Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

10/30/2026

Looking for a Halloween outing with just the right amount of spooky? 👻🚢 Climb aboard the Haunted Lightship for family-friendly fun in a setting you won’t find anywhere else.

Visit from 10am–4pm on October 31.

As you make your plans, pack a food donation to help stock local food pantries through Portsmouth Museums’ October food drive.

Admission by donation. Contributions to the food drive are also encouraged and appreciated.

10/29/2026

One night. One ship. Nautical nightmares await. Frightship Portsmouth takes over the Portsmouth Lightship on Friday, October 30, from 5–9pm.

Step aboard after dark for a nautical fright tour accompanying the Ghost Walk in Olde Towne. This experience is intended for visitors seeking a scare and is not family-friendly.

Admission by donation. Contributions to the Portsmouth Museum's October food drive are also encouraged and appreciated!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/46kE5101wV4

10/23/2026

"Portsmouth residents, this day is for you! Explore local art, history and hands-on fun with 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 to all Portsmouth Museums on October 30th for Portsmouth Residents Day 🎉

Just show your ID or utility bill for entry to:
🚂 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐚 Reserve your tickets online and select the “Portsmouth Resident” option: https://ow.ly/Qx7i5100Gqv
⚓️ 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦
🚢 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦
🎨 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫
📚 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦"

10/23/2026

🎃⚓️ The sea is full of mysteries, and sailors throughout history have had their fair share of superstitions!

From unlucky objects to mysterious omens, sailors developed all kinds of beliefs to protect themselves at sea and bring good fortune on their voyages. 👻

Scroll through to discover some spooky sailor superstitions just in time for Halloween! Which one do you think you’d be most careful about on your next voyage? 🌊

10/17/2026

🌙 Artifact of the Day

Take a step back in time with this postcard showing High Street in Portsmouth at night, circa 1910. Beneath a moonlit sky, streetcars, horses and buggies, and bicycles fill the street as people make their way toward the ferry.

High Street has changed quite a bit over the past century, but it remains an important part of Portsmouth’s story and connection to the Elizabeth River. How different would this view look today?

📜 What details can you spot in this historic view?

10/16/2026

10/13/2026

⚓️ Happy Birthday to the U.S. Navy!

Today, October 13, we celebrate the birthday of the United States Navy, established by the Continental Congress in 1775.

For more than 250 years, the Navy has played an important role in our nation’s history, and its story is deeply connected to Portsmouth and the Elizabeth River. From shipbuilding and repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard to the generations of sailors and shipyard workers who have called Portsmouth home, the Navy has helped shape our community for centuries.

Join us in celebrating the U.S. Navy and all those who have served!

Happy Birthday, Navy! ⚓️

10/10/2026

Did you know?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard was originally called Gosport Shipyard!

It was named after Gosport, England, a historic naval town across the harbor from Portsmouth, England, by Andrew Sprowle in 1767.

After the Civil War, the U.S. Navy officially renamed the installation the Norfolk Navy Yard which eventually became Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Want to learn more about the history of the shipyard? Visit the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, now open Wednesdays-Sundays 10am-4pm.

Image: Navy Yard, Gosport, engraving by J. O. Montalant, c. 1845, courtesy of University of Virginia Special Collections