Visit Hampton, VA: The Historic Black Beaches Exhibit
Date Posted: January 17, 2022
Source: WAVY TV-10

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Hampton, VA - Dive deep into the rich history of Hampton Roads with ‘The Historic Black Beaches: Bay Shore and Other Memorable Sands’ exhibit chronicling the resort’s growth in the early 20th century.

The Hampton History Museum offers the exhibit titled, “Historic Black Beaches: Bay Shore and Other Memorable Sands,” which will run through Feb. 27.

Items include a 1948 carousel horse and 1940s fire engine from a ride at Bay Shore’s Kiddie Land amusement area, wooden Skee-Balls from its arcade, a guitar strummed by popular musician Chuck Chavis, beachwear from the 1920s to 1950s, a café booth from a restaurant at Chowan Beach in Hertford County, North Carolina, and multiple admission tickets and tokens.

“Even in the face of segregation and discrimination, African Americans were able to create and manage these rich cultural and entertainment venues,” said museum curator Allen Hoilman. “And they thrived. They were real destinations.”

The exhibition combines artifacts and photographs from the museum and Robinson’s personal collection with a traveling exhibit titled “Memorable Sands,” on loan from the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City. The exhibition will highlight Bay Shore, Seaview and four beaches in northeastern North Carolina.

Curator at Hampton History Museum, Allen Hoilman, scratches the surface of what you can learn inside the Hampton History Museum.

The Hampton History Museum is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in Downtown Hampton.

There is plenty of free parking in the garage across from the museum. Open Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed major holidays. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, active military, active NASA, AAA, children 4-12, free to children under 4.

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