The Old Coast Guard Station is a fascinating museum that shares information on the state’s coastal communities and maritime culture. The building, which has a whitewashed façade and narrow columns, dates back to 1903 and has become an iconic Virginia Beach landmark. Attend lectures and speak with guides for a deeper knowledge of the U.S. coasts.
Arrive and perform the customary handshake with the wooden fisherman on the porch. Take a guided tour for a comprehensive overview of the museum and its themes. The friendly docents will tell you about coastal storms, shipwrecks and rescue missions that took place before the invention of modern navigational machinery. Read the plaques and admire the photos that tell the stories.
Learn about the United States Lifesaving Service, inaugurated in the 19th century to reduce shipwreck fatalities. Use the photo displays to imagine a typical day for these early lifesavers. The museum contains several outdated objects and vehicles used to rescue people at sea, such as a rusty four-person life car and the surfboat.
Find out about the United States Coast Guard, which is a military branch of the United States Armed Forces. Browse the various temporary exhibits that are set up here, with such titles as African-Americans in the Coast Guard and The U.S. Coast Guard in Film. Certain exhibits and lectures are held in the auditorium of the nearby Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.
Peruse the items on display in the gift shop, featuring jewelry, clothing, books and games. Get involved in the Shipwrecks and Ghost Lore walk with a costumed docent to learn about the legends of Virginia Beach.
The museum is open daily from morning until late afternoon. Note that it is closed on Mondays in winter. There is a small entrance fee.
The Old Coast Guard Station is in the heart of Virginia Beach. Walk north from the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier for 15 minutes to reach this historic beachside site. Visit nearby attractions, such as 24th Street Park, the Naval Aviation Monument Park and Pirates Paradise Mini Golf.
