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Overview

The “Reimagine Nauticus” capital campaign supports a comprehensive $21.5 million redesign project.  The first phase of this two-phased redesign will open in May, 2023 and the project will be completed by October, 2024.  An entirely new visitor experience will include the addition of five state-of-the-art exhibit galleries and a new “Wonder Hall” entrance pavilion.  This holistic redesign will parallel newly created “STEM to Stern” programming and chart a course for the next generation of families, learners, and professionals.  

A Reimagined Nauticus will provide students and visitors with access to STEM education and a broader understanding of career paths and opportunities, thereby creating a “pipeline” for maritime-related businesses and industry. 


Campaign Leadership

Campaign Chairs

Paul Fraim

John Reinhart

Kelsey Host Sarcone

Director of Development & Marketing, Rehn West at (757) 664-1011.

NAUTICUS MISSION STATEMENT

We exist to benefit our community through education, impactful experiences and by sharing access to maritime resources.

NAUTICUS VISION:

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.

CHAIR

Paul D. Fraim
Fraim & Fiorella, PC
Norfolk, VA

VICE CHAIR

John Reinhart
CEO& Director Emeritus, Virginia Port Authority
Norfolk, VA

TREASURER

Mark Honecker
President & CEO, ITA Global Security
Newport News, VA

SECRETARY

Kelsey Host Sarcone
T. Parker Host
Norfolk, VA

Allen Fabijan
Sinclair Communications
Norfolk, VA

Whiting Chisman
Virginia Pilot Association
Virginia Beach, VA

Judy Barrett
Senior Vice President, Private Banking, TowneBank
Norfolk, VA

Sarah Beasley
Vice President of Operations, Capital Concrete
Norfolk, VA

William W. “Bill” Crow
Virginia Ship Repair Association
Norfolk, VA

Robert Clark
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Jonathan V. Gallo
Vandeventer Black, LLP
Norfolk, VA

Ameet Habib
Wolcott, Rivers, Gates
Virginia Beach, VA

Jordan A. Watkins
International Trade Manager,
Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Norfolk, VA

Matt Wilbricht
Senior Vice President, NAI Dominion
Chesapeake, VA

Edward W. Wolcott, Jr.
Wolcott, River, Gates
Virginia Beach, VA

Maryellen Baldwin
Navy League Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach, VA

Join us by investing in the future of Nauticus through the Reimagine Nauticus Campaign.

nauticus News

News and Updates

December 1, 2022
Cruise Giveaway Celebrates Carnival Partnership

Free cruise for two awaits one lucky WinterFest on the Wisconsin guest. Norfolk, Va. (Dec.1, 2022)— To celebrate the recent announcement that the Carnival Magic  will sail from Norfolk for six months in 2023, Nauticus and Carnival Cruise Line…

November 14, 2022
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION IN NORFOLK TO BRING HIGHEST GUEST VOLUME IN PORT’S HISTORY

Carnival Cruise Line today announced it will more than double the fun and the cruises it offers from Norfolk, Virginia, in 2023, and extend sailings to a consecutive…

May 12, 2022
Largest Cruise Ship to Sail from Norfolk Arrives Sunday

Carnival resumes operations with 4,000-passenger vessel Photo Credit: GLF Investments Norfolk, Va. (May 12, 2022) — Mid-Atlantic cruisers will have their first chance to sail from Norfolk since 2019 as the 4,000-passenger Carnival Magic…

April 8, 2022
Nauticus Cruise Season Accelerates With Back-To-Back Ship Calls

Inaugural call of the Norwegian Gem set for Sunday; Norwegian Getaway returns on Monday Norfolk, Va. (April 8, 2022) — More than 5,000 cruise ship passengers are planning their Norfolk arrival over the coming days as Nauticus…

March 23, 2022
Carnival Cruise Line Celebrates Partnership with Norfolk

World’s largest cruise line presents cake to Norfolk City Council Photo Credit: Nathalie Silva Ariz Norfolk, Va. (March 23, 2022) — On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, Carnival Cruise Line presented a special birthday cake to Norfolk City…

February 18, 2022
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Sunday Arrival Launches Norfolk’s Busiest Season

First large-scale cruise ship since pause in port operations arrives at Nauticus on Sunday Norwegian Getaway. PC: NCL Norfolk, Va. (February 18, 2022) – Nearly two years after the Covid-19 pandemic paused the global…

October 20, 2021
Construction Begins on Norfolk’s New $2.6 Million Cruise Ship Gangway

Nauticus prepares for one of its busiest cruise seasons in 2022. Norfolk, Va. (October 20, 2021) – An enormous crane takes center stage along Norfolk’s downtown waterfront this week as construction begins on…

October 6, 2021
Nauticus Welcomes Arrival of New Passenger Gangway and Cruise Ship

Preparations underway for one of the busiest cruise seasons ever in 2022. Norfolk, Va. (October 5, 2021) – Norfolk’s cruise ship program stages a comeback this week as the global industry begins to re-emerge from the…

February 20, 2020
Carnival Cruise Line Makes Five-Year Commitment to Norfolk

Norfolk to host its largest passenger vessel in 2021 NORFOLK, VA – Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest leisure travel company, has signed a landmark agreement to bolster its long-term partnership with Norfolk.  The…