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Turn a lighthouse visit into a hands-on conservation lesson for the whole family. STEM Day at Cape Henry Lighthouse blends guided tower access, marine science demos, and practical beach-clean techniques at a historic maritime site.
Turn a lighthouse visit into a hands-on conservation lesson for the whole family. STEM Day at Cape Henry Lighthouse blends guided tower access, marine science demos, and practical beach-clean techniques at a historic maritime site.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Preservation Virginia · Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cape Henry Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on the grounds of Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, and hosts a family-focused STEM Day that trains kids to become Marine Conservation Warriors. The program, called STEM Day at Cape Henry Lighthouse, is a guided 1.5-hour session based at 583 Atlantic Ave, Fort Story, VA 23459, combining a supervised climb with hands-on lessons about ocean debris, shorebird ID, and practical cleanup techniques. The old brick tower is a visible maritime landmark whose salt-streaked masonry and lantern room tell a history of 19th-century navigation while the exposed shore and sand dunes illustrate the fragile coastal systems volunteers aim to protect. Staff from Preservation Virginia run interactive stations where children test simple science experiments, sort marine debris, learn species identification, and practice actions they can take at home to limit plastic and runoff. Because the lighthouse lies inside an active military base, all visitors aged 18 and older without base access must submit SECNAV Form 5512 between five and thirty days before their scheduled visit, present a valid REAL ID or passport, and use scheduled shuttles from the base gate. Timed tickets are required and drivers who plan to bring a vehicle must show registration and proof of insurance at the gate; pedestrians and bicyclists follow the same background-check timeline but may enter without driving. The visit lasts about 1.5 hours and is ideal for families and school groups; children must be at least 42 inches tall to climb and adults cannot carry children up the tower. Safety rules are enforced: the tower closes during thunderstorms, lightning, and when interior heat reaches a 115°F heat-index threshold, so plan cooler morning or late-afternoon visits in summer. Why it matters: this program anchors conservation education at the place where maritime history meets modern coastal management, giving families concrete skills and a memorable, short-format field lesson. For questions or to arrange access, call 757-422-9421 or email [email protected]; timed tickets and background checks require advance planning. Bring sun protection, refillable water, sturdy shoes for uneven concrete and sand, and a small notebook for observations; binoculars help with shorebird viewing and a simple grabber and gloves let curious kids practice safe debris collection. Parking and shuttle logistics make arrival timing important; reserve early, submit required forms on time, and plan to arrive at the base gate at least 30 minutes before your ticketed shuttle to complete credentials. The site is a meaningful combination of living history, coastal ecology, and hands-on stewardship — an efficient family outing that sparks long-term interest in marine science. STEM Day at Cape Henry Lighthouse channels curiosity into practical action, and for parents it’s a low-cost, high-impact way to teach ocean stewardship.
Yes. Visitors 18 and older without a base pass must complete SECNAV Form 5512 between five and thirty days before the reservation. Processing is handled by JEBFS and access is not granted until approved.
Per JEBFS policy, foreign nationals without a US Department of War security pass are restricted from visiting the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse.
All visitors over 18 must present a valid REAL ID or passport at the gate; drivers should also have vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
Only ADA service animals are permitted on site, but the final ladder to the top is not accessible and the tower itself may be restrictive.
The tower will close for thunderstorms, lightning, and if interior heat reaches a 115°F heat-index; Preservation Virginia will provide notifications and may refund if access is denied due to base security.
All climbers must be at least 42 inches tall; adults are not permitted to carry children for safety reasons.
Preservation Virginia is a Richmond, Virginia-based organization that operates and interprets historic sites and educational programs across the state. The organization presents guided tours, hands-on workshops, documentary-style tours, and virtual programs that highlight Virginia’s colonial, revolutionary, and 19th-century history. Preservation Virginia’s portfolio of sites and programs includes Bacon’s Castle (built in 1665 and recognized as North America’s oldest brick home), the historic landing site at Cape Henry Lighthouse, Smith’s Fort with surviving earthworks and an 18th-century manor house, Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown—the remaining house of the famed orator—and the John Marshall House in Richmond. Programming spans in-person tours and remote learning: the John Marshall House offers a 45-minute tour; the Courtmaker Documentary Tour of the Marshall House provides an intimate look at family artifacts; the Beginners Genealogy Research Workshop at Bacon’s Castle is taught by genealogist Sarah Carson; and multiple virtual programs bring lighthouse history and Revolutionary War sea battles to students. Educational offerings also include the Augustus Hodges virtual program, focused on Willis Hodges—Cape Henry Lighthouse’s first African American keeper and abolitionist—and the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper kids program. Preservation Virginia’s events and tours emphasize primary sources, artifacts, architecture, and site-specific stories to connect visitors with Virginia’s past. All descriptions and program leaders are provided in third-person; visitors should consult Preservation Virginia’s official listings for booking and availability.
Book with Preservation Virginia