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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Contemporary Currents

April 1 – November 14

A joint exhibition with NHAA featuring local artists depicting close encounters, fear of the unknown, civil rights, or feeling “other.”

View the artworks

Young Artist Contest

We invite our young visitors to explore their creativity with our third annual Young Artists Contest!
Accepting both writing and visual art.
For young artists ages 7-18.

Submit by May 31

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

Young Artist Contest

Open to young artists ages 7-18.
Both visual and written submissions are welcome.
Free to participate.

Submit by May 31

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)

May 1, 2026 - June 30, 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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Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour

June 5, 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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Art Round Town

June 5, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Welcome Center & Museum Shop Programs

We’ll be open until 8 p.m. every First Friday for Art ‘Round Town! Free admission all day long.

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Revolutionary Portsmouth Curator Tour. Friday, June 5 at 12 & 5:30 pm. Free. No registration required

Curator Tour “Revolutionary Portsmouth”

June 5, 2026 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm at John Paul Jones House by Portsmouth Historical Society | John Paul Jones Programs

Join our Curator for a tour through this exhibition examining the choices of everyday citizens in Portsmouth leading up to and during the American Revolution.

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NH Gives

June 9, 2026 - June 10, 2026 by Portsmouth Historical Society | Welcome Center & Museum Shop Programs

Join us for New Hampshire's largest day of giving as we raise funds to support our third-grade education program.

https://www.nhgives.org/organization/Portsmouth-Historical-Society

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Contact Us

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