Norfolk, VA

Crispus Attucks Theatre & Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Designed by black architect Harvey N. Johnson and erected in 1919 and once known as the Showplace of the South; named in honor of Crispus Attucks, the 1st American patriot to sacrifice his life during the Revolutionary War; it was the brainchild of the Twin Cities Amusement Corporation, an enterprise of black businessmen from Norfolk and Portsmouth who developed the Attucks as a regional mecca for entertainment and commerce. when it first opened it was a rare Southern example of an early cinema financed, designed and built exclusively by and for African Americans; now fully restored and reopened as a full service cultural center, today’s performances include everything from concerts to talent shows to ballet
DAYS & HOURS: daily, but event dependent
ADDRESS: 1008-1012 Church Street  MAP
PARKING: on street and lots nearby
PHONE: 757-623-1111
WEBSITE: http://www.attuckstheatre.org

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
DESCRIPTION: Over 80 feet tall and possibly the tallest monument dedicated to a civil rights leader in America, this tribute celebrates the life of Dr. King and other slain civil rights workers
ADDRESS: Church Street at Brambelton Ave  MAP
PARKING: on street

Norfolk State University
DESCRIPTION: A Historically Black University founded in 1935 as the Norfolk branch of Virginia Union University; in 1956, an Act of the Virginia Legislature enabled the Institution to offer Bachelor degrees; it became an independent college in 1969; by 1979, it became a university and it now includes undergraduate and graduate schools in many disciplines
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: 2401 Corprew Ave  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-683-8396
WEBSITE: http://www.nsu.edu

L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center
DESCRIPTION: Named in honor of the first Black governor of Virginia, this exquisite and luxurious performing arts venue seats over 1800 spectators; upon entry, a grand staircase and spiral crystal chandelier serve as the focal point catching your eye; attend a concert or play on its Broadway-quality stage and listen to excellent acoustics for the many and varied musical performances year round
DAYS & HOURS: event dependent
ADDRESS: 700 Park Ave at Norfolk State University  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-823-2063
WEBSITE: http://www.nsu.edu/wilder

African American Civil War Memorial
DESCRIPTION: One of the South's few memorials to Black Civil War veterans or any Union Civil War Veterans; in 1906, the statue's granite base was dedicated to black soldiers and sailors from all wars; by 1920 sufficient private funds were raised to commission a statue to complete the monument; the statuesque figure of a African American Union soldier, represents Norfolk native Sgt. William H. Carney, a member of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment; Carney was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in the attack on Fort Wagner, South Carolina on 18 July 1863; when the color bearer was killed, Carney picked up the colors and led the attack, though he himself was wounded several times; 100 veterans are laid to rest within the cemetery, most of them from the Civil War and Spanish-American War
ADDRESS: West Point Cemetery just west of Elmwood Cemetery  MAP
PARKING: on street

Portsmouth, VA

Medal of Honor Monument
DESCRIPTION: Commemorates 11 of the 14 African American soldiers who received a Congressional Medal of Honor for valor during the Civil War Battle of New Market Heights near Richmond
ADDRESS: High Street at Water Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lot nearby

Hampton, VA

Hampton University
DESCRIPTION: Founded as the Hampton Normal and Industrial Institute on the beautiful shores of the Hampton River; in 1868 by General Samuel Chapman Armstrong as a place to train newly freed African Americans; Hampton students built most of the school’s early facilities to pay their way; this National Historic Landmark and Italianesque campanile tower; in 1878, it was the first US college to admit Native Americans; now a preeminent school with internationally renown faculty and is one of the top ranked HBCUs; college bookstore is located in Hampton Harbors; Hampton became the first HBCU to host a NASA facility
DAYS & HOURS: daily
ADDRESS: Hampton University  MAP
PARKING: on premises
WEBSITE: http://www.hamptonu.edu

Hampton University Museum
DESCRIPTION: The oldest museum of African American art in the United States moved into the Huntington Building after a $5 million renovation in 1997; it features 34,000 square feet and 10 galleries with 12,000 square feet of gallery space that contain over 9,000 African, African American and Native American art objects plus an education center; this Smithsonian-quality museum features top drawer permanent and changing exhibitions including the John Biggers exhibit, that drew record crowds; museum staff publishes The International Review of African American Art -- one of the only periodicals devoted to African American art
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 8a-5p; Sat-Sun 12a-4p
ADDRESS: Hampton University  MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 757-727-5308
WEBSITE: http://www.hamptonu.edu

Booker T. Washington Memorial Garden & Statue
DESCRIPTION: A former slave, Booker T Washington graduated from Hampton University in 1875; through his doctrine and practice of self-help by African Americans he became the preeminent “Negro Leader” of his time as recognized by Anglo-Americans; his greatest legacy is founding prestigious Tuskegee Institute in Alabama; located in a memorial garden, the statue of Washington is a matches the honor and dignity of this great man
ADDRESS: Hampton University off Marshall Ave  MAP
PARKING: on premises
WEBSITE: http://www.hamptonu.edu

John Biggers Murals
DESCRIPTION: House of the Turtle and The Tree House 20 feet by 10 feet murals are the work of the world-renowned artist, Dr. John Biggers, a Hampton alum; the murals can be seen in the
ADDRESS: Harvey Library at Hampton University  MAP
PARKING: on premises
WEBSITE: http://www.hamptonu.edu

Newport News, VA

Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Historic home built in 1899 by Joseph Thomas Newsome; the son of enslaved parents, Newsome rose to become a great orator, editor of the Newport News Star newspaper and the 1st black attorney licensed to practice before the Virginia Supreme Court; for best impressions, see his personal effects and artifacts when an exhibit or discussion is held by a tour guide
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-4p
ADDRESS: 2803 Oak Avenue  MAP
PARKING: on street
PHONE: 757-247-2380
WEBSITE: http://www.newsomehouse.org