FDR at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard

On this Inauguration Day, we post a photo of President Franklin Roosevelt at the Norfolk Navy Yard during his 1940 tour of Hampton Roads' military facilities. Norfolk Navy Yard was one of many facilities that received millions of dollars from New Deal programs. FDR's purpose in visiting Hampton Roads was to shore up support for these programs that had been criticized for granting too much authority to the President. A full transcript of the visit can be read at our website http://www.hrnm.navy.mil/daybooks/Volume13Issue1.pdf

McClure Field

This is the original 1918 plan for the "Athletic Field" for the brand new Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads (what is now called Naval Station Norfolk.) It was originally designed to be a baseball field, a field for six on six football, and for track and field events. Renamed "McClure Field" in 1944, after Captain Henry McClure (local base commander, 1923 Navy Cross recipient, and huge baseball fan), the facility is still standing. We believe it is the second oldest brick baseball stadium in America (Wrigley Field we believe is the only one older).

The museum is currently working on a permanent exhibit at McClure Field along with an interactive web module. You can see some pictures of the Field at our website.

New Education Planner for 2009 Now Online

The museum's education planner for 2009 is now online. See it at http://www.hrnm.navy.mil/hrnmedplanner2009.pdf.

Inside, teachers will find the many offerings the museum has for grade school education (we will even come to your class!), summer teacher workshops, and ongoing public programs in the museum. All grade school and public programs are SOL-based and are free of charge.