The John Paul Jones House

Open Seasonally,

Memorial Day Weekend–Indigenous Peoples Day

Thursday–Monday

11:00 am – 5:00 pm

last admission 4:30 pm

Also open on Veterans Day with free admission for all
November 11th, 11:00 am–3:00 pm

43 Middle Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 436-8420

 

Plan Your Visit

Built in 1758, the John Paul Jones Historic House Museum is a registered national historic landmark.

The house known today as the John Paul Jones house was built in 1758 for Gregory Purcell, a sea captain and merchant. When built, the house was considered to be at the edge of downtown and was amongst only a handful of stately three story homes in the city. The house changed hands several times during the nineteenth century. Owners include, Woodbury Langdon, Henry and Alexander Ladd, who rented the home to Senator John F. Parrott, and Samuel Lord. The Portsmouth Historical Society has operated the house as a museum since 1920. The house has been known as the John Paul Jones House for several generations. Jones (1747-92), the celebrated naval hero of the American Revolution, spent time in Portsmouth in 1777 and again in 1781-82. He is believed to have rented a room in this house during 1777, when the widow of Gregory Purcell was operating a boarding house here.

Current Exhibitions

Finishing Touches Exhibition, accessories throughout the ages

Finishing Touches

Accessories have been a part of fashion since the beginning of civilization. From jewelry to handkerchiefs, hats to shoes, these items have provided the “finishing touches” to a person’s ensemble. This display highlights items from the collection that would add personality and individuality to the wearer’s outfit as well as demonstrate gender and class. Functional and fashionable, these pieces highlight accessories through the decades.

An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905

The Exhibition features images of the war and the peace process, artifacts from the time and a day-by-day timeline showing the formal diplomacy, back-channel diplomacy and citizen diplomacy that led to the Treaty signing on September 5, 1905. Learn more about the treaty PortsmouthPeaceTreaty.org

Postcard from the Portsmouth Peace Treaty with major figures involved depicted.
Diplomats in Portsmouth A Companion Exhibit to An Uncommon Commitment to Peace Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905

Diplomats in Portsmouth, 1713-1905

This exhibition uses rare historical objects to trace the record of diplomats with Portsmouth connections and connect the story of the 1713 Wabanaki and English Treaty of Portsmouth and the diplomats in or from Portsmouth who shaped America’s relationship with Japan through the 1905 Portsmouth Peace Treaty and beyond.

Membership

Join, renew, or give as a gift!

Membership provides an opportunity for a deeper connection with Portsmouth’s impressive legacy of history, arts, and culture.

  • Free Admission to the Academy Galleries and the John Paul Jones House Museum & Garden
  • Discounted Admission to signature events, programs and lectures
  • Special Invitations to members-only events including exhibition opening galas
  • Member Discounts in our fantastic museum shop
  • Free or Discounted Tickets for our popular historic Portsmouth walking tours

Sustaining members making a monthly gift will receive the additional benefit of free or discounted admission to more than 1,100 museums in North America through the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM)

Join/Renew

Make a Gift to Our Annual Fund

The Portsmouth Historical Society is able to work towards its goals thanks to the support of generous individual donors. We welcome all levels of donation; one-time gifts, monthly donations, the establishment of a matching gifts program, gifts of stock, and bequests.

We couldn’t do it without you!

For more information, call (603) 570-2492.

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