Cape Henry Lighthouse

Name: Cape Henry Lighthouse
Address: Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story, Virginia Beach, VA, 23459, US
Telephone: +17574229421
Price range: $

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Cape Henry Lighthouse

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Cape Henry Lighthouse is the first federally funded lighthouse and was built to guide maritime commerce at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

It is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the United States. Authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton, the Cape Henry Lighthouse silently guards the entry way into the Chesapeake Bay. Standing near the spot where, in 1607, Captain Newport raised a cross to offer thanks for their safe crossing of the Atlantic, the Lighthouse is opened to the public year round. The architectural integrity of the tower is representative of one of John McComb's best and most important constructions. The Lighthouse also symbolizes the first bold steps the nation's new government took to fulfill its obligations to its people. With the construction of the Cape Henry Lighthouse, the waters of the Chesapeake Bay became navigable and safe ensuring steady trade and commerce on the Virginia and Maryland coasts. Preservation Virginia acquired Cape Henry Lighthouse and 1.77 acres of ground in 1930.

11/02/2026

Happy November! Here’s what’s happening at Cape Henry!

⏰ Winter hours begin!
November 1-March 16 / 10-4pm
For the winter season we will close at 4pm with our last tour at 2:30pm
We will remain open Tuesday-Sunday

🇺🇸 Veteran’s Day
November 11th / 10-4pm
Veterans and Active Duty military will receive 50% off their tour ticket. Thank you for your service.

🖥️ Creation of the Lighthouse Virtual Program
November 15 / 11am
Tickets available online.

🎂 Old Cape Henry Lighthouse Birthday Party!
November 17 / 10-4pm
Purchase your online tickets with a special discount code and enjoy a scavenger hunt during your tour!

🦃 Thanksgiving Day
November 26 / CLOSED
We will be closed for Thanksgiving

🖥️ Maritime History VP
November 28 / 11am
Tickets available online.

10/31/2026

🎃 Happy Halloween from the ghoulest kids in town!

10/30/2026

🕰️ Our hours are changing!
🗓️ We will remain open Tuesday-Sunday but starting November 1st we will be closing at 4pm with our last tour time at 2:30pm

Civilian visitors must arrive by 2:00pm to gain base access.

❄️ We will keep these hours until the spring!

10/29/2026

Have you heard this haunted tale of Virginia Beach?

Grace Sherwood was a real woman who was born in 1660 in Pungo, Virginia. She was accused of witchcraft various times throughout her life. And was the last person convicted of witchcraft in Virginia.
🧙 In 1706, she was tried and convicted of being a witch!
At the time ‘witch ducking’ was a way to determine if someone was a witch. They would tie your thumbs to your toes and throw you into the water, if you drown you were not a witch, if you got out and swam to shore, you were a witch! Seems like a lose lose situation huh?
Grace was ducked and was able to get out a swim to shore! So she spent the next 8 years in prison for being a witch.
When she got out, she returned to her farm where she lived to be 80 years old.
In 2006, on the 300th anniversary of her conviction, she was pardoned and had her name cleared of all witchcraft.

Next time you drive down Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach, and wonder how the road got its name, think about Grace Sherwood!

10/29/2026

Have you ever wondered about the local lores of Virginia Beach? We have another opportunity for you to learn about our Spooky Stories!
Let us tell you some of our favorites!

👻 Spooky Stories of Virginia Beach
🗓️ Saturday, October 31st
🕰️ 11am
🖥️ over Google Meet
🎟️ Registration Required, tickets available at www.preservationvirginia.org ‘Special Events’

10/27/2026

Have you heard this haunted Virginia Beach Tale?
🏴‍☠️ Blackbeard, also known as Edward Teach, terrorized the coast between the Caribbean to Virginia Beach between 1716-1718.

This reign ended when Governor Spotswood ordered his death! His head was displayed on a pike in Hampton, Virginia.
Legends include everything from seeing his headless body walking through the trees all the way to his treasure being buried in the sand dunes of Cape Henry! Maybe we’ll find it one day 🗺️

** These are legends and lore of Virginia Beach and the staff of Cape Henry Lighthouse cannot confirm the truth of these stories. You must find out for yourself!

First Landing State Park

10/24/2026

Have you heard these haunted Virginia Beach stories?
The Cavalier Hotel, located at 4200 Atlantic Avenue, was built in April of 1927.

It boasts 85 luxury rooms, four restaurants, pools and spas, has hosted 10 presidents and countless celebrities.
In 1942 it even operated as a Navy Radar Training School.

With a history so rich it’s bound to have a few spirits walking its halls.
The most famous of its ghost stories is that of Adolf Coors Sr. The founder of Coors b**r company’s. While staying at the Cavalier in 1929 under doctors orders to recover from a flu, Mr. Coors fell from his 6th floor window, reports say the window was closed upon investigation. Was he murdered? We may never know!

** These are legends and lore of Virginia Beach and the staff of Cape Henry Lighthouse cannot confirm the truth of these stories. You must find out for yourself!

The Historic Cavalier Hotel Visit Virginia Beach

10/22/2026

🗓️ On this day in 1791:
William Lewis was the first appointed lighthouse keeper at Cape Henry in 1792. His journey started a full year before in October of 1791 when he reached out to Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, to ask for his good word in submitting his application for employment to George Washington.

Just like a Jon application today, he takes time to list his professional references!

10/21/2026

🚒 We’re celebrating our First Responders! 🚑
On First Responder Appreciation Day we are offering FREE admission to Firefighters, EMTs, Nurses and Police Officers!
🎨 There will also be a craft station for kids to make cards for our Fort Story Fire and Police departments!

🗓️ October 28th, 2026
🕰️ All Day
🎟️ Free Admission for First Responders!

👩‍⚕️ 👨‍⚕️ 👨‍🚒 👮
Thank you for all you do EVERYDAY!

Address

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story
Virginia Beach, VA
23459

Telephone

+17574229421

Website

https://preservationvirginia.org/historic-sites/cape-henry-lighthouse/, http://capehenrylhshop.myshopify.com/, http://pr

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