Did you know that 2019 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Virginia is for Lovers tourism slogan? To tie in with this special golden anniversary, we’re seeking stories about Newport News that date back to 1969 or earlier.

To kick things off, we’ll share a 50-year tourism-related story with you, as told to us by Howard Waters with Waters & Bridgman Marketing Solutions. It was Howard’s father, Leonard Waters, who designed the first logo and display stand for Newport News Tourism.

The First Logo & Display for Newport News Tourism

“In those days, the Newport News Tour was the city’s tourism promotion effort,” Waters said. “It came under the guidance of Michael Poplawski’s predecessor, Ronnie Burroughs.” Waters Advertising Agency, as it was known in those days, represented Newport News and designed a display in the late 1960s to tout all of the city’s tourism assets.

“The shape of the sign was selected because it was graphically similar to the front view of an aircraft carrier which is, of course, what Newport News was world-famous for,” Waters explained. Part of Newport News Tourism’s mission at that time was to participate in conferences and conventions that came anywhere near the Virginia Peninsula, Waters said, and this picture, taken in March 1970, was taken during one of those events:

According to Waters: “For some reason, when Miss Newport News was available to appear at those events they seemed to hand out a lot more brochures than when she wasn’t!” Waters went on to say that the Commonwealth of Virginia used to lease space in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, just steps away from The Today Show’s outdoor broadcasts. Each month, the state would invite a different city to set up a tourism display in the floor-to-ceiling window of the space. 

When it was Newport News’ turn, Leonard Waters and Ronnie Burroughs dismantled the display, loaded it into Burroughs’ City of Newport News vehicle (a Ford station wagon) and drove it to Manhattan. After arriving in Rockefeller Center, the two would re-assemble the display, where it would promote Newport News for the entire month!

Christmastime in Newport news

“By far the very best memory of Newport News would have to be the Christmas lights down Washington Avenue. My grandparents lived on 33rd and 47th Street so we were down there all the time and got to see them almost every day but they were something to see and people would come from all over to walk down Washington Avenue and especially if it was snowing it was the best!!” - A cherished memory from Vicki Sterling

Photo Credit: Newport News Public Libraries, Virginiana Room (Photo taken in Newport News on Washington Ave. circa 1944)

Your Turn: we want to hear your stories

Please share your 50-year memories with us during our 50 Years of Love promotion! We’ll be posting memories on Facebook and Instagram every Friday for 50 days – and we’d love to include yours, too, including your old photos! As a thank you for sharing your 50-year memories and photos with us, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card. Stay tuned for other possible prizes, too, depending on how many memories are shared during our 50 Years of Love promotion, July 26 through Sept. 13, 2019. 

Share your story in one of three ways: Visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/newportnewsvirginia and look for our Friday posts inviting you to share your 50-year memories. Send us a direct message through Facebook Messenger. Email us at tourism-mailing@nnva.gov.

Below are some ideas to jog your memory! :)

• (Pictured above: "Monty's", now known as Monty's Penguin in its original building Downtown Newport News)
• And let’s not forget the Newport News businesses that have been around for at least a half-century, too!  Tell us your favorite stories about some of these places and more!
• -Did your parents take you to Dean & Don’s every fall to pick out the perfect pumpkin?
• -Did you celebrate special occasions at Port Arthur?
• -Was the Hot Dog King your favorite restaurant as a kid?
• -Did your grandmother store her furs for the summer at Silverman’s?
• -Were hot summer nights spent at Monte’s Penguin for soft-serve ice cream?
• -Did you eat at the wooden picnic tables behind What-A-Burger?
• -Who remembers the soda fountain at Hidenwood Pharmacy?
• -Did your engagement ring – or another piece of special jewelry – come from Hauser’s?

• One last thing – please use the following hashtags so we can keep track of your memories: #LOVENN #LOVEVA #SHAREWHATYOULOVE. We can't wait to hear from you!

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