HISTORY COMES ALIVE WITH RECONSTRUCTION OF “OLD NORFOLK” AT THE NORFOLK HISTORY MUSEUM

Celebrate the History of Norfolk’s Evolving Transportation Systems and the Rebirth of the Light Rail System

(NORFOLK, VA)— Don’t just learn about the history of Norfolk, be a part of it at the Chrysler Museum of Art’s Historic Houses this year. Observe expert engineers from the Tidewater Division of the National Model Railroading Association and ask questions as they reconstruct the “Norfolk & Western” and “The Virginian” railways complete with lights, sound, and scenery of the city as it appeared years ago in the new exhibition, Crossroads: Transportation in Norfolk. The exhibition is open now through April 6, 2008 at the Norfolk History Museum in downtown Norfolk and promises to be a fun-filled, yet educational extravaganza for children and families. This event is free and open to the public, and construction will be available for viewing on Saturdays and Sundays.

“We are thrilled to unveil the first new exhibition at the Norfolk History Museum since it opened just two years ago,” says Jeanne Bollendorf, Manager of the Historic Houses. “At its inception, the Norfolk History Museum was envisioned as a place to share Norfolk's rich history with residents and visitors alike. With the opening of this exhibition, we are doing just that–telling the story of transportation from eras past and highlighting its future. Come join us as we make history.”

Crossroads: Transportation in Norfolk explores the unique history of the city’s evolving transportation systems including waterways, airways, railroads, and of course, automobiles. Norfolk has transformed itself several times over, and this exhibition showcases an exciting array of photographs and artifacts that demonstrates the various methods citizens used to get around town.  Journey through time and discover the amazing technological advances that have been made from the time of the horse and buggy, to tomorrow’s light rail system.

The exhibition will also feature several artifacts on loan from the Hampton Roads Transit, the City of Norfolk. Among the items on display are an electronic parking meter, a bus fare box from the year 1944, and an 8x8-ft model of the Norfolk & Western and Virginian railways. This miniature replica of Norfolk will feature landmarks from the old Norfolk & Western passenger depot to the ferry landing. Visitors will see wagons and streetcars, wharves on the river bustling with activity, and scenery including vanished buildings from Norfolk’s past such as the old city market, the grand downtown hotels, and some familiar today like MacArthur Memorial, once City Hall until 1918. Guests will also be able to test their traffic control skills by operating a fully functional traffic light.

This exhibition will be available for public viewing through April 6, 2008.

Members of the media in need of high-resolution images of the exhibition may contact the Office of Communications at 757.333.6295 or publicrelations@chrysler.org for more information.