Norfolk County Historical Society of Chesapeake, Virginia
Preserving and Sharing Chesapeake, VA History Since October 1963

With sorrow, we announce the passing of NCHSC Charter Member and Director Emeritus, Mrs. Eleanor Phillips Cross at the age of 102. As a life-long resident of Hampton Roads and, at one time, a reporter for the Chesapeake Post, Eleanor cultivated a love for local history. She shared that interest with her husband, Charles B. Cross, Jr. 

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While raising a family, Eleanor and Charles, along with a handful of dedicated Chesapeake citizens, founded the Norfolk County Historical Society of Chesapeake, VA on October 10, 1963. Both Eleanor and Charles served on the board of directors and held several offices. They continued their historical and genealogical research and donated much of it to the NCHSC Wallace Room Collection. 

 

The Crosses also co-wrote a number of noteworthy NCHSC publications including Chesapeake: A Pictorial History, The War Comes to Glencoe, Glencoe Diary, Child of Glencoe, The Voyages of Frederick Williams, From the Archives, and The County Court: 1637-1904. 

 

Through the Crosses’ enduring guidance and dedication, the NCHSC has developed, over the years, a significant local history and genealogy collection. 

 

Fifty-nine years later, our society’s mission remains the same as it was in 1963 -- to collect, preserve, and share the history of the City of Chesapeake and the surrounding area for its residents and for future generations. 

 

For the Full Obituary of Eleanor P. Cross, click here.  

 

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