Hampton's Streetcar 390 Project

05/08/2026

We will be part of the days fun. Stop by and say hi.

04/28/2026

Today in Hampton History
1900 - James Sands Darling, I dies. The seafood magnate, developer, and industrialist was one of several Northerners to take important roles in rebuilding Hampton after the Civil War, and Darling became one of Hampton’s most prominent citizens.

Originally from New York, Darling arrived in Hampton after the Civil War with a boat full of lumber and constructed a lumber yard and grist mill. In 1879 Darling built a plant at Factory Point in Fox Hill to produce fertilizer from menhaden fish. In the 1880s, he founded J. S. Darling & Son Oyster Packers, which became the largest oyster business in the world. In 1886, he purchased much of the former “Little England” plantation and began subdividing it for sale, and in 1887, he began building the Peninsula’s first streetcar line connecting Newport News and Hampton, while also developing land adjacent to the tracks. The same year, his railway company purchased land at Buckroe and opened the Buckroe Beach Hotel, beginning its transformation from a modest summer retreat to a bustling resort.

At his death, Darling was one of Hampton’s most beloved citizens. His legacy of entrepreneurship and community leadership were carried on by his son, Frank W. Darling. His oyster firm, J.S. Darling & Son, made Hampton oysters world famous and remained in business until 1979.

James Sands Darling I. Portrait by C.E. Cheyne.

Find more Darling family, seafood, industry, and business history in our collections online:
https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/search?search=Darling&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives%2CPeople&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

04/05/2026

04/02/2026

Today in Hampton History
1953 - Electric Avenue is renamed Victoria Boulevard. The name “Electric” had come from the electrified streetcars along the road, carrying passengers between Hampton and Newport News.

The name change was one of 100 road renamings to reflect connections between existing roads and to eliminate duplicates causing problems with postal delivery.

The street re-namings also coincided with road expansion projects, especially to relieve traffic congestion between Newport News and Hampton. The new Victoria Boulevard was significantly expanded to accommodate more cars, especially after streetcars ceased service. In 1950, Victoria Boulevard became Virginia State Highway 143 (the route had previously followed Shell Road).

Image: The car barns, administrative office, and staff of the Newport News and Old Point Railway and Electric Co. on Electric Ave./Victoria Blvd., c.1920. The site is still operated as a garage and office by Hampton Roads Transit. HHM Collections.

Find more streetcar history in the Museum’s collections online:
https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Topic=%22Railways%2FStreetcars%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

02/25/2026

Update on the Tracing the Tracks event. March 14th is full. April 18 event still has 9 seats available. Please call HHM to reserve your spot before they fill up 757-727-6697

02/18/2026

Update on Tracing the Tracks event. We have 2 seats left for March 14th. There are no seat available for the April event. We have a waiting list set up for a possible adding one in the first half of June, but do not have a date yet. If you have any question let us know.

Send a message to learn more

02/11/2026

Looking back at streetcar happenings....today in 1931

01/15/2026

It happened 80 years ago today.

01/10/2026

Thank you to HRT to "Keep spreading the news"

Another episode of Going Places is live! 🙌

This month, we sat down with Greg Siegel, who's leading the restoration efforts of Hampton's Streetcar 390 Project. Listen now to hear all about the project, where it's at, where it's going, and how we got here! 🚃

Available now wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

12/25/2025

Today in Hampton History
1898 - J.S. Darling holds a Christmas party for his former Hampton and Old Point Railway Company employees. Having sold the trolley company, Darling distributed $16,000 to the employees, who received checks ranging from $50 to $1000.

Follow the latest news about the restoration of the Peninsula's last remaining streetcar, follow 's Streetcar 390 Project.

Image; Cyanotype image of Hampton and Old Point R.R. Co. streetcar, likely at original power house and repair facility on Armistead Ave., c.1890. HHM Collections.

View more streetcar history in our collections online: https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Topic=%22Railways%2FStreetcars%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false