 About Starboards
A Local Landmark Since 2004
Many people are curious how we came up with the name
Starboards. The name was a natural based on the
Portsmouth history and current location of the site. It was actually derived from two
significant Portsmouth landmarks – The Portsmouth Star
newspaper and the old Seaboard
Air Line Railroad building.
 Starboards is located on the actual site of the former local newspaper
- The Portsmouth Star. “Years ago,
The Kiosk was where the Portsmouth news was written and printed. Today,
Starboards has become a popular place where locals and visitors gather to talk
about the news and daily events”, states David Cartier.
Starboards is also located directly across from the old
1894 Seaboard Air Line Railroad passenger terminal. Portsmouth has a long
history of railroads and trains. It is known today as One
High Street with its distinctive round facade. The Portsmouth Star Building also
housed some Seaboard offices.
 While “Port and Starboard” is a common
nautical term, boaters know that Starboard means “right” and
Portside means “left”.
Walking down to the water, Starboards is on the right side of the street.
Portside is to the left of High Street Landing.
In 2004, the original Kiosk (shown
below, before renovations) was leased to the Cartiers. It was formally
used by the Portsmouth Convention & Visitors Bureau as an visitor information
kiosk.
 Today, the renovated cottage-style
kiosk complements the historic Olde Towne
neighborhood with clapboards,
shutters and a nautical theme. As a
tribute to the area’s maritime heritage, the exterior counters
were constructed from the same lumber used to build the
Pilot
Schooner Virginia.
In addition, some of the nautical décor including buoys, a brass sailboat
weathervane and a vintage ship’s grate used as a table were provided by
Skipjack Nautical Wares of Olde Towne.
See Starboards on HamptonRoads.TV
Starboards Video
|
