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Nauticus After Dark Is Back to Kick Off the March Madness Tournament

March 20, 2024

Explore Nauticus After Hours at this 21+ Slam Dunk Event

Norfolk, Va. – Nauticus has gone MAD for March Madness! The community is invited to join Nauticus at their first “Nauticus After Dark” event of the year this Thursday, March 21st from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Nauticus After Dark: Brackets & Brews offers basketball fans the opportunity to watch the first-round of the tournament games on the big screen in their 350-seat theater. Fans will also enjoy arcade basketball games, bracket competitions, gourmet hot dogs, game day drinks and so much more!

Event Highlights:

  • Livestream of the first round of the Men’s NCAA basketball games
  • Arcade basketball games to compete against your friends
  • Caricature artist, Bob Langston
  • Game day themed cocktails and bites 
  • Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, Corn Hole
  • Build your own sailboat races + win prizes
  • After Hours Exploration of Norfolk in Time, one of Nauticus’ newest exhibits
  • && more!

Nauticus After Dark tickets are $5 per person for Nauticus Members and $15 per person for non-members ($25 at the door). Tickets can be purchased here.

About Nauticus

Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk, VA, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to STERN programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military. Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501©3 that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences, and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

Nauticus to Honor Women in Maritime during Women’s History Month

March 20, 2024

Reduced admission to $12 on Saturday, March 16th 

Norfolk, Va. — Nauticus’ Women’s History Month celebration focuses on women that have made remarkable contributions to the maritime industry. A variety of maritime based activities, crafts, and programs will be presented inside Nauticus and on the Battleship Wisconsin. 

“On Saturday, guests will engage with and learn from local women who have excelled in the maritime industry,” said Nathan Sandel, Director of Education at Nauticus.

We are proud to offer our visitors reduced, $12 general admission on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

In addition to visiting Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin on Women in Maritime Day, guests can:

10AM – 4PM: Meet the Women of Norfolk’s NOAA – Come learn about NOAA, finding shipwrecks, charting, and even make your own chart!
10AM – 4PM: Meet the Women of Norfolk Naval Shipyard – Engage with the women of Norfolk Naval Shipyard with production demonstrations, snap circuits, production tooling and more.
10AM – 4PM: Meet and Greet with Her Helm – Come learn about the stories and view the portraits of women boat captains across the Chesapeake Bay. By recognizing and celebrating these women, we are providing support for girls and women to find inspiration in the maritime world.
10AM – 4PM: Meet the Women of the United States Coast Guard– Explore Coast Guard Station Portsmouth’s 29-foot response boat-small and talk to Coast Guard personnel on site that day.
11AM – 1PM: Meet Susz Hodges, Chief Mate of Schooner Virginia– Join the Chief Mate of Schooner Virginia on the fantail of the Wisconsin to learn more about Sail Nauticus and try your hand at reading nautical charts. In this walk-up activity, guests will be encouraged to get their hands on navigational equipment to better understand how ships plan safe passages. Susz Hodges has her 100-ton USCG Captain’s License with sail endorsement and has sailed in the Pacific Northwest, U.S. Virgin Islands, and along the East Coast. 
11AM & 2PM: Water Quality Add On (Only $5 per person!)– Uncover the pivotal role water quality plays in our community and learn hands-on techniques for tracking local waterway health through testing and sampling. Join us in preserving and understanding the vitality of our water ecosystems. Don’t miss this chance to actively engage in environmental stewardship!
12:30PM – 1:30PM: Tunnel Talk: A Very Boring Podcast – Join us for a live recording of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project hit podcast where they will be displaying the impressive model of the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine).

Thank you to our community partners for Women in Maritime Day: NOAA, Her Helm, United States Coast Guard, Hampton Roads Expansion Project, and Norfolk Naval Shipyard!

To purchase tickets to Women in Maritime Day at Nauticus, please click here.

Plan Your Visit
Nauticus is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Paid admission includes access to the Nauticus museum, special programming, and the Battleship Wisconsin. As always, Nauticus members are free. Tickets and additional details are available online here.

About Nauticus
Women in Maritime Day and additional exhibits are supported by the Nauticus Foundation. The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501©3 that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences, and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

Nauticus to Honor Norfolk Native, William Roscoe Davis, In Celebration of Black History Month 

March 20, 2024

Esteemed Speakers from local HBCU’s featured in Free “EdTalk” Lecture Series

Norfolk, Va. (February 13, 2024) – In celebration of Black History Month, Nauticus invites the community to join them on February 22 at 6PM as they kick off their free “EdTalk” lecture series titled “Beacon of History: Illuminating the Past, Igniting the Future”.

The event will feature esteemed speakers, Dr. William Wiggins (Hampton University) and Dr. Colita Fairfax (Norfolk State University), who will explore the remarkable journey of William Roscoe Davis, born a slave in Norfolk, who escaped to Fort Monroe during the Civil War and became a pivotal figure as the head lighthouse keeper at Old Point Comfort.

Dr. Wiggins and Dr. Fairfax will discuss the little-told narrative of Davis as “contraband” and how his resilience and contributions illuminate a significant chapter in African American history. The speakers will share their efforts to locate Davis’s final resting place, shedding light on the importance of preserving African American cemeteries and honoring the legacies of those who paved the way.

This event is free and open to the public, space is limited, and reservations are required. Reserve your seat here.

About the Speakers 
Dr. William Wiggins is a historian and scholar who taught at University of Connecticut, St. Olaf and Allegheny Colleges, Hampton University and Columbia University where he also served as an Assistant Dean. Dr. Colita Fairfax is a Professor, Honors College Senior Faculty Fellow, and an inaugural faculty scholar in the Center for African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University.

About Nauticus  
Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk, VA, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to STERN programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military. The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501©3 that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences, and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

Nauticus Connects Students to Maritime Jobs with New Program

March 20, 2024

More than 1,500 students participate in first-of-its-kind STEM to STERN initiative.

Norfolk, Va.— Title 1 schools in Norfolk and Hampton will be among the first to participate in Nauticus’ newly-created program that introduces young students to the vast number of jobs and careers associated with the region’s maritime community.  The first-of-its-kind STEM to STERN Careers Program aligns with Nauticus’ transformational $21.5 million redesign project (“Reimagine Nauticus”).  After participating in educator-led classroom sessions, students will explore Nauticus’ newly designed galleries where they’ll practice welding a ship’s hull, discover diverse careers, and gain a better understanding of the region’s maritime industry.  Earlier this month, the Virginia Maritime Association cited a new study that indicates one in five jobs in Virginia, nearly 730,000 in total, are linked to the maritime community.     

Made possible through grant awards totaling more than $50,000 from the COVA STEM Ecosystem and Howmet Aerospace Foundation, more than 1,500 fourth graders will be first to experience this free instructor-led education series.

“We’re a maritime discovery center committed to introducing local students to meaningful, well-paying jobs along this waterfront,” said Nauticus Director of Education & Community Engagement, Nathan Sandel.  “The STEM to STERN Careers Program eliminates so many perceived obstacles.  We provide the education, we provide the transportation, and we provide the inspiration.”  

Southside STEM Academy, Compass Academy at Ruffner, Lake Taylor School, and Crossroads School are among the first schools to participate in the program throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

About Nauticus
The STEM to STERN Careers program and other initiatives are made possible through the Nauticus Foundation.  The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501©3 that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences, and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

About Reimagine Nauticus
To learn more about the Reimagine Nauticus campaign or to see current updates about the project, please visit https://nauticus.org/reimagine-nauticus/

First-Ever Community Night at WinterFest on the Wisconsin

March 20, 2024

60% Admission Reduction Coincides with Grand Illumination Parade.

Norfolk, Va. (Nov. 14, 2023) — Hampton Roads’ newest holiday tradition, WinterFest on the Wisconsin, is inviting the 757 to come celebrate this Saturday, November 18th, with a special $7.57 admission price.  The community-focused initiative is timed to coincide with Downtown Norfolk’s longtime holiday spectacular, the Grand Illumination Parade, and represents a 60% savings for visitors.  

“We’ve deeply discounted these tickets on a premium Saturday night as a way to say, ‘thank you’ to a community that supports us all year long,” said Nauticus executive director, Stephen Kirkland.  “With thousands of visitors downtown for the parade, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to open our doors as widely as possible.” 

This $7.57 admission offer applies to adults and children and is valid only for Saturday, November 18th. Tickets purchased for November 18th can not be exchanged to a different night or refunded due to the difference in price. No other admission discounts can be combined with this promotional rate.

Can’t make it this Saturday? WinterFest’s general admission and member tickets are on sale until January 1. Book your night to discover your holiday spirit exploring this dazzling, waterfront illumination festival featuring more than one million lights.  

Plan Your Visit 

WinterFest on the Wisconsin runs November 10, 2023, to January 1, 2024, and is open on select nights throughout the holiday season. Pricing: $18.50 adult, $14.50 child general admission. Nauticus members receive a discounted rate of $5 off. 

About Nauticus 

Support for WinterFest on the Wisconsin directly benefits the Nauticus Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Funding provides interpretation and restoration of the Battleship Wisconsin and allows Nauticus to open new onboard spaces and experiential learning opportunities for students, families, and visitors. 

For more information, visit www.winterfestonthewisconsin.com or www.nauticus.org  

Nauticus’ WinterFest Features New Experiences, Entertainment, Illuminations

March 20, 2024

Battleship-Focused Holiday Festival Opens Veteran’s Day Weekend

Norfolk, Va. (Nov. 9, 2023) — New experiences await visitors this season as Nauticus reimagines its popular holiday festival, WinterFest on the Wisconsin.  Now in its fourth year, WinterFest has become a tradition for families throughout the Mid-Atlantic; last season more than 65,000 guests enjoyed the waterfront experience.  Appropriately, this season the event aboard the Battleship Wisconsin and across the Nauticus campus opens on Friday, November 10th in honor of Veteran’s Day weekend.

This holiday, WinterFest visitors can explore more than twice the below deck areas aboard the Battleship Wisconsin and for the first time ever, the Captain’s Cabin and Admiral’s Cabin are open for self-guided tours.  Guests will also enjoy all-new live entertainment, including a juggling show, magic show, and an elaborate puppet version of A Christmas Carol.  The waterfront journey begins inside the Mistletoe Marina, featuring an all-new lighted bridge experience, snowfall every hour, and a trip around the world with an all-new walking trail entitled NATO’s Passport to the Holidays.  Other additions include a s’mores station and a curated craft bar experience.  Aboard the battleship, Santa himself will light the region’s tallest floating Christmas tree.  

“We’ve been planning new concepts for this year’s WinterFest since January,” said Nauticus’ executive director, Stephen E. Kirkland. “Proceeds directly support the battleship and so this season is particularly important as we prepare to celebrate the ship’s eightieth birthday in April.”  

WinterFest on the Wisconsin kicks off on Friday, November 10th at 6:30PM. For the entire month of November, to celebrate the Hampton Roads military community, Nauticus is proud to present active-duty service members, veterans, and their families with $4 off WinterFest tickets. Military Appreciation tickets must be purchased online, and service members must provide a valid ID upon check-in. 

WinterFest general admission and member tickets are now on sale. Proceeds from WinterFest on the Wisconsin directly provide support to the Battleship Wisconsin through the Nauticus Foundation. Learn more at www.nauticus.org/support. 

Plan Your Visit

WinterFest on the Wisconsin runs November 10, 2023, to January 1, 2024, on select nights. General admission pricing is $18.50 for adults and $14.50 for children. Nauticus members receive the largest discount of $5 off tickets. Not a member? Join today.

WinterFest on the Wisconsin would not be possible without the support of its generous sponsors: TowneBank, The Perry Family Foundation, Centura College, Tidewater Tech, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Southern Kia Greenbrier, IPConfigure, Seaward Marine Services, MHI, The Taylor Foundation, Virginia Maritime Association, Hampton Roads Shipping Association, Mr. & Mrs. Howard Webb, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Festevents, Chesbay Distributing, Media Partner: WAVY TV 10, Fox 43, and Holiday Music Partner: 2WD 101.3 / Audacy.  

About Nauticus

Support for WinterFest on the Wisconsin directly benefits the Nauticus Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Funding provides interpretation and restoration of the Battleship Wisconsin and allows Nauticus to open new onboard spaces and experiential learning opportunities for students, families, and visitors.

For more information, visit www.winterfestonthewisconsin.com or www.nauticus.org

WinterFest Premieres Tree Forest Display Built by Local Students

March 20, 2024

Nauticus teams with Centura College, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, and Tidewater Tech for new winterscape design.

Norfolk, Va. (October 25, 2023) — A forest of beautiful, snow-covered trees will enchant guests throughout the holiday season at Nauticus’ Winterfest on the Wisconsin.  The display features dozens of hand-crafted tree silhouettes built by students at Centura College Norfolk and Tidewater Tech.  The trees range in sizes with many towering overhead at nearly ten feet tall.   

“Each year, WinterFest on the Wisconsin provides a showcase for the craftsmanship and artistry of our talented students,” said Director of Outreach & Development for Centura College, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, and Tidewater Tech, Ben Clark. “Creating an artistically-designed tree forest has been our most ambitious and exciting project yet.”

WinterFest on the Wisconsin has quickly become a Hampton Roads holiday tradition and attracts guests from throughout the mid-Atlantic.  This season, the six-week light extravaganza features all new entertainment, illuminations, and experiences.  WinterFest on the Wisconsin opens on Veterans Day weekend and throughout the entire month of November, active-duty military, veteran service members, and their families receive $4 off their ticket purchase thanks to the generous support of Centura College, the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), and Tidewater Tech.  

Military Appreciation tickets must be purchased online and service members must show valid ID upon check-in. This special discount is only available while supplies last, tickets can be reserved here.  

Support for WinterFest on the Wisconsin directly benefits the Nauticus Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Funding provides interpretation and restoration of the Battleship Wisconsin and allows Nauticus to open new onboard spaces and offer experiential learning opportunities for students, families and visitors.

Plan Your Visit

WinterFest on the Wisconsin runs November 10 through January 1 on select nights throughout the holiday season. General admission pricing is $18.50 for adults and $14.50 for children. Nauticus members receive a discounted rate of $5 off.  Visit www.winterfestonthewisconsin.com

For more information, visit www.winterfestonthewisconsin.com or www.nauticus.org

winterfest center college silhouettes
winterfest center college silhouettes
winterfest center college silhouettes
winterfest center college silhouettes

Nauticus After Dark: Mystery at the Museum

March 20, 2024

Experience this Mysterious Evening with Nauticus at this 21+ Only Event

Norfolk, Va. – Grab your friends and help solve the mystery at Nauticus on Thursday, October 19th. With a special after-hours event for adults 21+ only, Nauticus After Dark: Mystery at the Museum will feature Push Comedy Theater as they host their Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery show! 

Put on your detective hats and join Nauticus for this exciting and hilarious show while also exploring the interactive exhibits, sipping on the specialty cocktail, Murder at Midnight, by Bad n’ Boozy and enjoying tasty tacos by Codex. Purchase tickets here. 

Event Timeline:

VIP – Doors Open: 5:30 PM
General Admission – Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Unusual Suspects Show: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Tickets:

General Admission – $15
VIP Admission – $30 (Includes two drink tickets + expedited entry. Doors open at 5:30 PM for VIP)

Members – General Admission: $5
Members – VIP: $20

Purchase tickets here to become a detective for a night! (All ticket holders must be 21+. Valid ID will be checked upon arrival)

Schooner Virginia Brings First Place Trophy Home to Norfolk

March 20, 2024

Nauticus Foundation Celebrates Schooner Virginia’s Victory in 34th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.

Norfolk, VA — Nauticus is delighted to announce that the Schooner Virginia had a triumphant return to Norfolk this past weekend earning first place in the AA-Class of the 34th Annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR). Founded over three decades ago, the GCBSR is focused on promoting awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s maritime heritage and encouraging preservation of its resources—topics at the forefront of the Nauticus Foundation mission. 

After a busy summer season conducting educational day sails in Hampton Roads with visits to Cape Charles and Yorktown, Schooner Virginia spent most of September hauled out in Mystic, Connecticut for routine maintenance. She returned to the Chesapeake Bay last week to serve as Nauticus’ representative in this year’s GCBSR. 

This year, the Schooner Virginia was led by Captain Michael Fiorentino and represented by a crew of 22—comprised of 14 volunteers and eight paid mariners. Sarah Linden-Brooks, Director of Sail Nauticus said, “Virginia’s first-place win was made possible by the effort of our volunteers especially through the busy season. Their passion for sharing sailing with our community—be it an education day-sail or a race down the Chesapeake Bay—is what allows our program to succeed. It’s a labor of love, and we’re grateful for their commitment.” 

Virginia welcomed students aboard the vessel in Baltimore, Maryland last Wednesday, to engage in experiential educational programs sponsored by the race committee. Thursday morning, Virginia, and the three other vessels in her class, departed Baltimore for the start line off Annapolis, Maryland. The race had incredibly light wind which added to the challenge and complexity of this year’s event.

Virginia is part of a longstanding, friendly rivalry with the Pride of Baltimore II. Captain Fiorentino notes, “The close competition between the Virginiaand the Pride of Baltimore II has drawn attention to the broader goals of the GCBSR over the years. This rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement to the GCBSR. It’s a testament to the dedication and passion of both crews and elevates the overall experience of the race—igniting passions for our region’s maritime heritage.”

The Nauticus Foundation has been the steward of Schooner Virginia since 2016. Since coming to the Nauticus Foundation, Schooner Virginia has taken the top prize at the GCBSR twice, including earning the all-time course speed-record in 2018. Virginia will be on display as part of SailFest, the annual fundraiser to support Sail Nauticus, on Saturday, October 21.

About Sail Nauticus 

Support for Sail Nauticus directly benefits the Nauticus Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Funding provides a life-changing experience for underserved youth in our local community. Our mission is to inspire, instruct, and impact Hampton Roads kids through the use of sailing and maritime sciences. To learn more visit www.nauticus.org/sail-nauticus.

About Nauticus
Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk, VA, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to STERN programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military. The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501©3 that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences, and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

Nauticus Foundation Welcomes New Chief Financial Officer

March 20, 2024

Amy Owens brings more than two decades of experience in financial leadership.

Norfolk, Va. (October 10, 2023) – After a nationwide search, Nauticus is delighted to announce the hiring of Amy Owens, Chief Financial Officer. In her new role, Owens will help lead the Nauticus Foundation as progress continues on its “Reimagine Nauticus” project; a comprehensive redesign of all its exhibit gallery spaces.    

Owens is known for being well versed in spearheading financial management tasks that include budget development, competitive analysis, forecasting, reporting, and asset management. She is a resourceful business leader that is actively involved in assessing an organization’s needs, sharing best practices, shaping a long-range vision and strategy, and aligning the people to create the long-term value needed for success.  

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Nauticus team utilizing my skill set to support the Nauticus vision,” said Nauticus CFO, Amy Owens. “Throughout my career, I have truly valued partnering with nonprofit organizations that seek to offer educational experiences, programs, and a unique foundational history that will impact minds of young leaders and community members in a way that will support the growth of the local community. Nauticus excitingly leads the way in all these areas.”

Owens’ 20+ year long, impressive career began in internal audit at the J.C. Penney Company. From there she held positions at the H.J. Heinz Company (Pittsburgh) throughout the supply chain (Finance, Purchasing, Demand Planning and Continuous Improvement) where she was trained in Six Sigma and led a continuous improvement team. Throughout her career, she has held positions at Starbucks Corporate Office (Seattle), NY Times, and most recently in private Non-Profit Schools as the Director of Finance & Non-Academic Business Operations locally in Norfolk, Va. 

Owens has started her new position at Nauticus and has already begun leading the organization to further success.

About Nauticus
Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk, Virginia, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to STERN programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.