Our Mission

The Portsmouth Historical Society’s museums and programs connect the community to our past, present and future through collections, interpretation, education and preservation. 

Portsmouth Historical Society

Founded in 1917, the Portsmouth Historical Society opened the John Paul Jones House as a museum in 1920. For more than a century, the organization has gathered a diverse collection that fulfills its mission to illustrate and understand the history and material life, broadly conceived, of Portsmouth and the immediate Seacoast area from the seventeenth century to the present.

Today the Portsmouth Historical Society operates two properties, it’s main building located at 10 Middle Street, and the John Paul Jones House, located just across the street. In addition to enjoying the museum, visitors can join us on a walking tour, browse our gift shop, or take part in one of our many public programs.

Exterior of Portsmouth Historical Society located at 10 Middle Street. A large brick building with an open flag.

Board & Staff

Board of Directors, 2024

Nancy Pearson, President

Peter Michaud, Vice President

Ken Goldman, Secretary

Pam Yonkin,​ ​Treasure​r​

Laura Calhoun

Linda Ceruzzi

Charles Doleac

Ellen Fineberg

Martha Fuller Clark, Trustee Emeritus

Ann Hartman

Julia Phelps

Elissa Von Letkemann

Kerry Vautrot

Staff

Meredith Affleck, Exhibitions Manager Verity Boyer, Volunteer Engagement and Program Assistant Brenda Brewster, Front Desk Assistant Jay Daphnis, Front Desk Assistant Beth Gross-Santos, Welcome Center and Museum Shop Manager Sabina Ion, Marketing Manager Jessica Kliskey, John Paul Jones House Site Manager Roberta Lew, Front Desk Assistant Molly Liolios, Collections Manager and Registrar Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf, Facilities & Walking Tours Manager Sarah Robbitts-Terry, Director of Community Engagement Kim Simmons, Development Manager Emma Stratton, Executive Director Donna Theodossiou, Front Desk Assistant Gerald W. R. Ward, Curator and Editor
2023 Annual Report

 Land Acknowledgement

The Portsmouth Historical Society is committed to acknowledging and honoring all parts of the human history tied to this land. According to their oral traditions, Abenaki people have lived in the place now called New Hampshire for more than 12,000 years, before the beginning of Tribal memory. The land that comprises the City of Portsmouth has therefore long been the homeland of the Abenaki people, who today still maintain cultural and spiritual connections to this area. The Abenaki are part of a larger group of Indigenous peoples called Wabanaki, or ‘People of the Dawn,’ whose communities are connected by a common language family.

This Land Acknowledgement is based on the text prepared in consultation with the Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective and the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People, the Portsmouth Public Library, and the Strawbery Banke Museum. It was adopted by the Portsmouth Historical Society’s Board on April 26, 2021.

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