamestown settlers, to the Village of Cape Henry and the creation of Fort Story. Learn about the creation of the lighthouse and its experience throughout major events in the country’s history. This program offers a detailed overview of the Cape Henry area starting in 1607 and continuing to the present.
*This event is open for active/retired military and DOD card holders only* Visitors over the age of 16 must have a valid REAL ID if accompanied by an active/retired. military or DoD card holder to attend this event. Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity! Watch the sunset over the Chesapeake Bay from the top of the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse. General Admission is required.
The Fresnel Lens revolutionized and assisted naval navigation with its invention in 1822. Join us on July 23rd at 7pm as we dive into the mechanics of how it projects light miles further than any other lens. Be introduced to the man who created the lens that changed navigation, Augustin Jean Fresnel, a French engineer.
From seagulls to bald eagles, Cape Henry is teeming with wildlife, especially birds. Join the Cape Henry staff as see what birds are gracing the skies, and learn why they are important to our ecosystem.
Sea creatures big and small make the Chesapeake Bay home. Learn more about who makes up our under the sea ecosystem from the tiniest shrimp to the largest whales in this virtual program on Zoom with the Cape Henry Lighthouse Staff.
From seagulls to bald eagles, Cape Henry is teeming with wildlife, especially birds. Join the Cape Henry staff as see what birds are gracing the skies, and learn why they are important to our ecosystem.
From seagulls to bald eagles, Cape Henry is teeming with wildlife, especially birds. Join the Cape Henry staff as see what birds are gracing the skies, and learn why they are important to our ecosystem.
Join Cape Henry Lighthouse staff at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum for light breakfast refreshments and coffee while we dive into the world of Lady Lightkeepers! This event is hosted at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum located along the boardwalk. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase at the door, refreshments […]
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Become an Earth activist! Sign our Leave No Trace pledge, go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt and take home your very own pollinator plant. We are dedicated to becoming stewards for our planet and hope you will be too after spending time at the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse staff for a virtual program about the creation of the lighthouse. Although the lighthouse was completed in 1792, the idea of a lighthouse on Cape Henry came to be decades earlier.
Join us at First Landing State Park at 2pm to talk about local wildlife at Cape Henry! Children will explore the vast ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay and Cape Henry. What is an ecosystem? What animals live here and how do they help each other survive? This event is family friendly and great for kids […]
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse on the lookout at the Cape Henry Memorial Park overlooking the ocean as we read a children’s book related to the ocean and lighthouse. Stick around for a fun quick craft that accompanies the book that you can take home!
Landing on the shores of the Cape, on April 26th 1607, the men and boys of the Virginia Company Charter claimed this land for Henry, son of King James. This program will show monuments currently dedicated to the first landing and its importance to our country’s beginnings.
Join Cape Henry Lighthouse staff at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum for light breakfast refreshments and coffee as we talk about the history of the Cape Henry area, starting in 1607 all the way to present day. This event is hosted at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum located along the boardwalk. […]
Learn little known history about the Virginia Beach area, including witches, pirates and military facts! Learn about Fort Story, a prominent military base in Virginia Beach as they consider the history of the community.
History is brewing in Virginia Beach! Join us at the Reaver Beach Brewing Co. taproom for a riveting presentation on the history of Prohibition in Virginia Beach. Your ticket includes one drink! Additional drinks can be purchased as desired. --- Tickets can be purchased at the door for $12. This event is hosted by Cape […]
Join us at First Landing State Park at 2pm to learn about the history of the Village of Cape Henry! The little known Village of Cape Henry was a bustling resort town in the early 1900’s. Access by an electric rail line and equipped with a casino, church, ice cream parlor, cottages and hotels. It […]
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse on the lookout at the Cape Henry Memorial Park overlooking the ocean as we read a children’s book related to the ocean and lighthouse. Stick around for a fun quick craft that accompanies the book that you can take home!
Join Cape Henry Lighthouse staff at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum for light breakfast refreshments and coffee while we dive into the life of Jay D. Edwards, the last keeper of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse and the first keeper of the New Cape Henry Lighthouse. This event is hosted at the Virginia […]
Although the lighthouse was completed in 1792, the idea of a lighthouse on Cape Henry came to be decades earlier. Learn about the agreement between Virginia and Maryland, how the Founding Fathers are connected to the construction of the lighthouse and the process of building with the adjustments that had to be made to create the first federally funded public works project during this virtual program on Zoom.
Join us at First Landing State Park at 2pm to learn about the history of the creation of the lighthouse! The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is the first federally funded public works project, find out the connections to multiple founding fathers and why it is the first federally funded public works project. This event is […]
Pirates have been wreaking havoc and adventuring the world’s oceansfor hundreds of years. Join Preservation Virginia’s Cape Henry Lighthouse on Zoom in an exploration of some of the world’s more preposterous pirates.
*This event is open for military and DOD card holders only* Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity! Watch the sunset over the Chesapeake Bay from the top of the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse. General admission is required and can be purchased on site. NOTICE: Due to current base security restrictions at Fort […]
Join Cape Henry Lighthouse staff at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum for light breakfast refreshments and coffee while we dive into the creation of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, the connections to multiple founding fathers and why it is the first federally funded public works project. This event is hosted at the Virginia […]
In this virtual program we will compare historic photos to what the same area would look like in present day. Learn about the history of the before photos and the changes that lead up to the after photo.
Join us at First Landing State Park at 2pm to learn about lighthouse families! Hear about the families, friends and even pets who helped to keep the lights shining throughout history, especially here at Cape Henry Lighthouse. This program is great for families, ideal for children ages 3-8 and includes an activity! This event is […]
Sea creatures big and small make the Chesapeake Bay home. Learn more about who makes up our under the sea ecosystem from the tiniest shrimp to the largest whales in this virtual program on Zoom with the Cape Henry Lighthouse Staff.
Join Cape Henry Lighthouse staff at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum for light breakfast refreshments and coffee while we dive into British interactions during the War of 1812, reports of German U-Boats during World War II and hear the stories of all the wars in between that the Cape Henry Lighthouse has stood […]
Cape Henry is known for over 400 years of history, starting with the first landing of the Jamestown settlers, to the Village of Cape Henry and the creation of Fort Story. Learn about the creation of the lighthouse and its experience throughout major events in the country’s history.
Join us at First Landing State Park at 2pm to learn about the life of Willis Agustus Hodges, Cape Henry Lighthouse's first African American lightkeeper. This event is free although standard parking rates apply, $7 per car. Event hosted at the trail center of First Landing State Park at 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA.
Standing since 1792, the Cape Henry Lighthouse has stood guard over the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay for many major wars. Examine primary sources describing British interactions during the War of 1812, reports of German U-Boats during World War II and hear the stories of all the wars in between. This program will highlight the lighthouse and its relationship with freedom. This virtual program will take place over Zoom.
*This event is open for military and DOD card holders only* Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity! Watch the sunset over the Chesapeake Bay from the top of the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse. General admission is required and can be purchased on site. NOTICE: Due to current base security restrictions at Fort […]
Learn about the historic shipwrecks that plagued the Virginia coastline, including the Dictator, and how their presence is still being felt today in this virtual program designed just for kids!
Join us at First Landing State Park at 2pm to learn about civil war sea battles! Families are welcome and this event is ideal for children ages 6-12. This event is free although standard parking rates apply, $7 per car. Event hosted at the trail center of First Landing State Park at 2500 Shore Drive, […]
The little known Village of Cape Henry was a bustling resort town in the early 1900’s. Accessed by an electric rail line and equipped with a casino, church, ice cream parlor, cottages and hotels. It was the place to be along the oceanfront.
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse on the lookout at the Cape Henry Memorial Park overlooking the ocean as we read a children’s book related to the ocean and lighthouse. Stick around for a fun quick craft that accompanies the book that you can take home!
The little known Village of Cape Henry was a bustling resort town in the early 1900’s. Accessed by an electric rail line and equipped with a casino, church, ice cream parlor, cottages and hotels. It was the place to be along the oceanfront.
This event is included in general admission and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Stop by the Cape Henry Lighthouse to learn and practice knot tying skills, such as canoe hitches for tying up boats and classic knots such as the figure eight. Learn about how rope is made and why it was important to shipping and lighthouse keeping.
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse on the lookout at the Cape Henry Memorial Park overlooking the ocean as we read a children’s book related to the ocean and lighthouse. Stick around for a fun quick craft that accompanies the book that you can take home!
Cape Henry is known for over 400 years of history, starting with the first landing of the Jamestown settlers, to the Village of Cape Henry and the creation of Fort Story. Learn about the creation of the lighthouse and its experience throughout major events in the country’s history.
This event is included in general admission and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Stop by the Cape Henry Lighthouse to learn and practice knot tying skills, such as canoe hitches for tying up boats and classic knots such as the figure eight. Learn about how rope is made and why it was important to shipping and lighthouse keeping.
Lighthouse keeping could be a very lonely job which is why many lighthouse keepers brought along their families! Learn about the families, friends and even pets who helped to keep the lights shining throughout history, especially here at Cape Henry Lighthouse!
This event is free and open to active/retired military/ DoD ID holders and their families. Join the Cape Henry Lighthouse on the lookout at the Cape Henry Memorial Park overlooking the ocean as we read a children’s book related to the ocean and lighthouse. Stick around for a fun quick craft that accompanies the book that you can take home!