Mariners’ Museum takes guests around the world without leaving Newport News

The Mariners’ Museum and Park will allow visitors to get up close and personal with artifacts that have rarely, or possibly never, been seen by the public at the fourth annual Mariners’ Gallery Crawl on Saturday, September 22. The Mariners’ Gallery Crawl is presented by TowneBank.

For one night only, the public is invited to visit international ports without leaving Newport News.  Guests will be given a commemorative glass and Port of Call Card upon arrival. The Card will direct guests through some of the Museum’s galleries as they marvel at unexpected discoveries of some of the objects in its collection. Guests will enjoy themed beverages and foods at each stop. Collections experts and conservators will present international artifacts to guests and explain the unique stories behind each object. Musicians will provide live music entertainment throughout the evening.

Only two percent of The Mariners’ Museum’s vast collection is currently on display. This event is a chance for guests to experience specially selected artifacts normally stored behind closed doors. The Museum’s collections experts have made unique discoveries while researching these artifacts and will be sharing those stories during the event.  As guests sip, savor, and explore at the Museum, they will be able to connect with history in a way that is personal and relevant to them.

The Mariners’ Gallery Crawl takes place on Saturday, September 22 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 for guests and $40 for Museum Members. Tickets may be purchased at MarinersMusem.org/gallerycrawl or by calling (757) 591-5124.

The Mariners’ Gallery Crawl is presented by TowneBank. Currently, the event’s catering and vendor sponsors include The Cooking Lady, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Williamsburg Concession and Catering, Colonial DJs, Yummy Goodness Catering, Jeff’s Flowers of Course, Traditions Catering, and Tucano’s Brazilian Grill.

The Mariners’ Museum and Park connects people to the world’s waters because through the water – through our shared maritime heritage – we are connected to one another. The organization is an educational, non-profit institution accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and preserves and interprets maritime history through an international collection of ship models, figureheads, paintings, and other maritime artifacts. The Mariners’ Museum is home to the USS Monitor Center, and is surrounded by the 550-acre Mariners’ Museum Park, one of the largest privately maintained parks open to the public in North America. The Mariners’ Museum Library is the largest maritime library in the Western hemisphere. Because of the Museum’s world-class collection and its reputation for high-level exhibits and programs, in 1999, the U.S. Congress designated The Mariners’ Museum as one of only two maritime museums that comprise America’s National Maritime Museum.  For hours and information, visit MarinersMuseum.org, call (757) 596-2222 or write to The Mariners’ Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.