There are several firsts associated with the Moses Myers House. Built in 1792, it was one of Norfolk’s first brick homes built after the Revolutionary War had destroyed much of the city. The property was the home of Moses Myers and his wife, the first permanent Jewish residents in the area. Myers was also one of the first millionaires in the United States after making a fortune from his import/export business.
The house stayed in the family for five generations. Three-quarters of the furnishings, portraits and everyday items on show are original to the house. Wander through the rooms at your own pace to see the writing desks, dining tables, beds and musical instruments that belonged to the family. They provide a good insight into the life of a prosperous family during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Admire the portraits of Moses and his wife Eliza that hang in the drawing room. Visit the kitchen that has changed little in more than two hundred years. Stand in the elegant garden that has been restored to late 18th-century style by the Garden Club of Virginia.
As you walk through the house, note some of its original features. These include the front door’s decorative portico, the ornate plasterwork on the ceiling of the main hall and much of the woodwork and flooring.
You can also take a one-hour guided tour of the property. Tours are available only by appointment and need to be booked at least two weeks in advance.
Situated on Freemason Street in downtown Norfolk, the house is easily reached by public transportation. Nearby streets have metered car parking.
Moses Myers House is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
