The Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum Has A Fascinating And Haunting History
By Beth|Published May 10, 2020
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Virginia has an incredible collection of unique museums that offer insight into our state’s residents, history, and culture. Perhaps one of the most fascinating and underrated of them all is the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum. Located right on Atlantic Avenue, this building once operated as the Old Coast Guard Station. Today, visitors can learn about the history of the beach as well as the area’s maritime heritage.
Built in 1903, the building which now houses the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum holds an impressive amount of history.
The water at Virginia Beach is notoriously treacherous, given that it is the confluence of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, it was important for the city to have a team of guards and rescuers at the ready.
The hotel industry in Virginia Beach noticed that visitors from out of town were liable to drown in the water if there wasn't proper supervision. Therefore, hotels would hire young men from the Life Saving Service.
There's also a portion of the museum dedicated to shipwrecks. Visitors can marvel at some of the various items that have washed ashore over the past century.
In fact, the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Team is considered to be one of the city's most haunted locations. At one time, the attic was used to house the bodies of shipwrecked victims until they could be claimed.
Visitors have reported hearing maniacal laughing as well as other disembodied voices near the building.
Curious to learn more about the first lifeguards of Virginia Beach? Be sure to watch this brief video below, courtesy of the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum:
Have you visited this museum before? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience!
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