Myers House — Attraction in Norfolk

The Myers House is among the best historical house tours I’ve been on. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and able to answer any questions off the cuff (it didn’t feel like a memorized/scripted experience). I really didn’t know anything about the history of Jewish families in Norfolk, and the information I learned here was fascinating—some just generally about the Federalist style, too. There are also so many great stories and tidbits throughout the house that you wouldn’t know just by looking at the architecture, like the history behind the gold leaf on one of the fireplaces (no spoilers). I also appreciate that this museum is expanding its exhibit to include the history of enslaved people in the house. As our guide said, “It was their home too, even though they didn’t choose it.” I wish we could’ve stayed for longer, we got there 45 minutes before closing, but given that it was basically a private tour with a super knowledgeable person, I could’ve stayed for 3 hours...

The stately Moses Myers House and its peerless collection create an exceptionally accurate picture of the late Federal period and the life of this prosperous Jewish family. Moses Myers, an early American entrepreneur and leading citizen, built the house to accommodate his growing family and social prominence. The home passed down through several generations of the family to Norfolk mayor Barton Myers, who carried out early architectural restoration in 1892. The Moses Myers House was one of the first brick homes built in Norfolk after the Revolutionary War, during which saw most of the town leveled by British bombardment and subsequent fire. The home contains a remarkable number of furnishings original to the family, including Gilbert Stuart’s companion portraits of Moses Myers and his wife, Eliza, as well as works by...

A Wonderful Experience – Highly Recommend!

We visited this lovely Myers House on Saturday, 01/25/2025, and had an amazing time. Upon arrival, we asked the ladies at the front desk if a tour was available, and they were more than happy to accommodate us. The tour was incredibly informative and interactive, with just the two of us and the docent, which made it feel personal and engaging.

We’ve toured many historical homes over the years, and I can honestly say the two docents we had were among the best we've encountered. Their knowledge and enthusiasm really brought the history to life.

We highly recommend this tour to anyone in the area! It's a wonderful way to support local museums and nonprofits while learning about the rich history...