The Sloane family collected art during their global travels, resulting in a diverse mix of Asian, European, and American works.
The house retains much of its original Arts and Crafts aesthetic, including hand-carved woodwork and custom tile work.
The 12-acre property includes a dedicated sculpture trail that showcases rotating outdoor installations.
The museum functions as a center for the visual arts in Norfolk, hosting a variety of rotating exhibitions and educational workshops.
The estate was donated to the public by Florence Sloane to ensure the preservation of its collections and natural landscape.
The Hermitage Museum & Gardens is a historic Arts and Crafts estate situated on 12 acres along the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Virginia. The site centers on a 42-room residence originally built in 1908 by William and Florence Sloane. It features an extensive collection of over 5,000 objects ranging from 5,000-year-old antiquities to contemporary international art. The grounds include formal gardens, a rose garden, and a wooded sculpture trail. The museum offers community art classes, youth programs, and seasonal workshops within its studio facilities. As of July 2026, the estate maintains its status as an accredited cultural institution emphasizing the intersection of historic preservation and contemporary creativity.
The arched stone bridge within the formal gardens offers an ideal frame for photos of the historic manor.
Walk the wooded sculpture trail that winds along the riverbank for views of the local maritime environment.
Check the museum's online calendar before visiting to see if your trip coincides with a community art workshop.
Wear comfortable footwear as the path between the main house and the garden areas involves walking on uneven terrain.
Do not attempt to walk through the landscaped garden beds or touch the historic interior furnishings.
Closed on Mondays.
Photography is permitted in the gardens, but flash photography is prohibited inside the museum galleries to protect the historic artifacts.
