Betty & Barney

April 1 – November 2

Alien Abductees. Civil Rights Champions. Pop-Culture Phenomena.

Democracy or monarchy? Patriot or a Loyalist? Learn how Portsmouth citizens made and lived with these difficult choices.

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Support Portsmouth Historical Society

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Art in Bloom

Garden Party & Exhibition

Friday, August 7 through Sunday, August 9

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Support Portsmouth Historical Society

Donate Today

Betty & Barney

Alien Abductees. Civil Rights Champions. Pop-Culture Phenomena.

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Open May 21–October 31

Art in Bloom

Garden Party & Exhibition

Thursday, August 7 through Sunday, August 10

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John Paul Jones House

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Historical Walking Tours

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Visit Us

Upcoming Events

Image of downtown Portsmouth at the intersection of Market Square. The North Church steeple rises uup into the blue sky at left, a person is walking across the road and three story brick buildings line the right side of the street. Text reads "Daily Walking Tours"

Historic Portsmouth Walking Tours (May-Oct)

July 1, 2026 - August 31, 2026 at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

Learn why Portsmouth is the hub of the New Hampshire Seacoast on a 90-minute walking tour covering over 400 years of history.

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July Family Day John Paul Jones House Birthday Party on July 11. Free games, tours, and more from 10:30-12.

Family Day: House Birthday Party

July 11, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at John Paul Jones House by Portsmouth Historical Society | John Paul Jones Programs

Help us celebrate the 268th birthday of this historic property with lawn games, crafts, and family-friendly tours.

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Extended Historic Portsmouth Walking Tour. Two hours, covering all the highlights of the regular tour and more. Taking place on: Tour Dates: May 20 & 27 June 17 & 24 July 15 & 22 August 19 & 26 September 16 & 23 October 21 & 28

Historic Portsmouth Extended Walking Tour

July 15, 2026 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

Stretch your legs on our longest walking tour! This tour includes all the highlights of the Historic Portsmouth tour and gets visitors down to Prescott Park.

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Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour

July 17, 2026 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

From a hub of British loyalty a series of events in the 1770s fanned the flames of independence and turned Portsmouth into a hotbed of Patriotism.

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behind-the-scenes tour of the John Paul Jones House on Friday July 17 & September 25 at 5pm. $20 for members, $25 non-members

Behind-The-Scenes John Paul Jones House Tour

July 17, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm at John Paul Jones House by Portsmouth Historical Society | John Paul Jones Programs

Open closed doors and explore hidden corners of the John Paul Jones House, one of Portsmouth’s most historic landmarks, on this behind-the-scenes tour!

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Contact Us

Five children wave down at the photographer from the upstairs gallery over a white wooden balustrade.