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Messages in Bottles Wash Ashore at Nauticus!

January 18, 2022

New exhibit features over 50 voices from the past.

Norfolk, Va. (January 18, 2022) – Have you ever found a message in a bottle and wondered where it came from? Questioned its meaning and wondered what happened to the sender? The Message in a Bottle exhibition at Nauticus unearths the personal voices of everyday Americans, discovered while cleaning up the country’s rivers.

Uncovered by 2013 CNN Hero of the Year Chad Pregracke and his nonprofit, Living Lands & Waters, Message in a Bottle rediscovers lost history. For over 25 years, Pregracke’s cleanup campaigns along the Mississippi and other U.S. rivers have amounted to over thousands of bottles. Message in Bottle displays over 50 notes, from love letters to photos to practical jokes, making it a unique collection of raw, human emotion. 

“For centuries, people around the globe have been using messages in bottles as a form of communication. I am excited for Nauticus and the people of Norfolk to have the opportunity to see and read first-hand authentic messages in bottles that I, my staff, and dozens of volunteers have found through our river cleanups across the United States over the last 25 years,” Pregracke said. “Some are funny, some are spiritual, and others mysterious…but each showcase genuine thought and emotion.”

On January 29, Nauticus members are invited to get an exclusive first look at Message in a Bottle! Members can sign up here.

“This exhibit is compelling and altogether appropriate for a community built along the water’s edge,” said Nauticus executive director, Stephen Kirkland. “We’re excited and proud to showcase this amazing collection.”

Message in a Bottle will open on January 29, 2022, at Nauticus with special programming and share its secrets through April 24, 2022. Come explore over 50 bottled mysteries uncovered while cleaning up the country’s rivers!

Plan Your Visit
Nauticus will be 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
Message in a Bottle 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 Exhibits Celebrates the Contributions of African Americans

January 18, 2022

Reduced admission on January 15 thanks to presenting sponsor, Bank of America

Norfolk, Va. (January 7, 2022) – The extraordinary contributions made by African Americans in the fields of medicine, mathematics, engineering, and science are highlighted in a new exhibit at Nauticus entitled The Creative Mind. The exhibit consists of a series of educational panels designed and produced by the National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C.

“We produced the Creative Mind exhibition with the goal of heightening awareness of the contributions of outstanding African Americans to science, engineering, and medicine,” said Alana Quinn of the Cultural Programs of the National Academy of Sciences. “Since its debut in 2012, the exhibition has been on view at more than 20 venues across the United States including museums, libraries, community centers, and universities.”

The Creative Mind originated as a photographic portrait collection organized by the African American History Program at the Academy. Adapting it to a traveling exhibition enabled the Academy to share the stories of these distinguished individuals with a much larger audience.

Nauticus is celebrating the exhibit’s Norfolk debut with a reduced, $7.57 general admission on January 15, courtesy of presenting sponsor, Bank of America.

“Bank of America believes that exhibits such as The Creative Mind have the power to inspire visitors to get involved with and solve big issues we face today, and those we’ll face tomorrow,” said Frank Castellanos, Bank of America President of Hampton Roads. “This exhibit builds perspective and cultural understanding of African Americans’ profound contributions in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

The Creative Mind opens on January 15 at Nauticus and will be on display through April 2. Admission includes access to the exhibition in addition to special STEM-based programming.

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
The Creative Mind 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.

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Nearly 65,000 Guests Visit Hampton Roads’ Newest Holiday Hit

January 18, 2022

WinterFest on the Wisconsin more than doubles its attendance in 2021

Norfolk, Va. (January 5, 2022) –In its second season, WinterFest on the Wisconsin welcomed more than double the number of guests from the previous year. Nearly 65,000 residents and visitors attended the waterfront light festival this holiday season, ensuring the event will be a family favorite for years to come.

“We were really overcome by the reception this year,” said Nauticus’ executive director, Stephen E. Kirkland. “Simply put, it gives us the confidence to keep growing this experience and further establish it as an annual holiday tradition.”

After a successful launch in 2020 as a safe, outdoor holiday experience, WinterFest returned in 2021 with additional lights, live entertainment, and onboard activities.

Thanks to WinterFest’s presenting sponsor, GEICO Military, over 1,000 active-duty and veteran service members attended WinterFest at no cost on opening weekend. Nearly 1,000 first responders, nurses, teachers and their families were welcomed aboard for two Heroes Nights in December.

Over the coming weeks, crews will remove more than 650,000 lights and the below-deck areas will be returned to their regular interpretive layout. Proceeds from WinterFest on the Wisconsin will allow Nauticus to open new areas of the battleship and more fully interpret key areas prior to the ship’s birthday celebration on April 16, 2022.

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.