Visitor Programs

Costumed Interpreters

Are you interested in meeting a sailor serving aboard the USS Monitor during the Civil War? How about stepping back in time to learn about the pirates who terrorized the coast before the American Revolution? Maybe your interests lean more toward the Age of Exploration and the forces that drove this culture-changing period in history. Or, perhaps you're more interested in listening as a lighthouse keeper describes shipwrecks and sea rescues along the Chesapeake Bay!

It's all at The Mariners' Museum as interpreters discuss these popular maritime subjects and the sea's impact on our world. Visit The Mariners' Museum to discover who you'll meet every second and last Saturday of the month.

For more information about these programs, please call (757) 591-7743 or email interpreters@MarinersMuseum.org.

Self-Guided Experiences

The Mariners' Museum Backpack Program contains all you need for a self-guided walk of the Noland Trail, from information on the history of the park, plants and animals, and environmental concerns. Families, homeschoolers, and small student groups (such as Girl and Boy Scout troops, and youth groups) can test Lake Maury's water for pollutants and record their findings, learn about the migratory birds that frequent the lake and about Virginia's native trees. Information on preventing urban water pollution is available to take home.

Backpacks can be checked out from the Museum's admissions desk from 10 A.M. until 3 P.M. daily (except on days the Museum is closed), and must be returned by 4:45 P.M. the same day. The responsible party must be 18 years old or older and provide a pictured ID to be held while the backpack is in use. Users must provide their own pencils and any items they require to walk a 5-½ mile hiking trail. For more information call (757) 591-7745.

Use of the backpack is free of charge thanks to the generous support from The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.

Seabag Tour is a hands-on scavenger hunt through the USS Monitor Center. Using objects in the sea bag, visitors will be able to explore the story of the creation, battle, life aboard, sinking, rediscovery, and conservation of the USS Monitor. They will discover why the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia made history and are still celebrated today. The scavenger hunt will last about 2 hours and is appropriate for children ages 6-12.

Adults may check out the sea bag at the admissions desk between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. The sea bag is free with Museum admission. The responsible party (18 or older) will be required to leave a driver's licenses or credit card to check the sea bag out. For questions on the sea bag program call (757) 591-7744.

Scavenger Hunts in the galleries of The Mariners' Museum are a fun way for families to explore the Museum while leaning new facts about our maritime past. Scavenger Hunts are available at the front desk and are free with Museum admission.