The Mariners’ Museum will re-open to the public on May 28, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Mariners’ Museum members get early access to the galleries beginning on May 21.
Guests will see the incredible work that the Mariners’ team accomplished while the galleries were closed, according to Luisa A. Vázquez-López, Senior Director of Advancement.

Updates made to the Museum’s concourse have created a substantial focal point to the Lancaster Eagle, allowing guests to visually connect with the artifact upon entering the Museum. On the second floor of The Batten Conservation Lab, guests now have the opportunity to visit the new observation area of the recently renovated Clean Lab and watch conservators work on delicate artifacts in real time.
For families with children there is an interactive scavenger hunt available. Also, every child will be given colored pencils to draw or write their maritime connection on the “I am a Mariner” wall.
Outside the Museum, guests can discover the Bumblebee Learning Garden near the Museum’s business entrance, stroll along the Noland Trail or register for an outdoor adventure with a guided nature tour of the “History of the Park and Trees.”
“The entire Mariners’ team has worked exceptionally hard in our galleries over the past year. The improvements we made will allow us to engage with and serve even more people in ways that we think will be fascinating and fun,” President and CEO Howard H. Hoege III said. “We are thrilled to finally throw the doors open and welcome our community back into our galleries.”
The Mariners’ Cafe and the Museum Shop will be open for guests.
Admission to the Museum is $1 per person, and free for Mariners’ Museum Members. Timed ticketing is being offered and tickets must be purchased online for entry for both members and the public. The Museum will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the first hour reserved for guests who may be considered high risk and prefer a smaller crowd and quieter environment.
The health and safety of guests, volunteers, and the Mariners’ team is a top priority. The Museum is adhering to the COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by Governor Northam on April 1. The Museum has implemented safety protocols such as the requirement of guests aged five and older to wear face masks, new directional signage and stanchions to assist in traffic flow in the galleries, practicing six feet social distancing wherever possible, and hand sanitizer stations.
The Mariners’ team will continue to offer a robust virtual programming schedule to stay digitally connected to guests as the Museum has been steadfast in its mission to connect people to the world’s waters. For this month, the Museum has a captivating lineup of lectures including Civil War battles, Hampton Roads history and stories about America’s top museums. The full virtual schedule can be found at: Marinersmuseum.org/virtual/.More details about The Mariners’ Galleries Reopening can be viewed at: MarinersMuseum.org/Hours-and-Admission/.
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