History and Culture

No matter what your interests are, you’ll enjoy them in Hampton Roads.

williamsburg, history and culture Hampton Roads is where the English first settled America in 1607. Since then many of history’s most famous statesmen, soldiers, and scholars have called our home their home. Here you can walk the cobblestone streets of a colonial-era city, tour the homes and businesses and watch the craftsmen of the day in Williamsburg. You can see the historic sites of Jamestown, where our first settlers survived the harsh elements, and Yorktown, where the American Revolution effectively ended, ushering in a new dawn of democracy and civil liberty that has since encircled the world. Less than a century later, battles of the American Civil War took place on our soil, underscoring the importance of this area. In more modern times, Hampton Roads continued to leave its mark on the pages of history as fearsome naval ships like the USS Wisconsin, docked at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, sailed from our shores and fought for freedom.

You don’t have to be a historian to feel enriched by all Hampton Roads has to offer. Our Chrysler Museum of Art has one of the most significant collections in the southeastern United States and is respected worldwide. It is one of many venues, along with museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums that educate and awe our citizens and visitors alike. Our symphony, opera, performing artists and professional athletes entertain spectators in some of the most attractive venues available. And because our region is composed of 15 localities, each with their own attractions, events, and unique character, there is something for everyone in Hampton Roads.

Cultural Venues

Historic Sites