Museums in:

Portsmouth, Virginia

Children's Museum of Virginia

Portsmouth, Virginia

Children's

While the Children’s Museum of Virginia is closed for renovations, the fun, excitement, and imagination continues at Andalo’s Clubhouse. Andalo, the museum mascot, presents hands-on exhibits, room for birthday parties, family fun days, and educational programs – just like the Children’s Museum of Virginia always has! The new address is 420 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Chrysler Museum of Art

Norfolk, Virginia

Art

Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Courthouse Galleries

Portsmouth, Virginia

Art

Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Norfolk, Virginia

History, Military

Relive the naval battles and events that took place in Norfolk and helped shape the nation's history through the museum's exhibits. Battles like those off the Virginia Capes during the American Revolution, Civil War (the U.S.S. Monitor and the C.S.S. Virginia), World War II and Desert Storm are illustrated through detailed ship models, naval artwork, underwater artifacts and traditional exhibits.

Historic House

The Romanesque Revival townhome, c. 1894, was built for merchant James W. Hunter. Exhibits include Victorian furnishings, decorative arts and architecture.

History

Nauticus, The National Maritime Center in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

History

Ohef Sholom Temple Archives occupies a unique position as a religious institution in the region. For a century and a half members have left their mark on the development and growth of this community. To preserve important data that tell the story, to keep faith with those who have gone before and to inform generations to come, the Temple Board has designated a special room and funds for a Temple Archives. It is the responsibility of Ohef Sholom Temple Archives to make its vast resources available to the school aged children of Tidewater. These resources include period textiles, photographs, print media and video.

Portlock Galleries at SoNo

Chesapeake, Virginia

Art

Portsmouth Museums Foundation

Portsmouth, Virginia

Art, Children's, Culture, General, History, Historic House, Military, Science, Specialized

The Portsmouth Museums Foundation is comprised of a 24-person regional board representing Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach and has a full time Executive Director and a part time assistant. Our mission is to generate private sector financial support for all four of the Portsmouth museums which include the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, Children’s Museum of Virginia, Courthouse Galleries and the Lightship Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Planetarium

Portsmouth, Virginia

Planetarium

Portsmouth Planetarium in Portsmouth, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

The Fred Heutte Center

Norfolk, Virginia

Nature Centers

The Fred Heutte Center in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Historical Society

The Norfolk Historical Society interprets and preserves the history of Norfolk, a Virginia seaport city chartered in 1682. The Society collects, preserves, and makes available to the public objects and records relating to Norfolk's history.

Tugboat Museum

Norfolk, Virginia

Tugboat Museum in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Virginia Zoological Society

Norfolk, Virginia

Zoo

Virginia Zoological Society in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

D'Art Center

Norfolk, Virginia

Art

The d’ART Center – Your Connection to the Visual Arts! The d'ART Center is teeming with wonderful, amazing, unbridled creative energy. Why wait for an art show, connect with the creative process year round as 41 resident artists create one-of a kind artwork in lampwork glass, painting, photography, pottery, mixed media and more. Inspiring creativity, d'ART offers a variety of adult and children's art classes and camps for all skill levels. World class local, regional and national art exhibitions continually transform the d'ART Centers 5 sky-lit galleries.

Hermitage Museum & Gardens

Norfolk, Virginia

Art, Botanical Garden, History, Historic House, Nature Centers, Park

A fine arts museum housed in Tudor style home on 13 acres along the Lafayette River. The Hermitage Foundation Museum is truly a celebration of the arts. Some of the works include Italian and French textiles and laces, English and European ceramics and paintings, hand painted glass from Germany, ivory carvings, Persian rugs, and ritual bronzes and ceramic tomb figures from China.

Lightship Portsmouth Museum

Portsmouth, Virginia

History, Military

Planetarium

Norfolk State University Planetarium in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Art

Old Dominion University Art Gallery in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Portsmouth Historical Association

Portsmouth, Virginia

History, Historic House

See listing for Hill House.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Portsmouth, Virginia

Culture, History, Historical Society, Library, Military, Science, Specialized

During the Revolutionary War, the shipyard was described by the British as “the most considerable one in America.” It’s been burned three times by retreating armies because of its strategic importance. Many historic ships have been built here, including the CSS VIRGINIA (EX-MERRIMAC), the first ironclad to engage in battle; the nation’s first battleship, the TEXAS; and the world’s first aircraft carrier, the LANGLEY. The shipyard is also home to the country’s first drydock, which is still in use. At its peak during WWII, the yard employed nearly 43,000 workers.

Pretlow Planetarium

Norfolk, Virginia

Planetarium, Science, University

The Old Dominion University Mary D. Pretlow Planetarium is located adjacent to the Chemical Sciences building, Alfriend Hall, on the main campus.

The MacArthur Memorial

Norfolk, Virginia

History, Library, Military, Specialized

The memorial depicts the life and times of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Housed in Norfolk's 1850 city hall, it is the final resting place of Gen. and Mrs. MacArthur.

Art

Tidewater Community College Visual Arts Center in Portsmouth, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame

Portsmouth, Virginia

History, Specialized, University

On April 22, 2005, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum opened it's new 35,000 square-foot facility in Downtown Portsmouth. The new family attraction includes college sports, media, Olympic, golf and Redskins exhibits, hands-on baseball, basketball, football and soccer activities, interactive games and activities, and auto racing computer simulators. The Hall's Digital Theater features a 16 foot HD projector screen and will be a great place to learn about Virginia's Sports traditions and to watch the game!

Wise Art Gallery

Norfolk, Virginia

Art

Wise Art Gallery in Norfolk, VA is one of more than 15,400 museums in the MuseumsUSA directory. Find an exciting museum to visit where you live or vacation today.

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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.