Thursday, June 18, 2026
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (June 18, 2026) – The Virginia Beach History Museums welcome the public to enjoy a full slate of new and returning summer programming suited for history buffs, families, kids, and individuals interested in exploring Virginia Beach and its unique stories.
First Free Saturday Community Days
From 10 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month (January excepted) at the Francis Land House , 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., visitors are invited to a new series of free, family-oriented Community Days. A new series of programs, First Free Saturday Community Days will see a variety of children’s crafts and activities centered on a different theme. Bring your kids and immerse yourselves in the history of Virginia Beach and the wider world.
Enjoy story time at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. during each Community Day. Activities are available as supplies last. See below for the upcoming schedule of First Free Saturday Community Days.
Fourth of July, July 4 : Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States at the Francis Land House with patriotic crafts and activities. Make your own fireworks (on paper), go on a scavenger hunt to find American flags, and guess how many pieces of candy are in a jar to win it all!
Tuskegee Airmen, Aug. 1 : In World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were a segregated group of African American military pilots and support staff. They were known for their bravery and aerial prowess. Did you know that a couple of them called Virginia Beach home? Come learn about these flying warriors and build your own P-51 Mustang fighter plane.
Old Francis Land Had a Farm, Sept. 5 : For much of its life, the Francis Land House was the center of a large plantation growing a variety of crops including flax for making linen fabric. Later, it was a dairy farm raising cows to give milk. Come learn a little about the process of making cloth from a plant and getting milk from a cow. Make a seed bomb to grow a little something in your own backyard.
Thoroughgood House Focus Tours
While daily tours of the Thoroughgood House , 1636 Parish Rd., give visitors a good overview of life on the Thoroughgood property, the Virginia Beach History Museums’ summer Focus Tours provide deeper dives into specific historical areas of areas of interest. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Thursday from now through Aug. 27 (except for July 30) at the Thoroughgood House , enjoy tours focused on everything from the history of ice cream to pirates and much more.
Visit the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department ticket website for the full list of Focus Tours and to purchase tickets. Tickets are $5 per person, and kids 2 and under are admitted for free.
Virginia Beach History Museums Tours
The Virginia Beach History Museums include the Francis Land House , Lynnhaven House , Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum and Thoroughgood House . All four sites are open for free tours. Museum tour registration is available online and at the door.
The Francis Land House and Thoroughgood House are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, the Lynnhaven House, 4409 Wishart Rd., is open at noon on the third Thursday of each month (January and holidays excepted) for preservation tours and the Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum (located inside the Renaissance Academy, 5100 Cleveland St.) is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you would like to bring a large group tour (over 10 people) to one of the museums, Virginia Beach History Museums staff ask to give at least 24-48 hours advance notice by emailing vbhistory@vbgov.com or calling (757) 385-5100.
For the latest information about Virginia Beach History Museums events, tours and group visits, please visit vbmuseums.org . If you have any questions about these events, please call (757) 385-5100 or email vbhistory@vbgov.com .