In 1966, a small group of people in Suffolk and Nansemond County were interested in learning about the history of their area and in preserving the old buildings and artifacts still remaining from the past. Realizing that they had these concerns in common and that others might share them, they organized the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society.

This small group has grown into a membership of over six hundred and the Society has become an advocate for the community at large by bringing attention to people and places that are in danger of being forgotten or lost. To spotlight these important issues, the Society sponsors a Candlelight Tour each December, offering the public an opportunity to see inside charming old homes, churches and other architecturally significant buildings. At two general meetings a year, lectures and slide presentations are presented with speakers who are well-known in their respective fields.

Newsletters, bus trips, walking tours and dinner meetings are part of the Society's agenda. A number of informative booklets have been published and can be purchased at the Riddick's Folly Gift Shop and at the newly restored Seaboard Passenger Station on Main Street. The Society has also leased space in the old Nansemond County Courthouse, where a museum and archives will be created for everyone to enjoy. There you will be able to find many different collections and materials that have been donated and stored over the years.

The Society is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization. Funding is derived from membership dues, donations, grants, publication sales, and a variety of fundraising events. The Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society property company, Preservation of Historic Suffolk, Inc., has bought and sold several houses and currently owns the Seaboard Railroad Station. The Station houses a permanent railroad model and museum.

The mission of Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society is to collect, preserve, interpret, and promote awareness of the history and culture of Suffolk and old Nansemond County for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society envisions a community of citizens with a love and appreciation of our history, applying knowledge from the past in determining the path for the future.

SUFFOLK NANSEMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P.O. Box 1255
Suffolk, Virginia 23439-1255

Phone (757)539-2781
Email: snhs@verizon.net