Imagine That! Celebration & Reception

Imagine That! Celebration & Reception

 Thursday, September 22

6:00–8:00 pm

on the lawn of the

John Paul Jones House
43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH

Join us for a celebration of “Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books”

The galleries are open to the public 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at our Welcome Center at 10 Middle Street. We will host extended hours until 6:00 pm for reception guests. Please visit the exhibition prior to attending the reception. The Welcome Center is located across the street from the John Paul Jones House.

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Food, drink, and entertainment provided by:

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Parking is available at the Bridge Street parking lot or in the Foundry Place Garage.

Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books is made possible by these generous sponsors:

“Visual Conversations,” Thursday, August 18 at 6:00 pm

“Visual Conversations,” Thursday, August 18 at 6:00 pm

Join Cathryn Mercier, PhD, in-person and via Zoom, for a discussion on how the role of picture books and illustration has changed over the past one hundred years.

Thursday, August 18, 6:00 pm

FREE for members, $15 for non-members

As an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College (BA ’81) Cathie Mercier was drawn to the scientific emphasis and empiricism of experimental psychology. A psychology major, she did not take her first course in children’s literature until her senior year. “Like Alice, I fell down the rabbit hole and I’ve yet to come up,” said Mercier.

 

Special Event with Ten Piscataqua Writers

Wednesday, August 24
5:30 pm–7:30 pm

Merrill Black (nonfiction)
Todd Hearon (poetry)
Clark Knowles (fiction)
Christina Keim (nonfiction)

will read from and sign copies of the newly released anthology celebrating the talents of our region. Copies available in the Museum Shop!

Get Outside! Do Something Different!

It’s finally cooled down a bit! Now is definitely the right time to go on one of our walking tours!

Tours go out every day, with specialty tours a few times a month. Get your tickets today!

Nothing fit your schedule? Book a private tour! Just reach out to tour manager Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf or give us a call, 603-436-8433

 

Portsmouth 400th Book Available for Pre-Order

In advance of next year’s celebrations, this commemorative book will give readers a sense of “who we are” and “where we are” as Portsmouth continues its journey from our past before 1623 to our future beyond 2023. Each object is depicted with a full-page photograph accompanied by an essay by a local author – 80 different writers who are the historians, experts, participants, and observers of Portsmouth history best able to explain how each object’s story offers a path into our bigger 400+ year history.

History. Arts. Culture.

August 5: First Free Friday

August 5: First Free Friday

FREE ADMISSION all day, this Friday, August 5! Come see Imagine That!

 

Open Late for Art ‘Round Town

Bill Paarlberg, 5-8pm

Get your Kongress Street t-shirt signed by the artist!

Twilight Tour All Around Town!

A whole bunch of historic houses are open until 8pm. Your ticket gets you access to all of them for the rest of the season! $20 in advance, $25 day-of!

 

History. Arts. Culture.

Art ‘Round Town next FridayFeaturing: Bill Paarlberg

Art ‘Round Town next Friday
Featuring: Bill Paarlberg

Friday, August 5

5:00–8:00 pm

Plus, we’re FREE for everyone, all day!

Join us August 5 for Art ‘Round Town, featuring Portsmouth artist Bill Paarlberg! We’ve got lots of t-shirts featuring Bill’s drawing shown above; stop by and get one signed by the artist!

Chris Van Allsburg at Music Hall Lounge

POSTPONED: New Date, Sunday, 8/28

Due to COVID-related difficulties, the Music Hall has had to postpone the upcoming event featuring Chris Van Allsburg. The new date is Sunday, August 28, at 2pm at the Music Hall Lounge.

The GOOD NEWS for all of you ticketholders is that this gives you more time to stop by the Imagine That! exhibition and see his original artwork in person before the show! We’ve got artwork from The Polar Express, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick.

Portsmouth Historic Sites Associates’

Twilight Tour August 5

The $20 ticket not only grants access to all the participating historic houses for the Twilight Tour, but also for the remainder of this season! It’s an absolute steal! 

Tickets are $20 for adults (advance purchase only), $10 for children, and $25 on the day of the tour.

Participating sites include:

History. Arts. Culture.

The Annual Twilight Tour Returns!

The Annual Twilight Tour Returns!

For the first time since 2019, the Portsmouth Historic Sites Association will hold its popular Twilight Tour on Friday, August 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come see what’s new at each organization—including new exhibitions, new displays, new acquisitions, and new research. Our members have been busy behind the scenes and have much to share after the pandemic-induced hiatus!

Tickets—which include admission and discounts at member sites for the remainder of the season—are $20 in advance ($25 day of) for adults and $10 for children. For tickets, go to www.portsmouthhistoric.org and follow the provided link, or call Stephanie Hewson at (603) 430-7968, or Andy Goodell at (603) 433-9505.

John Paul Jones House Hours During the Heatwave

This is a friendly reminder that the John Paul Jones House does not have air conditioning. For the safety of our staff, volunteers, and guests, we are going to be using our best judgement when it comes to being open to the public.

For at least the remainder of the current heatwave, JPJ will be open only 11am to 2pm, and we may have to close all together. Please give us a ring before making the trip to be sure we’re open! 603-436-8433

“Visual Conversations” August 18

Thursday, August 18, at 6:30pm

Join us in person or by Zoom for an evening talk about the history and impact of children’s literature illustration in New England.

Tickets are FREE for members, $15 for non-members

Portsmouth Advocates Accepting Nominations for the 2022 Awards

Do you know of a homeowner, business, or institution that’s done a particularly good job of preserving the historical integrity of their building? The Portsmouth Advocates are starting the process of determining the winners of their 2022 awards.

If you have projects or people to nominate, please drop them a line at advocates@portsmouthhistory.org

The awards to be bestowed are:

  • Restoring the Integrity of a Resource: A substantial project to bring a historic property back to the way it appeared at a specific period in time by using documentation to guide the process; or a significant research effort (i.e. archaeology) that enhances the understanding of that historic property.
  • Sensitive Maintenance of a Historic Property: This award honors the unsung heroes who invest time, effort, and resources to maintain their historic buildings, structures, or landscapes.
  • Rehabilitation of a Historic Property: Reusing a historic building, structure, or landscape in a way that maintains its historic character while adaptively reusing the property to suit a new use.
  • Compatible New Construction: Examples of a new building, structure, or landscape that respects its historic context while being discernible and compatible with its surroundings.
  • Arthur J. Gerrier Award: Since 1991 Portsmouth Advocates has presented the Arthur J. Gerrier Memorial Award to an individual who is committed to serving our historic community. Gerrier was a member of the Portsmouth Advocates Board and an outstanding architectural historian.
  • John Grossman Memorial Award. The John Grossman Award recognizes an individual who makes a reality of an organization’s mission by bridging the theoretical and the practical.” Grossman, a tireless supporter of Portsmouth non-profits, chaired Portsmouth Advocates for many years.

Whimsical, Unique Puppets at the Shop

 

If you’re looking for a fun gift for new parents and young kids, check out these eco-friendly hand puppets that are hand made with reclaimed wool from vintage sweaters. Each puppet is completely unique!

 

History. Arts. Culture.