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Olde Towne Lantern Tours
A twilight walking tour of
the Olde Towne historic district is led by escorts in period attire. On this
hour-long tour, visitors get a taste of the legends and folklore of Olde Towne
but also learn about the district's unique architectural styles, which include
Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Georgian and Victorian.
One of the most popular stops on the tour is a building located at 329 North
Street, affectionately known as "Dr. Madblood’s castle”. The house was used as
the imaginary dwelling of "Dr. Madblood," a television personality who
hosted a popular late-night horror show in the 1970s. The building, constructed
as a single family home in 1892, features turrets, decorative shingles and
arched windows with curved glass, characteristic of the Romanesque Revival
period.
See Olde Towne Portsmouth in a
new light…with a guide dressed in period attire leading the way! The Olde Towne
Lantern Tour, a walking tour through the city’s most historic neighborhoods,
resumes after Memorial Day. The tours, which are always led by an escort
in period attire, will be given from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. twice a week – ever
Tuesday and Saturday nights – starting May 27 and continuing through Sept. 30.
The Tuesday night Lantern Tour departs from the lobby of the Holiday Inn – Olde
Towne, 8 Crawford Parkway. The Saturday night tour departs from the lobby of the
Hawthorn Hotel & Suites at The Governor Dinwiddie, 506 Dinwiddie Street.
On these tours, an informative and knowledgeable guide sheds light on
Portsmouth’s history, legends, lore, and its unique architectural styles.
Admission is $5. Purchase tickets immediately before the tour from the escort in
period attire.
It is recommended that flat, comfortable shoes be worn, as the walk is
approximately one mile. Special tour times can be arranged for groups of 10 or
more, with advanced notice.
For additional information, the public may call the Portsmouth Visitor
Information Center at 757.393.5111.
Olde Towne Walking Tour
This self-guided walking
tour of Olde Towne takes you to 45 sites in the historic district, about one
mile total. Though you may choose to start the tour anywhere, the sites
listed in the brochure are numbered sequentially, with the route beginning at
the Spanish-American War Monument on Crawford Parkway at North Street,
Portsmouth. Take
the Self-Guided Tour.
Olde Towne Carriage Company
Travel back in time by way
of a horse drawn carriage ride through Historic Olde Towne Portsmouth.
While you travel as our ancestors did over one hundred and fifty years ago, the
driver will provide a narration of the many historical sites and landmarks
unique to the City of Portsmouth.
Their Vintage eight-passenger seat Surrey Carriage is totally renovated and
ready to provide you with a comfortable and one-of-a-kind tour of Olde Towne
Portsmouth. The horses Minnie (the Belgian) and Clyde (the Clydesdale)
look forward to meeting you and posing with you for pictures.
Tours Available: Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons, weather
permitting. Pick up location at Carriage Stop on Water Street (Renaissance
Hotel)
The fare for a tour is $15.00 per adult and $10.00 per children ages 10 and
under. Hours of Operation are Friday and Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and
Sunday 2:00 p.m. 'till 6:00 p.m.
Olde Towne Carriage Company also provides Special Occasion Carriages for
Weddings, etc. and Precious Ponies, Napoleon, Hannah, and Scottie for Birthday
Parties for people to ride and pet.
For more information, call 757.636.5315 or 1.888.842.4407
Olde Towne Trolley Tours
Highlights of the narrated tour include a ride past 18th and
19th century homes, Revolutionary and Civil War sites. Trolleys depart
daily Memorial Day through Labor Day from the Portsmouth Visitor Information
Center next to the hotel. Passengers may disembark at High Street Landing (at
High and Water streets) for convenient access to Olde Towne specialty shops,
restaurants and museums.
Path of History
The "Path of History" links two of the nation's oldest Navy
facilities, the Naval Medical Center and the Naval Shipyard, both in Portsmouth.
A 1-acre park is at the south end of the "Path of History," near the Naval
Shipyard. The park has brick walkways and two 75,000-pound propellers from naval
supply ships. Signs featuring key milestones in the Naval Shipyard's 200+ year
history are displayed, along with various artifacts, such as a refurbished sail
from a former submarine and Navy guns that were once used on vessels built at
the shipyard.
The north end of the "Path of History" is a 3-acre park at the entrance to the
nation's first Navy hospital. Located near the gate of the Naval Medical Center
Portsmouth, the park is home to artifacts and historical signs. This medical
institution was built in 1830 and has served the military through every major
conflict from that time to the present.
Stops between the two parks include the Fresnel Lens, historic homes like the
Pass House and the Hill House, and places of worship, such as Chevra T'helim
Temple and Court Street Baptist Church. Visit the entire "Path of History" or
stop at various sites to learn about Portsmouth's history in a leisurely
fashion.
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