Want to see the house where
the parents of President Grover Cleveland lived before his birth? Do you
know which Portsmouth church still contains the original hand-hewn pews
built by slaves? Discover these interesting sites - and dozens others -
on one of several tours available of Portsmouth's historic Cilde Towne:
- A narrated Trolley Tour of Olde Towne
Trophy Park, which lasts about an hour, is offered throughout the summer.
The trolley follows a route similar to that found on the walking tour
but also includes a stop at Trophy Park
inside the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The park contains naval weaponry
and artifacts from nine wars, spanning more than 225 years. Call (757)
393-5111 for more information.
- Increasing in popularity each year is the
Olde Towne Lantern Tour, a twilight walking tour of the historic district
led by escorts in period attire. On this one-hour tour, visitors get
a taste of Olde Towne legends and folklore, but also get a quick lesson
in the district's unique architectural styles, which include Colonial,
Federal, Greek Revival, Georgian and Victorian. Call (757) 393-5111
for more information.
- To learn more about Portsmouth's rich ethnic
heritage, take the African-American Heritage Trolley Tour, arranged
for groups of 25 or more. Through narrated commentary, visitors learn
about such notables as Sissieretta Matilda Jones, the Portsmouth-born
African American soprano who was invited to sing at the White House
in 1892 by President Benjamin Harrison. Along the tour route, the trolley
makes two stops to allow passengers to venture inside Emanuel AME Church,
which was built by slaves, and the Art Atrium 11, which features exhibitions
by regional black artists, as well as arts and crafts from Africa. Call
(757) 393-5327 for more information.
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