Hampton, Virginia

This month's southeastern Virginia city blog is all about Hampton. Hampton traces its history for almost 400 years, named Old Point Comfort, the home of Fort Monroe by the 1607 voyagers. 

The Old Point Comfort Lighthouse marks the entrance to historic Hampton Roads at the mouth of the James, Nansemond, and Elizabeth Rivers that fed into the Chesapeake Bay. Fort Monroe, the largest stone fort constructed, was built to protect these critical waterways. Fort Monroe remained in Union hands during the Civil War and became a place of early freedom for former slaves. For two years after the end of the Civil War, it was the prison for Jefferson Davis, the former Confederate President. In November of 2011, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation to designate parts of Fort Monroe as a National Monument. Currently, they are working on adding a memorial for the first enslaved Africans brought to the Virginia colony in 1619. 

Hampton University is not far from Fort Monroe, a private, historically black university. It started initially to educate the formerly enslaved people. They have several buildings that are now historic landmarks and research facilities. The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute is the largest free-standing facility of its kind in the world.

The downtown area of Hampton is beautiful, with a large marina, the Virginia Air and Space Science Center, and Nasa Langley Visitor Center. Langley Air Force Base also makes it home in Hampton. 

Throughout the downtown area are quaint and eclectic shops and restaurants. A great place to eat is Brown Chicken, Brown Cow; they have great burgers, a good selection of beer and cocktails, and their pickle-brined chicken fingers are phenomenal. My favorite shop is the Best of British; you can find unique products from across the pond and the best tea. You can also meander through the streets to see bookstores and coffee shops. Don't miss the Brunswick stew at The Grey Goose if you are down there. 

Two other points of interest both due to their architecture, the first is the Historic Post Office downtown, now an elegant event venue, and the Hampton Coliseum, one of the most recognizable buildings in Hampton Roads. 

Please look at the photos below and let me know what you think of Hampton. It is definitely worth visiting.