Proposed Gift to the Collection
We are always glad to hear about proposed gifts to the collection, which are subject to the approval of the Society’s curator, director, and Committee on the Collections. Please use the form below to begin the discussion.
Collections Policy
We are only able to accept objects made in Portsmouth and/or with a documented history in the area, and that our space for both display and storage is limited.At this time, the Historical Society has prioritized the acquisition of objects related to segments of the population whose history heretofore has been under-represented in the collection, including Native Americans, African Americans, the LGTBQ+ community, and other under-served communities.
Gifts to the collection are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by current law. Although the Historical Society can facilitate the process by suggesting appraisers (see below) and providing access to the object in question, the responsibility for obtaining such a monetary appraisal, and covering any fees associated with it, rests with the donor. Museums are not allowed to provide monetary appraisals of objects and works of art.
Appraisals
Due to IRS regulations, museums are unable to provide monetary appraisals of works of art and objects. If you need a dollar value for tax, insurance, or other purposes, we recommend that you consult a qualified dealer, auction house, or accredited appraiser for such purposes. The following information is provided to aid in your search for an expert in a field related to your object.For assistance in locating a specialist dealer, see: New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association: https://www.nhada.org/
For assistance with finding an appraiser, see: International Society of Appraisers 225 West Wacker Drive, Suite 650 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: 312-981-6778 Fax: 312-265-2908 Email: usa@usa-appraisers.org Website: isa-appraisers.org
Conservation
For assistance in finding a conservator, contact:
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works
1156 15th St. NW Suite 320
Washington D.C. 20005-1714
Tel: 202.452.9545
Email: info@aic-faic.org
Website: conservation-us.org
Disclaimer
The Portsmouth Historical Society does not recommend one appraiser, conservator, framer, dealer, auction house, or other art professional over another. The information provided here includes suggestions of organizations that may be consulted; however, the Portsmouth Historical Society will not be held responsible for any conservation or appraisals. This information is provided as a resource and is not an endorsement of any organization or individual.
Open Door Arts Gallery Rental Program
Portsmouth Historical Society’s Academy Building has two approximately five-week slots available in the beautiful balcony gallery for rental in the fall and early winter. To support our mission and values as it relates to the community, history, and cultural fabric of Portsmouth, we welcome artists whose work can enrich viewers’ lives and connect the past to the present and the future.
Applications are open September 15 through January 15 of the display year. Rentals will be chosen by a committee comprising of Portsmouth Historical Society staff, board members, and community stakeholders.
About Us
- The gallery available for rental can accommodate forty to sixty three- or two-dimensional works, depending on size.
- While the Society may be able to offer plinths and cases for 3-dimensional works, this is not guaranteed.
- All works to be hung on the wall must use the gallery rod system. No nails allowed. We recommend picture wire or D-hooks. Sawtooth picture hangers are not compatible with the gallery rod system.
- Maximum weight for wall-mounted works is fifty pounds.
About You
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Are groups of two or more Seacoast artists.
- Present themes and content that relate to Portsmouth, the Historical Society’s mission, and/or the themes represented in other exhibitions at the Society that display year.
- Are artists who are willing to host one open-to-the-public gallery tour during regular Society hours over the course of their rental.
Rentals Include
- Staffing for one after-hours reception that can be private or open to the public.
- Point of sale management for consigned artwork.
- Marketing on our website, newsletter, and social media accounts.
Limitations & Restrictions
Applicants will be chosen for display at the discretion of the Portsmouth Historical Society. The Society reserves the right to refuse to display works that we find to be harmful to our public image or inappropriate for our audiences.
Rental dates are not negotiable. The Historical Society has a robust fall schedule and cannot accommodate shorter rentals than the periods listed.
Dates
The 2025 rental dates are listed below. Generally, we recommend the first five or six days of the rental be dedicated to art installation, and two days at the end of the rental for deinstallation. This results in 4 weeks of display and about one week for setup and take-down.
Please note that Portsmouth Historical Society will be closed to the public on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and will close early on the day before both. For the December slot, displaying artists may deinstall the first week of January without additional rental fee.
2025 Available Rental dates
- October 20–November 22, 2025
- November 23–December 30, 2025
Rental and Consignment Pricing
We have two rental and consignment plans to choose from:
- A rental fee of $1,550, with a 60/40 consignment split (60% of sales go to the artist)
- A rental fee of $2050, with an 80/20 consignment split (80% of sales go to the artist)
Vintage frights rule the night at the Victorian Halloween Party
Enjoy an evening of vintage frights, make-your-own masquerade masks, artisanal pumpkin painting, tarot readings at the Portsmouth Historical Society’s Victorian Halloween Party.
Halloween in Portsmouth is full of spooky thrills and holiday fun. The Portsmouth Historical Society is adding their after-hours Victorian Halloween Party to the options for thrill seekers on Friday, October 25 from 7:30–10 p.m. Enjoy an evening of vintage frights, make-your-own masquerade masks, artisanal pumpkin painting, tarot readings by Kate, The Laundress, and more.
Attendees are invited to don their best Victorian garb, so be sure to dust off your trained skirts and top hats, but any Halloween costume, historic or otherwise, will do. This spooky soirée includes wine, hors d’oeuvres, and of course, plenty of Halloween candy.
The Victorian Era was full of eerie delights, with a widespread fascination with spiritualism, seances, and the macabre. This theme ties in with the current “The Matter of Memory” exhibition at the Portsmouth Historical Society, which features many 19th-century objects.
Portsmouth Historical Society’s Director of Community Engagement, Sarah Robbitts-Terry, drew inspiration from one of her favorite items in the collection, “A gorgeously intricate mourning hair wreath that was made with the actual hair of multiple women from the family.” In addition to enjoying the more haunting items of the collection, she hopes that, “guests have a lovely spooky evening and support the work of the Historical Society.”
Step back in time and get in touch with the ancestors for a fun-filled evening with the Portsmouth Historical Society. The event will be held at 10 Middle Street in Portsmouth. Tickets are $65 for members or $75 for non-members, and proceeds will support the Society’s work bringing Portsmouth history to life. Secure your spot today by visiting https://portsmouthhistory.org/event/halloween-party/.
Thank you to Historical Society volunteer Mike Dunbar for helping to draft this press release.
Preservation Work at the Portsmouth Historical Society
New woodwork and paint will help keep the facade of 30 MIddle Street look fresh for years to come.
With several historic properties dating as far back as 1758, the Portsmouth Historical Society has been hard at work this year maintaining their properties for the next hundred years. The most noticeable of these projects has been the restoration of the Morton-Benedict House, located at 30 Middle Street. Over the course of the year, rotten woodwork was replaced; brickwork was cleaned, removing decades of build-up from passing cars on Middle Street; and a new coat of paint was applied to both new and old woodwork to preserve intricate detailing.
“Walking up to the Morton Benedict House is a completely different experience thanks to the restoration work,” said Emma Stratton, Portsmouth Historical Society Executive Director. “Not only does the building look refreshed, but this work will ensure the long-term preservation of the building, sealing it from rain damage and maintaining the integrity of the brickwork.”
This facade restoration project has been made possible through a grant from The 1772 Foundation in cooperation with the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance.
Adjacent to the Morton-Benedict House lies a 1975 expansion that now houses the Seacoast African American Cultural Center. Thanks to a Moose Plate Grant, the curtain wall was extensively repaired to address ongoing leaks. Additional masonry repairs on the building continue this fall.
“We appreciate all the grants and organizations who value the preservation of Portsmouth’s history and material culture and who have helped us preserve our buildings to welcome more visitors to our city,” said Development Manager, Kim Simmons.
Further improvements were made this summer to the main entrance of the Historical Society building. Masonry repairs were done to the entry stairwell brickwork by a local masonry company, PNH Construction, who generously donated their time and materials.
All of these projects are complemented by the ongoing work by the City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works reconfiguring of a new accessibility ramp. This project, expected to be completed over the next several months, will update the accessibility ramp to meet current ADA standards and allow guests of all abilities to enjoy the Portsmouth Historical Society.