Learn about the trailblazing talents and accomplishments of photographer Walker Evans.

We're on a mission to uncover the stories behind photos from the Ellis Parker Griffith Collection that were taken in Newport News, VA. 

After the Battle of Hampton Roads, USS Monitor gained the title of "The little ship that saved the nation".  The ship's newfound fame set off a "Monitor Craze" in the US, as hosts of vessels emerged with the same name. 

During WWII, many women answered the call of military service through enlistment into the WAVES. Marjorie Pollard was one of those women, and — despite widespread stigma about homosexuals in military service during the 1940s and 1950s— she may have also been part of the LGBTQ+ community.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we recognize Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy, the first Asian American woman to join the Navy’s WAVES during WWII, breaking barriers while serving her country in a time of war.

Through grant funding, The Mariners' is working to digitize and preserve a host of photo negatives, including the remarkable photographic work of John Frye, whose collection captures the heart of the menhaden fishing industry in Chesapeake Bay. Frye’s vivid notes and 7,000+ negatives offer a glimpse into the daily lives of Chesapeake Bay watermen in the 1960s-1980s. 

Our Curatorial Team explores the powerful image of a baptism captured in 1914 on the James River in Newport News, VA, shedding light on the deep, enduring connection Black Americans have had with water. Through this historical photograph, we reflect on the rich cultural and spiritual ties to water that have shaped African American history, and how these traditions continue to influence and resonate today.

Is it a boat? Or an airplane? Perhaps both. Thomas Lake's patented pontoon-hydroplane boat is a testament to the imaginations of past inventors whose ideas paved the way for future vessels.

In this notable edition of Beyond the Frame, we explore the story of the 613-foot passenger Liner, S.S. Virginia, and the dedicated shipbuilders who, for over a century, made these feats of engineering a reality. We immerse ourselves in the unforgettable experience of watching as the ship begins to slip free of the ways. And, we discover what it's like to experience this moment of culmination from current shipbuilders who have spent decades working with these amazing vessels alongside their fellow shipbuilders. Read the full blog for exciting news about happenings at The Mariners'!