A Matter of Public Opinion: How The Jamestown Exposition Built Naval Station Norfolk

This article argues that the Jamestown Exposition of 1907 was pivotal in the creation of Naval Station Norfolk (NAVSTA), now the largest naval installation in the United States. It demonstrates that beyond economic considerations, the exposition’s military displays fundamentally reshaped public opinion in the Hampton Roads area, transforming sailors from an unwelcome presence into a valued civic and strategic asset. By tracing nearly a decade of local advocacy following the exposition, the article contends that this shift in public sentiment was the decisive factor influencing Congress to establish a permanent naval base at Norfolk.

Issue XXIContent EditorsDecember 17, 2025norfolk naval station, history, jamestown exposition, the navy