Portsmouth Olde Towne Historic District

Portsmouth Olde Towne Historic District is a historic area in Portsmouth that contains 89 buildings spread across 138 acres. The buildings show Federal and Greek Revival styles arranged in a grid layout along its streets.

Colonel William Crawford donated about 65 acres of land in 1752 to establish Portsmouth and its historic center. The district received National Register of Historic Places status in 1970, recognizing its historical importance.

Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1857 by Black worshippers, houses one of the city's oldest Black congregations. The church remains a visible reminder of the community's long presence and resilience in this neighborhood.

The district stretches from Crawford Parkway to London Street, with boundaries along the Elizabeth River and to the west of Washington, Green, and Queen streets. Walking during daylight hours lets you navigate the paved streets easily and see the architecture clearly.

The district contains basement houses from different periods with varied styles like Queen Anne, Late Victorian, and Romanesque Revival. These partially underground dwellings reveal a distinct chapter in the area's development across centuries.

Location: Portsmouth

GPS coordinates: 36.83890,-76.30190

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:44