Portsmouth

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The city of Portsmouth, Virginia is considered part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and supports a population of roughly 95,535 residents based on the latest census numbers.

Within Portsmouth, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard is a historic and active U.S. Navy facility which is normally called the Norfolk Navy Yard that is really located in Portsmouth than Norfolk. The name "Norfolk" was chosen in order to avoid confusion with the city of Portsmouth, within New Hampshire. This is where a naval shipyard previously existed once the Virginia facility initially opened. The shipyard repairs, rebuilds and remodels all types of Navy ships.

Portsmouth is located exactly opposite of Norfolk and also offers miles of waterfront land on the Elizabeth River and is part of the harbor along the Hampton Roads. Between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth, there is a ferry boat which brings passengers to and from across the water.

A shipbuilder named John Wood saw that the future site of Portsmouth would be a suitable shipbuilding location. He petitioned King James I of England for a land grant and soon after, the surrounding region was settled as a plantation community.

Portsmouth was officially established during the year 1752, during an act of the Virginia General Assembly on behalf of Col. William Crawford. Crawford, a merhmerchant ship owner, dedicated the four corners for High and Court streets for a church, a market, a jail and a courthouse. The township was named for Portsmouth England. The area known as Old Towne features amongst the largest collections of historically important houses between Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina and Alexandria. The AME or also referred to as Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is located within Olde Town and was constructed by many free men and slaves. It is the oldest African American church in Portsmouth and the 2nd oldest building in Portsmouth.

There are a variety of historic buildings within Portsmouth like the Pass House which was constructed by Judge James Murdaugh during 1841, many of which occupied Union troops from 1862 until the year 1865. Regulations by federal forces required Portsmouth residents to get a written pass to travel across the Elizabeth River and locations beyond. These passes were issued from the English basement and that is the way the name "Pass House" came about.

The city has a rich history as a port township. The Olde Towne Business and Historical District is found within the downtown region and there has been a combination of redevelopment and conservation underway there. Like for instance, the Hawthorn Hotel and Suites, situated at the Governor Dinwiddie Hotel, was closed for more than ten years before being reopened during 2005 after being renovated and reopened. This building has been recognized by the Historic Hotels of America. This is a program of the National Trust for Historical Preservation that identifies hotels that maintained their historical integrity, ambiance and architecture. The society also offers resources for their preservation.