Maritime Preservation and Mermaids in Norfolk, VA
Maritime Preservation and a Little Folk Lore — USS Wisconsin and Mermaids in Norfolk, VA
Ahoy!
Maritime preservation is important to the people of Norfolk, VA. It is both a part of their history and their daily life.
I was curious and wanted to find out more about their most famous warship and also about the related folklore that has led this historical town to become synonymous with the sirens of the sea, Mermaids.
I should first point out that Norfolk has about 50 areas of significance on the National Register of Historic Places. [1] They also have many of those same sites, and additional sites, on the Virginia Landmarks Register. [2]
The places on the National Register include the Downtown Norfolk Historic District and the adjacent Downtown Norfolk Financial Historic District, and many other historically significant areas on land. But there is an over-arching maritime theme of this town that manifests all around town all over the city. Norfolk loves mermaids and they believe these mythical beings of folklore and fantasy are the perfect representative of the town’s maritime roots and history.
Mermaids found their place in Norfolk’s history in 1999, so their presence in town has not yet passed the fifty-year mark (required for landmark consideration). However, in 2011, The USS Wisconsin was added to the National Register of Historic Places, further honoring Norfolk’s maritime roots and solidifying its homage to mermaids (who of course were said to lure sailors, and sometimes, save them). Now there are 80 mermaid statues around town and they match the town’s mermaid logo. [3] There is even a map of where you can find the mermaids in their land-based homes.
“Norfolk has a thing for mermaids, those sea nymphs of mythical beauty are found all over the city,” says Amy Trotter Houston, writing in FWT Magazine. “Mermaids on Parade, a public art project, features dozens of mermaid statues, each decorated by a local artist. As you explore the city keep an eye out for the elusive creatures. Seeing as mermaid legends were often tied to seafarers, Norfolk’s nautical history is ripe for exploring.” [4]
Background on the USS Wisconsin
The rich history of this vessel is described in detail in the nomination form. It says the areas of significance are MARITIME HISTORY, MILITARY HISTORY, and ENGINEERING. It notes the periods of significance as: January 25, 1941–July 1, 1948; March 3, 1951–March 8, 1958;
July 1, and, 1986–September 30, 1991. And they explain how it meets the criteria G in this way.
“Wisconsin meets the requirements for National Register eligibility under Criteria Consideration G. From 1986 until 1988, Wisconsin underwent significant modernization. Although the hull, profile, main batteries, and power plant remained unchanged since World War II, much of the ship, especially armament and auxiliary ships systems, underwent modification. During the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War, Wisconsin played a crucial role as strike director for the Tomahawk Land Assault Missile (TLAM) strikes; in contrast, during both World War II
and the Korean War, Wisconsin had been relegated to a support role. Thus, Wisconsin’s greatest — and national — significance dates from 1986 until 1991.” [5] https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/122-5414_USS_Wisconsin_2011_NRHP_FINAL.pdf
DHR | Virginia Department of Historic Resources offers a powerful description of this maritime treasure on its website. They say: “The USS Wisconsin is an Iowa-class battleship, the largest class of battleships the U.S. ever built…As an Iowa-class ship, Wisconsin is one of the last four battleships built by the U.S. Navy, which laid down the ship’s keel at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in January 1941.” [6]
Norfolk’s Maritime Marvels
They have a great waterway known as Hampton Roads. It is said this is the area where the James River empties into the Chesapeake Bay. It is hailed as one of “the world’s largest natural harbors” and it is also the home to the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. [7]
Steve Stephens, of The Columbus Dispatch, reports that maritime history traces back two centuries. “Travelers can experience the entire gamut of that history, from the first federally funded lighthouse to the latest in seagoing super-weapons, in one short visit to the region, which includes the cities of Norfolk, Newport News, and Virginia Beach,” Stephens reports.
The centerpiece museum of maritime history is Nauticus, described as a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. They have exhibits, a sailing academy, and their own schooner. But they also have the USS Wisconsin. Nauticus is guarded by the huge battleship and this titan of a ship is also the biggest draw. There are offerings of exhibits and special features offered within Wisconsin. In 2018, they added a Ship Experience Access Room (SEAR) to create a multimedia way that people who are unable to physically take the tour can experience Battleship Wisconsin. [8]
Stephens describes his experience exploring “six levels of the venerable 887-foot-long warship” that launched in 1943 and was decommissioned in 1991. [9]
“Walking around its massive guns and turrets, sensing its huge armored bulk under me, I could almost feel the power that the ship projected around the world for parts of six decades,” writes Stephens. [10] From the outside, it is a stunning and commanding site. “The USS Wisconsin, which saw action in World War II, Vietnam and Desert Storm, competes with hotels and office buildings for dominance of the Norfolk skyline, with a masthead rising 165 feet above the water.” [11]
While there, Stephens sighted destroyers, cruisers, and amphibious assault vehicles of Naval Station Norfolk and the docked hospital ship USNS Comfort. On a tour of the Port of Virginia, he noted it was teeming with a commercial complex of docks, cranes, shipyards and rail lines with links to shipping around the world.
How the Mermaid Lore Evolved
Legend has it that Pete Decker, Jr. (1935–2012) brought the idea of mermaids at Nauticus during a breakfast with 300 Norfolk leaders. There is a page on The Decker Law Firm website, titled Decker’s City of Mermaids, that says, “the concept is attributed to his wife, Bess, who had recently returned from Chicago and suggested Norfolk do something similar to the Windy City’s ‘Cows on Parade’ art exhibit.” [12]
“Mermaids were picked to represent Norfolk’s nautical heritage, and the idea took off from there. Within a few months, local bronze sculptors mass-produced 130 life-size mermaid castings, and talented artists from all over Norfolk were commissioned to bring the castings to life.” The painted mermaids are “all different and special with their own quirky personalities.” “Mermaids on Parade” started in November, 2000 and they have since become a symbol of Norfolk pride. [13]
They have become a highly recognizable symbol of the city.
While some may think that mermaids are a bit fanciful in the context of a town that is home to so much serious maritime military history, Norfolk is proud of their maritime connection to the maids of the sea. While they are too young a concept to become part of a historical designation, they live all around town in historical places.
“Today mermaids are found throughout the City, downtown, and in many neighborhoods,” says the City of Norfolk website. “Some are old, some are new. They live in front of businesses, schools, hospitals, and homeowners’ yards. Thanks to the Norfolk Sister City Association and other special events, there are mermaids all over the world. Some have had to be completely redone due to damage by the elements or unfortunately by vandals. Norfolk artist Georgia Mason creates new mermaids for organizations, individuals, and businesses. But one thing has remained since their appearance: they are truly loved by young and old, visitors and residents alike.”
You Can Be a Mermaid Spotter
The City of Norfolk has put together a clever interactive Mermaid Spotter Map that you can use when you visit this website.
If you come across a mermaid, the City of Norfolk would love you to take a photo of her or a selfie with her, and post it to social media with the hashtags #NorfolkMermaids and #NorfolkOpenData!
Norfolk also has a rich underwater heritage. It is not just specific to Norfolk, but related, and you can find out more here.
-Mar 26, 2023
SOURCES
[1] National Register of Historic Places, “National Register of Historic Places — Virginia (VA), Norfolk County,” nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com, accessed March 26, 2023,.
[2] DHR Virginia, “Norfolk (Ind. City) Downtown Norfolk Financial Historic District,” www.dhr.virginia.gov, accessed March 26, 2023.
[3] “History of the Norfolk Mermaids | City of Norfolk, Virginia — Official Website,” Norfolk Government, accessed March 26, 2023.
[4] Amy Trotter Houston, “Norfolk, Virginia: Where Mermaids Mingle with History and Art,” Food, Wine & Travel, September 4, 2016, .
[5] “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form,” accessed March 26, 2023.
[6] DHR Virginia, “122–5414 USS Wisconsin,” www.dhr.virginia.gov, accessed March 26, 2023.
[7] Steve Stephens, “Hampton Roads Region a Hub of Maritime History, U.S. Naval Might, Sea Trade,” The Columbus Dispatch, accessed March 26, 2023.
[8] “Nauticus & the Battleship Wisconsin,” Nauticus & The Battleship Wisconsin, accessed March 26, 2023.
[9] Stephens
[10] Stephens
[11] Stephens
[12] “Pete Decker, Jr. Introduced the Idea for Norfolk’s Mermaids,” The Decker Law Firm, accessed March 26, 2023.
[13] The Decker Law Firm
