Norfolk, Va.

I visited a military museum in Norfolk 40 years ago, when I got out of the Corps.  I can't tell you the name of it, or if it still exists, but it was pretty good at the time.

I used to live in Tidewater Virginia (specifically in Newport News, but I spent quite a bit of time in Norfolk).  I suspect the museum Mr. Baker remembers is the MacArthur Memorial, which is located right smack in the middle of downtown Norfolk.  There are plenty of signs to help find it.

The Tidewater area is full of museums; which ones are most worth visiting really depends on what your interests are.  The Virginia Aviation Museum (I hope I have the name right) in downtown Hampton is very much worth a look.  So is the Virginia War Memorial Museum (ditto) in Newport News.  The Army operates a good-sized museum on the theme of Army transportation (including a big assortment of prototype trucks, jeeps, and other transport vehicles) at Ft. Eustis, a few miles up the Peninsula from Newport News.  And for ship enthusiasts, the joint where I used to work, the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, is a must-see. 

Down on the Norfolk waterfront is the U.S.S. Wisconsin.  She's parked next to a relatively new maritime museum called "Nauticus," which should hold any model enthusiast's interest for at least an hour or two.  Much of it is oriented toward glitzy, high-tech, interactive exhibits.

If your tastes run to museums about older subjects, you can easily spend a week in Tidewater and not see everything.  Williamsburg, Yorktown, Jamestown....

In the way of hobby shops, I strongly recommend Denbigh Hobbies, in Newport News.  The focus of the place is plastic models (though it carries such things as model railroad stuff as well).  The proprietor, an old friend of mine, is a retired air traffic controller with a long, long interest in model aircraft; most of the models that cover the ceiling of the place are his work.  One of the best plastic-oriented shops I know - a "local hobby shop" in the best traditional sense.  How to find it:  http://local.yahoo.com/info-12852466-denbigh-hobby-center-newport-news .

USS Wisconsin and Hampton Roads Naval Museum, Norfolk 

MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk (General MacArthur and Jean are buried here)

Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach (fully restored aircraft)

Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton (local IPMS chapter meets here)

Virginia War Museum, Newport News (nice collections; right down the street from the Mariners' Museum)

The Mariners' Museum, Newport News (USS Monitor on display; right up the street from the VA War Museum)

US Army Transportation Museum, Ft. Eustis (Newport News)

Come back in a couple of months for the Warbirds Over the Beach Show, May 16-17:

 

 

Also check out the Fort Monroe Casemate Museum in Hampton, the Naval Station tour in Norfolk and if you want, the Jamestown Exhibition, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Yorktown Battlefield. There are about a gazillion historical markers in this area. And as far as the Mariner's Museum that the the good Professor Tilley mentioned; it's got the engine and turret from the USS Monitor fer cryin' out loud. That, in itself, is a great reason to go there.

you could also take a bout an hour drive south and visit the USS North Carolina. I forget what city it's in but I think it's worth the drive, but you should definately check out the Wisconsin.

The North Carolina is docked at Wilmington, NC.  According to an old Mobil Travel Guide that I happen to have beside the computer, Wilmington is 240 miles from Norfolk, with a driving time of four hours and forty-eight minutes.

As a matter of fact the North Carolina is going to be paying a visit to Tidewater Virginia in the fairly near future.  Her hull is leaking, and she's to be towed up to Newport News Shipbuilding for an overhaul.  I'm not sure just when that's going to happen - or where the money is going to come from; the ship's management is sure it's going to happen, but so far as I know the date hasn't been set.  The current state budget crisis may well slow it down.

I've driven past the Wisconsin quite a few times, but have never been able to stop and go on board her.  As I understand it, most of the interior spaces are sealed up; the public has access only to a few of the weather decks.  (Maybe somebody who's actually visited her can correct me on that.)  Some of the North Carolina's compartments are off-limits to the public too, but the standard tour takes you from the engine rooms to the bridge.  Definitely worth the trip - but I'm not sure I'd try to make Wilmington a side trip of an expedition to Norfolk.

jtilley wrote:

Down on the Norfolk waterfront is the U.S.S. Wisconsin.  She's parked next to a relatively new maritime museum called "Nauticus," which should hold any model enthusiast's interest for at least an hour or two.  Much of it is oriented toward glitzy, high-tech, interactive exhibits.

 I was there this past summer and enjoyed it immensely. Part of the museum is run by the U. S. Navy, and is free to the public. That part has a wonderful gallery full of wooden ship models that are simply beautiful. There's a model maker who works there on Tuesdays and talks to the visitors.

Natrually, visiting the Wisconsin is pretty neat too. But as John says, the only spaces open are the weather deck and sometimes the upper decks.

Regards, 

jtilley wrote:

The North Carolina is docked at Wilmington, NC.  According to an old Mobil Travel Guide that I happen to have beside the computer, Wilmington is 240 miles from Norfolk, with a driving time of four hours and forty-eight minutes. As a matter of fact the North Carolina is going to be paying a visit to Tidewater Virginia in the fairly near future.  Her hull is leaking, and she's to be towed up to Newport News Shipbuilding for an overhaul.  I'm not sure just when that's going to happen - or where the money is going to come from; the ship's management is sure it's going to happen, but so far as I know the date hasn't been set.  The current state budget crisis may well slow it down. I've driven past the Wisconsin quite a few times, but have never been able to stop and go on board her.  As I understand it, most of the interior spaces are sealed up; the public has access only to a few of the weather decks.  (Maybe somebody who's actually visited her can correct me on that.)  Some of the North Carolina's compartments are off-limits to the public too, but the standard tour takes you from the engine rooms to the bridge.  Definitely worth the trip - but I'm not sure I'd try to make Wilmington a side trip of an expedition to Norfolk.

I am embarrassed to say that I haven't been on board the Wisconsin since they moored her at Nauticus. I did work on her prior to her being closed up for preservation (dehumidifiers are the main reason she is sealed off, she is actually still in reserve and not really a museum piece) and pretty much had the run of her interior. She is in first class shape and could reactivated in a relatively short amount of time. Supposedly the Iowa is too. I guess I really should get off of my dead butt and check her out. The North Carolina is a fantastic exhibit but is a long haul from Norfolk.

Thanks everyone!!!  My wife and I both are excited about the trip and going to the Mac muesuem!  Yes, she actually likes to go to some things like that.  I am lucky!  And I will be going to the local hobby shops!!  Thanks again!

scorpr2 wrote:

Thanks everyone!!!  My wife and I both are excited about the trip and going to the Mac muesuem!  Yes, she actually likes to go to some things like that.  I am lucky!  And I will be going to the local hobby shops!!  Thanks again!

The "local hobby shops" sorta stink around here, but check them out if you must. Just don't waste too much time looking for them.

Well, I made it up to Norfolk.  I did check out Denbigh's Hobby Center, it was nice!  Picked up an F/A-18 F in 1/48 for about $23.00!  I thought that was pretty good.  They had a lot of models, but they're kind of pricey.  I haven't been able to find any other shops around here!  Any suggestions in the Tidewater area?