In observance of the Battle of Hampton Roads’ upcoming 159th anniversary, The Mariners’ Museum and Park will offer virtual programming on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 to commemorate the famous Civil War Battle that changed modern naval history forever.

When the Union ironclad USS Monitor and the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia encountered each other at a roadstead where the Elizabeth and Nansemond rivers meet the James River on March 8, 1862, the two ironclads fought for hours. While neither inflicted significant damage on the other and the battle ended in a draw, it also demonstrated a supremacy of iron over wood and garnered worldwide attention that had immediate effects on navies around the world.

Join The Mariners’ Museum and its team of experts as they explore different and intriguing facets of this famous Civil War battle, such as:

• How were ironclads developed?
• What were the lives of the sailors like?
• How does romanticism and patriotism connect to this famous battle?
• What new surprises have our Conservation team discovered?

Viewers are welcome to send any comments or questions to the presenters, and they will answer following the presentation.