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Portsmouth, Virginia

Located in Independent City, Virginia, Portsmouth was founded in 1752. Norfolk Naval Shipyard is actually in Portsmouth, not Norfolk. The CSS Virginia (formerly Merrimac) was rebuilt here as the first Confederate ironclad.

Founded 1752 | Population 97,000 | Peak 97,000 (2024) | County Independent City

Top 10 Most Important Events for Portsmouth, Virginia

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1752Founded: Colonial port city across from Norfolk.

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1799Norfolk Naval Shipyard: Oldest and largest U.S. naval shipyard (despite name, it's in Portsmouth).

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1861Merrimac/Virginia: CSS Virginia (ironclad) built at shipyard.

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2010Olde Towne Revival: Historic district revitalization.

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Latest News in Portsmouth

Feb 20, 2026

Dad And Son Charged With 216 Counts Of Incest, Pay The Price

A father and son in West Virginia has been charged with over 216 counts of incest, sexual assault and sexual abuse that involved t…

Complete Historical Timeline

1752 Culture

Founded

1799 Government

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

1861 Disaster

Merrimac/Virginia

2010 Business

Olde Towne Revival

Did You Know?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard is actually in Portsmouth, not Norfolk.

The CSS Virginia (formerly Merrimac) was rebuilt here as the first Confederate ironclad.

Oldest continuously operating naval shipyard in the United States.

Portsmouth is located in Independent City, Virginia.

Portsmouth was founded in 1752.

Famous People from Portsmouth, Virginia

Missy Elliott

Actor, Singer · Born Jul 1, 1971 · Age 54

Patton Oswalt

Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jan 27, 1969 · Age 57

LaShawn Merritt

Sprinter, Athletics Competitor · Born Jun 27, 1986 · Age 39

Wanda Sykes

Screenwriter, Writer · Born Mar 7, 1964 · Age 61

Radia Perlman

Computer Scientist, Mathematician · Born Dec 18, 1951 · Age 74

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