Previous Exhibitions

Chesapeake Bay Gallery The spectacular first-order lighthouse lens from the Cape Charles lighthouse welcomed visitors to The Mariners' facinating Chesapeake Bay gallery. Thematic exhibit areas interpret the Bays' early history, watermen, shipbuilding and military complexes, navigation, commerce, and recreation. Historical photographys, a working steam engine, fiber-optic maps, videos and hands-on activities complemented the hundreds of maritime artifacts. View Gallery
Endangered Species Today’s watermen are faced with environmental regulations, declining oyster, blue crab, and fish populations, and the increasingly endangered waters of the nation’s largest estuary. Because the declining fishing and crabbing industries are on the verge of collapse, so too are the livelihoods and way of life of these watermen and women. Photographer, Glen McClure, has captured the power, dignity, and spirit of these watermen in his striking portraits of what could be an “endangered species.” learn more
Message in a Bottle Message in a Bottle highlights the work from photographers who have explored the phenomenon of American consumerism and its environmental impact. learn more
Battle of Hampton Roads Juried Youth Art Exhibition The Mariners’ Museum & NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary present a juried youth art competition with art inspired by the Battle of Hampton Roads, the USS Monitor or the CSS Virginia. learn more
Building Better Ships Explore Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in the 1930s through the murals of artist Thomas C. Skinner in our new exhibit. learn more
Stationary Voyages: The Boat in Photograph Stationary Voyages: The Boat in Photograph explores boats as objects of art, interpreted through contemporary photographs. learn more