The History of the Organization
Historic Port Royal, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995, and is the official historical society of the Town of Port Royal, Virginia. We are dedicated to preserving and restoring non-privately owned structures/buildings, properties, and artifacts all while striving to keep alive the town's legacy and rich history. We operate with a 100% volunteer staff, governed by an elected Board of Directors, and depend on public and private donations and/or grants, and fundraising for operational funding.
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The structures of the Town Hall, Lyceum, Doctor's Office, and remnants of the only female owned tobacco franchise in the American Colonies have been and continue to be our major structural/property restoration projects. A self-guided Walking Tour, with established historical markers in designated areas, has been created and is available to all who visit. In addition, we have now opened three museums (a fourth is coming) that are full of historical artifacts from Port Royal, Caroline and some surrounding areas. Our artifacts are also being documented in a nationally used museum software database - after they've been identified, researched, labeled, displayed and/or stored. This will further enhance the services and information we can provide in the future.
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Historic Port Royal Milestones
1997
Secured ownership of the Lyceum and Masonic Lodge, a 2-story brick structure on King Street completed in 1854. The building served as Town Hall and community center of Port Royal, and was the home of Port Royal Kilwinning Crosse Lodge, whose charter dated December 1, 1755, establishing it one of the earliest Masonic lodges established in the New World.
1999
Through grants and community contributions totaling approximately $60,000, Historic Port Royal stabilized the Lyceum building and replaced the entire rood structure.
2001
Participated in the effort to save Dr. Harris’s medical office, originally located on the corner of Water and Market Streets. Tt was moved from Market Street to Port Royal Town Green and restored. It currently serves as the Port Royal Museum of Medicine, operated by Historic Port Royal.
2010
The Port Royal Museum of American History opened in the former Union Bank building on Main Street. Much of the founding collections include the Skinner Family Native American artifacts and Herbert Collins furniture, toleware, Sidney King paintings, and White House china. The one-room Old Port Royal Schoolhouse, built 1924 and restored in 1995, was opened for public tours. Both the museum and the schoolhouse were leased from Union Bank for $1 per year.
2013
The Portrait Gallery in Port Royal Town Hall on King Street, exhibiting paintings of notable historic figure with ties to the region, was opened. Three display cases showcasing local artifacts were added.
2015
Historic Port Royal’s accessioning and collections management was upgraded with new computers and software with the help of a grant through the Community Foundation.
2016
Union Bank formally presented the deed to the museum property and the Old Port Royal Schoolhouse to Historic Port Royal during the organization’s 17th Annual Independence Day Celebration.
The Murray House, built circa 1740, was donated to Historic Port Royal.
The Silver Companies committed $100,000 over three years toward the restoration of the Murray House.
2017
The 19th-century eight-sided meat house formally located at the Peyton House on King Street was donated to Historic Port Royal. It was relocated to the Port Royal Museum lot and restored.
2018
Building upgrades and repairs included a new HVAC system in the Port Royal Museum, insulation of the Old Port Royal School attic, and electrical and HVAC repairs in the Medical Museum. Old Port Royal roof was stripped and repainted with a grant from Community Foundation.
2022
The Murray House was electrified, and the air conditioning unit was installed. Insulation and drywall were installed and the walls were painted.
2025
Building upgrades and repairs including cleaning and recapping chimneys of Port Royal Museum and Murray House, Old Port Royal School floor repairs and resealing, interior painting, and porch repairs