On Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests can climb the old and new Cape Henry lighthouses in Virginia Beach for National Lighthouse Day.
It is a rare opportunity, as the “new” lighthouse, built in 1881, is still in service and is only open to the public once a year.
The event features crafts and family activities, providing an opportunity to learn about maritime life through local museums.
The old Cape Henry lighthouse, the first federally funded project of the U.S. government, was authorized in August of 1789 by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton.
It is located near the "First Landing" site of early English explorers headed to Jamestown and it guided seafarers for almost 100 years before the new lighthouse was built. It is included in the city’s seal.
The event is free and open to the public. The lighthouses are on the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, an active military base, and a shuttle will carry people from the security gate to the lighthouses. Guests 16 and older must have a valid REAL ID. Visit preservationvirginia.org/historic-sites/cape-henry-lighthouse for more information.