The Norfolk History Museum at the Willoughby-Baylor House

Norfolk History Museum

601 E. Freemason Street
Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Phone (757) 333-1087
Fax (757) 333-1089

HOURS
Friday—Sunday
Noon—4 p.m.

The Norfolk History Museum is located at the Willoughby-Baylor House.

That home was built in 1794 by Captain William Willoughby, a descendant of English immigrant Captain Thomas Willoughby I, who was the recipient of a 1636 Royal grant of 200 acres – 50 of which would become the town of Norfolk in 1682. Before William Willoughby built this townhouse in 1794, the site was occupied by a Masonic Lodge that gave Freemason Street its name.

The house remained in the family until 1890, when it was sold. Over time the house fell into decline and was slated for demolition until it was bought and restored by the Norfolk Historical Foundation in the early 1960s. It has been under the care of the Chrysler Museum of Art since 1969 and officially opened as the Norfolk History Museum on September, 2005.

Today, the Museum contains a number of historically significant objects from the Chrysler Museum’s permanent collection, as well as treasures from other institutions and private citizens.

The garden, designed by Siska Aurand Landscape Architects, was installed in 1991 and represents the most current understanding of colonial landscaping.