Old Dominion University
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Location
Norfolk, Virginia
Founded
1930
Campus
Norfolk
Visitor information
Campus tours, maps, and parking guidance online
Old Dominion University (ODU) is a large, active university campus in Norfolk, not a stand-alone historic attraction. A visit offers a look at university life and the institution’s Hampton Roads roots: ODU opened in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, then became an independent college in 1962 and a university in 1969.[1]
Plan ahead if you want a guided visit: the university’s visitor guide links to campus maps, tours, directions, and parking information, while its virtual tour offers a self-paced look around campus.[2] ODU is a working campus, so access to individual buildings and facilities can depend on schedules and university policies.
Plan a trip to Old Dominion University
Why visit Old Dominion University?
ODU gives visitors a different perspective on Norfolk: a modern academic campus with a history tied to the growth of higher education in Hampton Roads. It began as a two-year extension of William & Mary and, over time, developed into an independent university with undergraduate and graduate programs.[3]
It is best approached as a campus stroll, a scheduled university visit, or a stop connected with a particular event—not as a museum where every building is open to the public. ODU’s official visitor resources are the place to check for tour availability, maps, and current access details.[4]
Start here
Begin with ODU’s visitor guide and campus map to choose a route and understand where you can go. If a guided tour is important to your visit, check the university’s current tour options and request process in advance; submitting a request does not itself guarantee confirmation.[5]
For a historical starting point, look at the university’s timeline: the Norfolk Division opened in 1930, became Old Dominion College in 1962, and adopted the name Old Dominion University in 1969.[6]
What to see and do
Use ODU’s official 360-degree campus tour to preview academic buildings, residence halls, and student-life spaces before visiting in person.
Webb Center is a major student-life hub. ODU Libraries’ history exhibit traces its origins to the 1960s and its role in the evolving campus.
Read about the university’s transition from a William & Mary division to Old Dominion College and, later, Old Dominion University.
Lectures, performances, and athletic events can offer a reason to visit. Check the university’s current event and venue information before making plans.
Consult ODU’s visit page for tour details and the current request process; tour dates and availability may vary.
History and significance
Old Dominion began on September 12, 1930, as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. Its first classes were held in the former Larchmont School on Hampton Boulevard. Virginia Polytechnic Institute added engineering instruction the following year, reflecting the school’s early role in providing local access to higher education.[7]
The institution grew from a two-year division into a four-year college, gained independence in 1962, and took the name Old Dominion University in 1969.[8] Lewis W. Webb Jr., who joined the faculty in 1932 and later led the Norfolk Division and Old Dominion College, was a central figure in that development. Webb University Center, named in recognition of his service, became a campus gathering place after opening in 1966.[9]
The university’s campus and academic role have continued to expand. ODU’s facts-and-figures page describes its main campus as 335 acres and records the 2024 integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into the university.[10]
Planning a visit
ODU is in Norfolk. Use the official visitor guide for directions, campus maps, and tour information, and confirm any planned building visit or event directly with the university. The campus is an active educational environment, and not every building or space should be assumed to be open to casual visitors.
If driving, review the university’s visitor-parking page before arrival. ODU requires visitors to use an eligible permit or paid parking option, and payment and parking rules vary by location; check the current instructions, rates, and restrictions before leaving your vehicle.[11] The university also publishes parking maps to help visitors locate lots and garages.[12]
Nearby attractions
Explore Norfolk
Find the city’s museums, waterfront, and other visitor destinations beyond campus.
Chrysler Museum of Art
A Norfolk art museum for visitors looking to add a cultural stop to a campus-area outing.
Elizabeth River waterfront
Explore Norfolk’s riverfront setting and nearby public destinations.
Nauticus
A maritime and science-focused attraction on Norfolk’s downtown waterfront.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ History & Archives, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Visit Campus, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ History & Archives, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Visitor's Guide, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Visit Campus, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ University Facts & Figures, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ 75 Great Moments in ODU History, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ History & Archives, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Webb Center 1966, ODU Libraries Online Exhibitions, Old Dominion University Libraries. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ University Facts & Figures, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Visitor Parking, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
- ↑ Parking Map, Old Dominion University, Old Dominion University. Retrieved 2026-10-24.