Virtually Tour Hampton’s Black Heritage Sites


We invite you to virtually visit Hampton, Virginia’s Black history and heritage sites! You can now virtually explore the Hampton University Museum, Historic Fort Monroe, and Hampton History Museum. Explore these locations wherever and whenever you want to learn more about Black history, Hampton history and American history.  

Hampton University Museum 

Experience centuries of culture and art when visiting the oldest African-American museum in the nation. The Hampton University Museum contains more than 9,000 objects representing people and cultures from all over the world. Within its fine arts collection is the largest existing collection of works in any museum by the artists John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence and Samella Lewis.

Although the Hampton University Museum is currently closed, there is still much to experience online! Join in on art activities for the kids, virtual discussions, and close-looks at photographs and artwork in the collection. Also take a virtual tour of the permanent and changing exhibitions. It’ll feel just like you’re there!

Hampton University Campus 

Hampton University opened in 1868 as the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. It’s mission was to educate thousands of newly freed people. Today, Hampton University is one of the nation’s top-ranked private universities. Virtually tour this historic campus, Legacy Park, Emancipation Oak, and more as you learn about its significance to Hampton’s history. 

Hampton History Museum

Take a virtual tour of the galleries and exhibits at the Hampton History Museum. During the virtual tour you can explore the Kecoughtan Indian longhouse, pass through the hold of a tobacco ship, learn about the first African Arrival in 1619, and visit the ruins of the city burned to the ground during the Civil War. Want to learn more? Don’t miss the Hampton History Museum’s “Clips with the Curator” videos on Facebook

Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe illustrates the “Arc of Freedom.” The first documented Africans in English North America landed on Virginia soil at Point Comfort, present-day Fort Monroe, in 1619. And 242 years later, in 1861, three enslaved men escaped to Fort Monroe and were accepted at the Fort as “contraband of war”, and were not returned to their owners. Many more would follow them. Later nicknamed “Freedom Fortress”, Fort Monroe is filled with over 400 years of history to explore.

No matter where you live, you can learn about the 400 years of history from your phone or computer. Explore the Civil War Markers, Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center, Casemate Museum, and other monumental locations in Fort Monroe. You can also download a copy of the Fort Monroe Walking Tour Brochure to learn about Fort Monroe’s history while you virtually tour the fort.