Aug 7, 2021
10:00 am — 3:00 pm
Mark your calendars to celebrate National Lighthouse Day at the Cape Henry Lighthouse! August 7th marks the passage of the Ninth Act of the First Congress of the United States in 1789, establishing federal control of lighthouses and specifically calling for the construction of a lighthouse at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Climb the Old …
The national and global responses and outrage to the terrible and tragic events of George Floyd’s killing illuminate the long and violent American history of racism and injustice that began in 1619 with the beginnings of American slavery in Virginia. The study of history and the interpretation of historic places must include new and revised …
"Treasures of Preservation Virginia"
May 7, 2020
2:00 pm — 3:00 pm
Direct to your computer, tablet or smart phone!
Our next webinar is scheduled for Thursday, May 7 at 2 p.m.! Treasures of Preservation Virginia Join curator of collections Lea Lane as she discusses some of the most intriguing objects in Preservation Virginia’s collections. These objects range from a poetic love letter etched into a window pane at Bacon’s Castle to a silk judicial …
The cast-iron spiral steps at Old Cape Henry Lighthouse were installed in 1867 to replace the original wooden stairs from 1792. For the past century, that spiral stair has been painted black, but it wasn’t always that color. Cape Henry Lighthouse has recently completed several major preservation projects. In May 2019 we completed the …
Aug 7, 2019
10:00 am — 5:00 pm
583 Atlantic Ave, Fort Story, VA 23459
Why is National Lighthouse Day celebrated every August 7th? The Lighthouse Act of 1789 was approved by the new United States government. This act established that a lighthouse would be built at Cape Henry and was signed into law by President George Washington. (Check out the copy in our museum shop!) Learn the history of …
Sep 21, 2019
10:00 am — 5:00 pm
Museum Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. The Museum Day ticket provides free admission for two people on Saturday, September 21, 2019 to Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, John Marshall House, Cape Henry …
Jun 15, 2019
10:00 am — 5:00 pm
Cape Henry Lighthouse
583 Atlantic Avenue
Fort Story, Virginia 23459
Spend time at Cape Henry Lighthouse on June 15 taking a deep dive into the history of the War of 1812, also known as “The Forgotten War.” You’ll have a chance to engage with our historic interpreters on the events of the War of 1812 and learn about what occurred after the arrival of British …
Nov 1, 2019
10:00 am — 5:00 pm
Cape Henry Lighthouse
583 Atlantic Avenue
Fort Story, Virginia 23459
Prior to the English arrival at Cape Henry in 1607, there were at least two Chesapeake Bay towns surrounded by wooden walls (palisades) and populated by Native Americans. The main towns were Chesepioc (at modern Great Neck) and Skicoak (on the modern Elizabeth River). The Chesapeake tribe was conquered by the Powhatan in 1607. Their …
Sep 7, 2019
10:00 am — 5:00 pm
Cape Henry Lighthouse
583 Atlantic Avenue
Fort Story, Virginia 23459
The Battle of the Capes was the largest and most decisive naval battle during the Revolutionary War. It happened in the Chesapeake Bay between two capes: Cape Charles and Cape Henry. Visit Cape Henry Lighthouse September 7 to learn about the importance of this battle, what went wrong for the British and how it ultimately …
Jul 4, 2019
10:00 am — 5:00 pm
Cape Henry Lighthouse
583 Atlantic Avenue
Fort Story, Virginia 23459
A lighthouse at Cape Henry was necessary long before one was actually built. The Chesapeake Bay is the northern most point of the Grave Yard of the Atlantic and dangerous to navigate. During the colonial period, merchants and sailors were fearful to travel the bay during the night or storms. In order for our iconic …
