Cape Henry Lighthouse

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Cape Henry Lighthouse

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Cape Henry Lighthouse is the first federally funded lighthouse and was built to guide maritime commerce at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

It is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the United States. Authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton, the Cape Henry Lighthouse silently guards the entry way into the Chesapeake Bay. Standing near the spot where, in 1607, Captain Newport raised a cross to offer thanks for their safe crossing of the Atlantic, the Lighthouse is opened to the public year round. The architectural integrity of the tower is representative of one of John McComb's best and most important constructions. The Lighthouse also symbolizes the first bold steps the nation's new government took to fulfill its obligations to its people. With the construction of the Cape Henry Lighthouse, the waters of the Chesapeake Bay became navigable and safe ensuring steady trade and commerce on the Virginia and Maryland coasts. Preservation Virginia acquired Cape Henry Lighthouse and 1.77 acres of ground in 1930.

10/15/2026

Come visit us!
We will have a booth at the First Landing Fall Festival this SATURDAY from 1-5pm!

Come out and enjoy everything this family friendly event has to offer and stop by to say hi!

First Landing State Park is located at:
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

This event is free but park parking fees still apply

First Landing State Park

10/14/2026

Don’t worry everyone, baseball season is almost over!
Don’t hesitate to wear your favorite teams gear to the lighthouse to encourage some lively conversation with our interpreters ⚾️

10/13/2026

🗓️ On this Day in History!

On October 13th, 1792, Tobias Lear (pictured above) wrote a letter to Alexander Hamilton that states:

By the President’s command T. Lear has the honor to inform the Secretary of the Treasury that the President has appointed William Lewis to be keeper of the Light-house on Cape Henry, with a salary of four hundred Dollars per annum. The President does not conceive that the circumstance of mister Cormicks being employed to oversee the building of the Lighthouse, tho’ in his favor, as sufficiently strong to recommend him as the most proper person to be Keeper of it.
Tobias Lear. S.P.U.S.

(Http://founders.archives.gov/documents/washington/05-11-02-0116)

Who was Tobias Lear? He was the official Secretary to President Washington.
What do you think of the salary of $400 per year?

10/11/2026

✈️ Get your passport ready for adventure!

Did you know that if you purchase a family membership at any of the Preservation Virginia sites, you receive a Junior Passport book?
Each passport is filled with activities to complete at each of our historic sites in order to get a stamp in your book!

Ask about memberships today!
Bacon’s Castle Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown Preservation Virginia’s John Marshall House Historic Jamestowne Preservation Virginia

10/10/2026

🗓️ On This Day in History!

On October 10th, 1791, Thomas Newtown Jr. sends a letter to Alexander Hamilton to report that architect John McCombs Jr. has completed the foundation of the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
Source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, Vol. 9, 310.

Aquia sandstone was used to create the foundation of the lighthouse. Originally contracted for 13 feet, the foundation ended up being 20 feet deep to provide stabilization.

In this before photo, you can see a ranger staring up at the cross plaque on the lighthouse, in the after you can see the how high the plaza was raised during our 2018-2019 restoration, helping to keep a majority of that foundation underground where it belongs. Reference the cross plaque to see the difference!

Today celebrates a big milestone in the building of the Cape Henry Lighthouse!

10/08/2026

Have you ever wondered about the local lores and legends of Virginia Beach?
We’re here to tell you some of our favorite!

👻 Spooky Stories of Virginia Beach
🗓️ Saturday, October 10th
🕰️ 11am
🖥️ over Google Meet
🎟️ Registration Required, tickets are available at www.preservationvirginia.org Special Events

10/06/2026

💡 Artifact spotlight! 💡

This is a Marine Mechanical Clock, sometimes known as a Chelsea Clock, because of the company who made it, Chelsea Clock Company.

On September 9th, 1909, the Lighthouse Service placed an order from the Chelsea Clock Company for a new marine clock for Cape Henry. It was housed in a heavy brass case to protect it from the elements but a lot of its original silver lettering has been worn away.

Since the clock was commissioned in 1909, it was most likely in use in the New Cape Henry Lighthouse.

Artifact donated by Lawrence Cann Purcell

10/04/2026

This month we are going to talk about William Lewis who was the first appointed Lighthouse Keeper at Cape Henry Lighthouse, even though he never actually served at the lighthouse.

Billy is here to explain Lewis’ Navy career before he became a lighthouse keeper and how that Naval Service lead to his introduction to George Washington!

Stay tuned for more William Lewis information!

10/03/2026

Have you gone on a tour with Dave yet? Next time ask him what is after work plans are!

10/02/2026

The Cape Henry Lighthouse is happy to welcome visitors from all over the country!
🗺️ Check out where some of our September visitors are from!

Address

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story
Virginia Beach, VA
23459

Telephone

+17574229421

Website

https://preservationvirginia.org/historic-sites/cape-henry-lighthouse/, http://capehenrylhshop.myshopify.com/, http://pr

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