Portsmouth - Bursting with History



Portsmouth, Virginia was founded as a port city in 1752 by Colonel William Crawford.  Rich in history, Portsmouth boasts a heritage of maritime and military history – traces of which can be found on every corner of the original town, known as Olde Towne.  As a nod to the city's British origins, the sister city of Portsmouth is located in England and the streets today still bear the original British names such as London and Glasgow. 

As a testament to its nautical and military beginnings, Portsmouth claims for its own the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (actually in Portsmouth!), one of the country's oldest and largest.  In addition, the U.S. Naval Medical Center is the Navy's oldest hospital still in operation.  The modern medical facility is beyond its own time with a first-class birthing center and excellent surgical and trauma facilities.
 
The city of Portsmouth today is a result of the “Vision 2005” projects put forth by the city council in 1995. In the ten years since the implementation of “Vision 2005,” the city has seen a dramatic increase in the construction and redevelopment of areas that had declined in the last two decades.  In mid-town Portsmouth, a retail area known as Mid-City was recently razed to make way for the brand new Super Wal-Mart (coming in the fall of 2006!) In 2001, downtown Portsmouth was the site of the opening of the NTelos Pavilion at Harbor Center, a 6,000+ capacity venue that offers visitors an intimate concert-going experience with state-of-the-art acoustics.

If it's baseball you love, take the Elizabeth River Ferry at High Street Landing over to one of the nightly Tides games in Tides Stadium in Norfolk.  The Ferry, which is the oldest continually operating public transportation system in America, is a two-deck paddle-wheel ferry that serves to connect Olde Towne to downtown Norfolk.

For music lovers, Olde Towne is the place to be!  The neighborhood restaurants offer local entertainment on a weekly basis.  The TodiMusicFest is a highly anticipated summertime series in southeastern Virginia because it continues to wow audiences with a stimulating array of first class productions for the entire family.  For twelve glorious days in late July, at venues across the region, lovers of the arts will have their passions fulfilled by the sounds of timeless music, the sights of sensual dance and the tastes of Italian delicacies.  From opera to jazz, Broadway to biscotti TodiMusicFest has it all.  It's a tradition worth starting or keeping.  The NTelos Pavilion at Harbor Center in Olde Towne is a 6,000+ capacity venue that offers visitors an intimate concert-going experience with state-of-the-art acoustics.

In the continued effort to revitalize its historic districts, preserve the past and strengthen the city's future, Mayor James Holley and the council have created yet another vision – “Vision 2025.”  From unsurpassed health care to an abundance of employment opportunities, Portsmouth is consistently growing and improving. 

For those with a love of local history, Olde Towne offers visitors and residents alike the opportunity to experience “living history” on a daily basis. The Olde Towne Civic League, in an effort to bring to light the neighborhood's rich architectural heritage, regularly sponsors walking tours, evening lantern tours, holiday open houses (in which residents share their Southern hospitality by opening their homes to visitors), and the oh-so-famous Ghost Walk during which local residents and history buffs re-enact some of Olde Towne’s most famous ghost stories!  In keeping with the local tradition of history appreciation, Olde Towne offers several authentic Bed and Breakfasts within the original homes of the town.
 
In addition to walking the streets of Olde Towne and appreciating its lovely homes and cobbled sidewalks, this neighborhood offers an abundance of restaurants and shops to cater to every taste.  From seafood to American to fusion, the restaurants of Olde Towne are second to none and every local has their favorite!  High Street, the famous main street of Portsmouth, features an array of antique shops, unique gift stores and of course, the Children’s Museum – cited as one of the best interactive and educational (and of course, fun!) museums for children in the state of Virginia!  In addition to the Children’s Museum, Portsmouth features the Courthouse Galleries, with exciting monthly art exhibits from glass-blown pieces to painting to sculpture.  Classes in various fine arts are also offered to those interested in learning about the crafts.  The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, which recently hosted its grand opening in April 2005, is fun for adults and kids alike.  Family-oriented, the museum honors over 200 Virginia athletes and features interactive and educational programs for local students.
 
Portsmouth's housing market is comprised of mostly older homes, many of which are located within its six nationally registered historic districts.  There is very little new construction being developed.  One exception to this, however, is an approximately 200-home subdivision that is being planned for the site of the former Fairwood Homes development.  Fairwood Homes were built in the post WWII era, to accommodate the growing numbers of military and shipyard workers and their families.  The land on which the homes once stood has been purchased by Portsmouth recently with plans to revitalize the area and provide affordable housing for its citizens.
  
Portsmouth offers the chance for visitors and residents alike to participate in reliving the city's storied past and the opportunity to actively create its promising future. So stop by for a visit and fall in love with one of the cities featured prominently in the National Register of Historic Places!