First day of 2019 at the Naval Museum

Photo By Max Lonzanida | The first visitors to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum visited the gallery at around 11:10am on Tuesday, January 1, 2019. (US Navy Photo by Max Lonzanida/Released)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

01.01.2019

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

As the clock struck 10am, the glass doors to the museum opened. The inert artillery shells that hold the doors open for visitors were emplaced, and the sounds of an otherwise empty Nauticus building resonated through the vaulted entranceway to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. During the summer months, warm weather and vacationers from near and far would clamor to be the first inside and eventually out to the USS Wisconsin (BB 64) berthed next door to the Naval Museum. Eventually, on the first day of 2019, Museum Educators Joseph Miechle and Zach Smyers would encounter a day of firsts.

By 10:05am, the museum’s first volunteer of the year, John Stansell would walk in the door. John is a longtime museum volunteer, and works full time at Tidewater Community College in their Information Technology department; and has a passion for Civil War history. In true fashion, after signing in, he made his rounds at the museum’s Civil War gallery which features large scale models of the Civil War Ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia; along with the ships bell from the USS Cumberland. But by 10:15am, the museum’s gallery remained empty.

At 11:10am, on the dot the museum welcomed its first visitors. And not a minute too soon, since they were en-route to the Wisconsin. The couple shared their experiences visiting the museum in previous years, and were thrilled to learn about the upcoming Vietnam War exhibit that the museum is opening later in 2019. After walking around briefly, the two departed the museum to cross the gangway to the Wisconsin for a guided tour.

After lunch, the museum welcomed a former volunteer through its doors. Robert Deegan was a museum volunteer docent who started with the museum in 1994. Back then, the museum had just completed its relocation from Naval Station Norfolk’s Pennsylvania House. Historic Pennsylvania House started out in 1907 during the Jamestown Exposition at Sewells Point; on land that would eventually become Naval Station Norfolk. The 2/3 replica of Independence Hall in Philadelphia would go through occupants, and by 1979, it was the first home of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.

By 1994, after the museum relocated to its current location, Deegan followed. He recounted his role of being a docent in the original building, and talked with a glimmer in his eye about the early days of the museum inside the newly built Nauticus building. Deegan also shared some light on his service in the US Navy, starting out as an Ensign and then finally retiring as at the rank of Commander. During his service, he had the opportunity to command two warships, and had served during the Vietnam War. Before he departed the gallery, he brought an envelope in, which contained his original lapel pin that he wore as a museum docent and said that he was returning. At the conclusion of his visit, Museum Educator Zach Smyers thanked him for his service to the museum and presented him with a Vietnam War commemoration pin and certificate commemorating his service and the first in 2019 to receive this small gesture of his incredible service to the museum and the US Navy.

About the Hampton Roads Naval Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line and take the stairs or elevator to the museum on the second deck. The museum hosts a robust educational program for area schools and commands, with free educational programs to area schools aligned with state curriculum standards, a travelling sea chest program, a premier Lego outreach program, and historical presentations for area commands. To inquire, contact their Educational Director, Laura Orr at [e-mail] or at [phone]. The museum is also host to a robust volunteer corps, who serve as docents, support special events, and assist in museum archives. To inquire, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink at [e-mail] or at [phone]. Lastly the museum proudly hosts military ceremonies, such as re-enlistments, retirements, and promotions for area commands aboard the U.S.S Wisconsin and in the museum’s gallery. To inquire, contact their special events coordinator, Tom Dandes at [e-mail] or call [phone]. More information about the museum can be found at https://www.facebook.com/HRNavalMuseum/

• Date Taken: 01.01.2019
• Date Posted: 01.01.2019 15:31
• Story ID: 306043
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US