Norfolk History Museum at the Willoughby-Baylor House (1794)

Norfolk History Museum at the Willoughby-Baylor House, 601 East Freemason Street, was built in 1794 by Captain William Willoughby, a descendant of English immigrant Captain Thomas Willoughby I, who was the recipient of a 1636 Royal grant of 200 acres – 50 of which would become the town of Norfolk in 1682. The house remained in the family until 1890 when it was sold. It subsequently fell into decline and was slated for demolition until it was bought and restored by the Norfolk Historic Foundation in 1964.

It has been administered by The Chrysler Museum of Art since 1969 and opened as the Norfolk History Museum on September 10, 2005. The current exhibition showcases various aspects of Norfolk’s architectural, commercial, maritime and military history through objects from the Chrysler Museum’s collection and other institutions and private citizens.

The garden, designed by Siska Aurand Landscape Architects, was installed in 1991 and represents the most current understanding of colonial gardens at that point, complete with period oyster shell paving.

Admission is free, and the museum is open Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 12 – 4 p.m. Self-guided.

For more information or images, please contact the Chrysler at (757) 664-6200 or museum@chrysler.org.

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