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.
Mission Statement
We exist to benefit our community through education, impactful experiences and by sharing access to maritime resources.
Vision Statement
To become the leading maritime and science discovery center in the region.
The Nauticus Foundation
The Nauticus Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. The Nauticus Foundation is responsible for annual and capital fundraising, the development and expansion of Museum exhibits to include traveling exhibitions; educational programming centered around the principles of Nauticus’ STEM to STERN curriculum; interpretation and preservation efforts aboard the Battleship Wisconsin; community support such as the Student Access Program and scholarships for the Sail Nauticus Academy; and preservation, maintenance and programming aboard the schooner Virginia and Sail Nauticus’ sailing center.
City of Norfolk & Nauticus Foundation Partnership
Nauticus is a partnership between the City of Norfolk and The Nauticus Foundation. The City of Norfolk owns and maintains Nauticus’ buildings and grounds to include the Battleship Wisconsin and Half Moone Decker Cruise Terminal. The City of Norfolk provides administrative support such as accounting and human resources and operational support for Cruise Virginia in which the City of Norfolk retains all revenue for that program.
Nauticus Campus
The Nauticus campus is managed in a secure partnership by the Nauticus Foundation and the City of Norfolk, the campus serves over 370,000+ visitors annually and includes the following assets:
Nauticus Maritime Discovery Center
Battleship
Wisconsin
Sail Nauticus
Sailing Center and Schooner Virginia
Half Moone Decker Cruise Terminal
In August 2020, Nauticus’ Board of Directors adopted an official Equity & Inclusion Statement to align with its strategic plan. The official statement is as follows:
“Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) are essential educational priorities for vibrant communities. Equity, inclusion and access to STEAM education is critical to the ongoing mission and vision of Nauticus. Nauticus strives to create an inclusive, equity-based organization that empowers our community, students, and visitors to change the world through STEAM. Nauticus acknowledges that traditional access and engagement with STEAM learning may be limited for some, and the organization is committed to using its resources and talent towards making STEAM education accessible to all. This commitment will be a priority for our exhibits, education programming, operations, management, policies and practices.”
Stephen Kirkland
President & CEO
Dustin Uhl
Exhibits Manager
Jaclyn Spainhour
Director of Development
Rehn West Saunders
Deputy Director of External Affairs & Advancement
Noelle Torian
Gift Shop Manager
Zaribel Harlow
Visitor Services Manager
Holly Durst-Whitaker
Deputy Director of Operations and Administration
Cat Taterway
Director of Marketing
Nate Sandel
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Nauticus is led by a distinguished group of business leaders from the Hampton Roads community. This board oversees all governance, policy formation, fiscal management, strategic planning and fundraising for the campus on the downtown Norfolk waterfront, which includes Nauticus, the Battleship Wisconsin, Sail Nauticus, and the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center.
CHAIR
Mark Honecker
President & CEO, ITA Global Security
Newport News, VA
VICE-CHAIR
Christopher S. Uiterwyk
CEO, IPConfigure
Norfolk, VA
TREASURER
Mike Hopkins
Managing Director, Fairwinds Landing
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
SECRETARY
Kelsey Host Sarcone
T. Parker Host, Inc.
Norfolk, VA
Paul D. Fraim
Fraim & Fiorella, PC
Norfolk, VA
Board Members
Maryellen Baldwin
President & CEO, Navy League Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach, VA
Judy Barrett
Senior Vice President, Private Banking, TowneBank
Norfolk, VA
Sarah Beasley
Area General Manager, Southside Ready Mix
Norfolk, VA
CAPT Whiting Chisman
President, Virginia Pilot Association
Virginia Beach, VA
Laura Chalk
Executive Director & CEO, Virginia Beach Vision, Inc.
Virginia Beach, VA
Robert Clark
Director, Military Activities Liaison and Special Projects, Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA
Jonathan V. Gallo
Vandeventer Black, LLP
Norfolk, VA
William Smith
External Affairs Representative State and Local Affairs, Dominion Energy
Norfolk, VA
Elspeth McMahon
Associate Vice President for Maritime Initiatives, Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA
Matt Wilbricht
Senior Vice President, NAI Dominion
Chesapeake, VA
Edward W. Wolcott, Jr.
Wolcott, Rivers, Gates
Virginia Beach, VA
W. Clark Taylor
President/Owner, Taylor Development
Diamond T Investments
Norfolk, VA
LaDarius Satterwhite
Vice President of Retail Banking, BayPort Credit Union
Norfolk, VA
John Polowczyk
President,Virginia Ship Repair Association
Norfolk, VA
Charitable Donations
Nauticus is pleased to support our local community by considering all charitable donation requests from qualified nonprofit organizations in the Hampton Roads area. To learn more or to apply, please click here.