Portsmouth Community Library, Portsmouth

Name: Portsmouth Community Library
Address: Portsmouth, United States

#17 among attractions in Portsmouth

Museum

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Facts and practical information

Portsmouth Community Library, also known as the Portsmouth Colored Community Library, is a historic library building located at Portsmouth, Virginia. It was built in 1945 at 804 South Street. It is a one-story, three bay, brick building with a hipped roof. It was built to provide for the reading needs of Portsmouth's African Americans. In 1959, two local dentists, Dr. James Holley and Dr. Hugo A. Owens, successfully sued the City of Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Public Library to integrate the public library, which resulted in the closure of the Portsmouth Community Library. The building has been relocated twice since it was closed in 1962 after integration of the public library system; first in 1967 to the parking lot of Ebenezer Baptist Church, 730 Effingham Street, then since August 2007, it has been located at the present location, 904 Elm Avenue. ()

Coordinates: 36°49'54"N, 76°18'46"W

Address

WestburyPortsmouth United States

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Day trips

Portsmouth Community Library – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Waterside, USS Wisconsin, Nauticus, Hampton Roads Naval Museum.

1.5 miNE
Shopping, Shopping centre
Waterside, Norfolk
38 min walk • The Waterside, is a festival marketplace on the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, opened June 1, 1983. While the Waterside Annex was demolished May 16, 2016, the main portion was renovated and reopened as Waterside District in May 2017.
1.6 miNE
Large, revered battleship offering tours
USS Wisconsin, Norfolk
40 min walk • USS Wisconsin is an Iowa-class battleship, the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. She was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and launched on 7 December 1943, sponsored Margaret Goodland, wife of Governor Walter Goodland of Wisconsin.
1.5 miNE
Museum, Specialty museum, Science museum
Nauticus, Norfolk
38 min walk • Nauticus is a maritime-themed science center and museum located on the downtown waterfront in Norfolk, Virginia, also known as the National Maritime Center.
1.5 miNE
Museum, History museum, Maritime museum
Hampton Roads Naval Museum, Norfolk
38 min walk • The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S.
1 miE
Museum, Specialty museum, Military museum
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, Portsmouth
25 min walk • The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the associated Lightship Museum are located on the downtown Portsmouth, Virginia, United States waterfront.
0.6 miNE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
St. Paul's Catholic Church, Portsmouth
15 min walk • St. Paul's Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. It is a compact Gothic Revival style, cruciform plan church. It is constructed of load-bearing masonry walls clad in quarry-faced granite. The church was designed by John Peebles in 1897, and dedicated in 1905.
1.4 miNE
Park, Monuments and statues
Town Point Park, Norfolk
36 min walk • Town Point Park is a 7-acre waterfront city park on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. The park hosts major outdoor concerts, award-winning festivals and special events each year to include Norfolk Harborfest, Bayou Boogaloo, and 4th of July Celebrations.
0.7 miNE
Monuments and statues
Confederate Monument, Portsmouth
19 min walk • The Confederate Monument in Portsmouth, Virginia, was built between 1876 and 1881. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The monument is a 35-foot obelisk of North Carolina granite. It is located at the town square of Portsmouth, on Court Street at the corner of High Street.
0.7 miE
Concerts and shows, Historical place, Cinema
Commodore Theatre, Portsmouth
17 min walk • Commodore Theatre is an historic movie theater located at Portsmouth, Virginia. It was built in 1945, and is an Art Deco style, 1,000-seat theater building.
0.8 miE
Museum, Children's museum
Children's Museum of Virginia, Portsmouth
21 min walk • The Children's Museum of Virginia is the largest children's museum in the state of Virginia. It is located in Olde Town Portsmouth at 221 High Street. The museum has a planetarium and two floors of exhibits. Its antique toy and model train collection is one of the largest on the East Coast.
1.4 miNE
Monuments and statues
The Homecoming Statue, Norfolk
37 min walk • The Homecoming is a statue expressing the joy of reunion between a family when the sailor returns from a long period at sea. The statue honors the sacrifices made by families and members of all the sea services during long separations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Portsmouth Community Library?

Nearby attractions include Downtown Portsmouth Historic District, Portsmouth (13 min walk), Cedar Grove Cemetery, Portsmouth (15 min walk), St. Paul's Catholic Church, Portsmouth (15 min walk), Monumental Methodist Church, Portsmouth (16 min walk).

How to get to Portsmouth Community Library by public transport?

The nearest stations to Portsmouth Community Library:

Ferry

High Street • Lines: Elizabeth River Ferry (25 min walk)
North Landing • Lines: Elizabeth River Ferry (27 min walk)