Mission: The Hampton History Museum works every day to build a better future by exploring and preserving our past. Our collection, exhibitions, lectures, cultural presentations, educational activities, oral histories, and other programs, are part of our overall strategy to share the full story of our past and learn from it to understand the present.
Vision: The Hampton History Museum seeks to deepen the understanding of past choices, present circumstances, and future possibilities; as well as strengthen the bonds between us through understanding. We believe history and the resulting conversations began at the Museum will reverberate throughout the community as it discusses how to tackle the challenges of today.
We believe, at their best, history museums are trusted community partners and should go beyond providing answers alone. They should also inspire the questions our history raises and therefore create opportunities to discuss meaning. History or our collective memory is how we become a community as we share stories, ideas and beliefs and come together in the process.
We have 4 key areas of focus:
Community: We are committed to fostering a strong and healthy community
Education: We create experiences that encourage people to learn about history and consider the perspective of others.
Integrity: We facilitate public examination of the past to create mutual appreciation of differing points of view, discovery of shared meaning and awareness of common ground and the our shared future.
Stewardship: We preserve and protect the past through our collection and also serve our obligation to have a positive impact on the City of Hampton and the Hampton Roads region.
View Hampton History on Video
Access videos on various topics related to Hampton's History.