Hampton Roads Naval Museum

This U.S. naval history museum spans from the time of the Revolution onward with a special focus on the USS Wisconsin, which is anchored nearby.

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is a museum operated by the United States Navy that celebrates the 220-year history of the fleet in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Accompanying the battleship Wisconsin is an exhibit by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum entitled "Wisky Walk." The exhibit is divided into five sections. They discuss the design of the ship, her operations in World War II, her operations in Korea, her midshipmen cruises in the 1950's, and reactivation in the 1980's. The exhibit includes several artifacts from Wisconsin veterans. Yorktown Naval Weapons Station graciously donated a 16-inch shell as part of the exhibit. The museum's newest exhibit is the battleship Wisconsin's silver service. The opening exhibit portrays the American Revolution in Hampton Roads focusing on the critical Battle off the Virginia Capes.

The museum devotes a large section of its gallery to the events in Hampton Roads during the American Civil War. Featured artifacts include items from the sloop-of-war USS Cumberland, a piece of armor plate from CSS Virginia, the engine room clock from USS New Ironsides, and items from commerce raider CSS Florida. A lesser known role that Hampton Roads played is the area's support in the construction of a new steel navy and the Spanish-American War. A lessor known role that Hampton Roads played is the area's support in the construction of a new steel navy and the Spanish-American War.