Note: Lightship Portsmouth has two markers for the Path of History and a designation as a National Historic Landmark. This is the final of three posts here, one for each snarf.

Well, I’m glad this is the last post in this series. I’m getting tired of writing about this lightship. I’ll have to consider whether there’s a good way to consolidate cases like this, without having a single post so long that NOBODY will look at it! (And I’m glad I didn’t make a museum visit, which would be another snarf/entry.)

National Historic Landmark
U.S. Lightship No. 101 Portsmouth

Location: At the Water St end of London St, Portsmouth, VA 23704.

Visited: June 1, 2009, 1:15pm

Transcription of marker:

U.S. Lightship No. 101
Portsmouth

has been designated a

National Historic Landmark

This vessel possesses national significance
in commemorating the history of the
United States of America

1989

National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

My impressions: I think my impressions have been fully covered in the previous two posts. This marker itself, unlike the Walk of History markers or the state marker programs, isn’t intended to tell us much about the landmark, but simply to let us know that the landmark is here. Markers can explain history, but a landmark designation plaque alerts us to the presence of history and it’s up to us to look up and find it or walk in and experience it.

Notes for future snarfers: This marker is between the lightship and the street. The next closest marker related to the lightship is along the path to the left of the lightship as you face this marker. The other is along the sea wall behind the lightship.

Markeroni status: This landmark is awaiting inclusion in the Markeroni database.

Update (6/7): This marker was included in the Markeroni database yesterday and I logged my visit this morning.