September 11 – October 31, 2026
Vernon L. Carter first photographed the World Trade Center when he was studying ultra-modern architecture in New York City in the 1980s. In 2001, he took photographs of the World Trade Center when he went to New York on a job assignment shortly after the devastating attack on September 11.
One day after work, carrying his camera, he walked from his job location in Lower Manhattan to Ground Zero. He was escorted to a newly built viewing platform to observe the clean-up efforts. The platform was primarily reserved for law enforcement, first responders, and family members who had lost loved ones in the dreadful attack.
After leaving the platform, he surveyed the area surrounding Ground Zero and took additional photos of the devastation. This exhibit includes 21 of these images.
There will also be an opportunity for guests to participate in a community memory archival project to reflect on their experiences and thoughts from 25 years ago.
The Shipyard Experience: A Trolley and Walking Tour
Discover the Newport News Shipyard legacy — explore the people and places that built our community.
Although visitors cannot enter Newport News Shipyard due to security restrictions, this tour will feature many sites related to the shipyard, including Huntington Avenue, the tugboat Dorothy, the Apprentice School Dormitory, the Victory Arch and Victory Landing Park, the Yard District, and Hilton Village. Guests will learn about the shipyard’s founding, its role in 20th century wars, and its current priorities. The tour will be led by a museum historian from Newport News Historic Services and will include brief opportunities to walk around.
The tour will begin and end at the Virginia War Museum, where there is ample free parking. Please arrive at 9:45AM to board the trolley for a 10:00AM departure. We will return to the Museum by 11:30AM.
The trolley is heated and air conditioned and has traditional wooden bench seating. It does not have seat belts and cannot accommodate car seats, so the tour is not recommended for children.
The trolley is wheelchair accessible. If you use a wheelchair, please contact us at nnhistoricsites@nnva.gov when purchasing your ticket so we can adjust the ticket capacity accordingly.
Please note that ticket pre-sales end at 3:00PM the day before the tour. Remaining tickets, if available, may be purchased beginning at 9:00AM at the Virginia War Museum on the morning of the tour.
