3 Best Landmarks in Hampton, VA

“Fort Monroe National Monument has various histories spanning the American story, beginning with the presence of American Indians. Captain John Smith's journeys, the first arrival of enslaved Africans in English North America, a haven for freedom seekers during the American Civil War, and a bastion of defense for the Chesapeake Bay into the 21st century. Fort Monroe originally guarded the navigation channel between the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads, the natural roadstead at the Elizabeth, Nansemond, and James rivers. The monument is managed by a partnership between the Fort Monroe Authority for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the National Park Service as the Fort Monroe National Monument, and the City of Hampton, which is a former military installation in Hampton, Virginia.”

“Hampton University Museum features fine arts and exhibits on the University's history, founded in 1868. The museum collections feature over 9,000 objects, including African American fine arts, traditional African, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Island, and Asian art, as well as objects relating to the history of the University. The museum's fine arts collection is one of the most extensive collections of works in any museum. The University Museum aims to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and interpret artifacts and works of traditional art. The art illustrates the cultures, heritages, and histories of African, Native American, Oceanic, and Asian peoples, as well as the results of contemporary African American, African, and American Indian artists and three-dimensional objects related to the history and significance of Hampton University.”

“Hampton Public Library offers various services and information to residents, businesses, and visitors. The Library began in 1926 as Virginia's first free county library. Today the library system includes the Main Library and three branch libraries, including Northampton, Willow Oaks, and Phoebus. The Library provides kids with reading, summer programs, interactive crafts, storytelling, and more activities. Their DVD collection here is also awe-inspiring. Their staff is always friendly and helpful. Their services include new books, eBooks, paperbacks, books on individual MP3 players, audiocassettes or CDs, music CDs, DVDs, large-print books, research material, and programs and activities. They also provide free public computers and wireless internet.”