The norfolk History museum at the willoughby-baylor house

As a new and exciting cultural and community resource for all of Hampton Roads, the Chrysler Museum of Art opened the Norfolk History Museum at the Willoughby-Baylor House on September 10, 2005.

Fully renovated in order to reveal the range and richness of our region’s history, the Museum provides engaging thematic exhibits and offerings which survey the history of Norfolk and Hampton Roads. Some of the themes which are examined and illuminated are:

• the early story of Norfolk and its appearance at various stages in its long history as an international port and maritime center, along with the area’s impressive naval and military heritage,

• the decorative arts of Norfolk and the region, including furniture and silver,

• a look at key public buildings and residences in the city at different moments in its history.

The new museum’s first exhibition will complement the Chrysler’s exhibition Behind the Seen: The Chrysler’s Hidden Museum (Oct. 21, 2005 through Feb. 19, 2006). The majority of the objects on display in this first show come from the Chrysler’s permanent collection, along with a number of significant loans; and the new facility also allows for presentations and a greatly expanded lecture series related to historical themes.

The lovely gardens which surround the Willoughby-Baylor House have also been restored, complete with period oyster-shell paving.

Admission is free to both the Norfolk History Museum and the nearby Moses Myers House. For more information, please contact the Freemason Street Reception Center at (757) 441-1526.

For general information, please call (757) 664-6200. For media information, please contact the Public Relations Department at (757) 333-6295 or publicrelations@chrysler.org.

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245 West Olney Road, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 757.664.6200