Visitors will find out about enslaved and free Blacks at Historic Endview, including who they were, how they lived and worked, and what we’re still hoping to learn. Guided tours of the historic house will focus on the property’s past African American residents. There will be an opportunity to try a slate writing activity while exploring how enslaved and free Blacks in the 18th century learned skills such as writing. All activities are included with museum admission of $8/adult, $7/senior, $6/student (7-12), and $20/family. Under age 7 is free.
Questions? Please email us at nnhistoricsites@nnva.gov or call Historic Endview at 757-887-1862.
With the end of World War I, Newport News Shipbuilding lost most of its military and commercial maritime contracts. In order to stay in business, shipyard President Homer L. Ferguson looked for non-maritime projects. From 1923 to 1927, Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company constructed over 5,000 railroad cars and repaired hundreds of steam locomotives for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and other American Class I railroads. Ferguson kept his workforce of expert welders, foundrymen, engineers, fitters, and architects intact through his heroic efforts for several years at diversification and “other work” that saved the legacy of the shipyard. This rail heritage program presents the story of the effort that “went on the rails.” It is co-sponsored by Newport News Historic Services and Lee Hall Train Station Foundation, and admission is free.
To celebrate Black History Month, we’re exploring the deep connection between African-Americans and the railroad with two special activities! A new self-guided tour will feature events and people of significance in Black railroad history. An interactive activity table will offer the opportunity to get hands-on while learning about Black inventors whose work made railroad history. All activities are included in regular museum admission of $8/adult, $7/senior, $6/student (7-18), and $20/family. Under age 7 is free.
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.
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 under 8.
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.