Portsmouth Historical Society Celebrates “The Matter of Memory” Exhibition With Award Ceremony and Closing Reception on October 4

Portsmouth Historical Society Celebrates “The Matter of Memory” Exhibition With Award Ceremony and Closing Reception on October 4

by | Sep 24, 2024 | News

Diane St. Jean with her award-winning artwork “Wedding Day, 1924.” This linocut is based on a family photograph of the artist’s grandmother surrounded by enigmatic imagery that may reflect the woman’s past or future.

Diane St. Jean with her award-winning artwork “Wedding Day, 1924.” This linocut is based on a family photograph of the artist’s grandmother surrounded by enigmatic imagery that may reflect the woman’s past or future.

The Portsmouth Historical Society and New Hampshire Art Association invite the community to celebrate the closing of “The Matter of Memory” exhibition with a People’s Choice Award reception on Friday, October 4, from 5-8 pm. This free event, held during Art ‘Round Town, will feature opening remarks at 5:45 pm followed by the announcement of the People’s Choice Award winner.

The People’s Choice Award winner will be selected from the more than 50 pieces on display. These works from regional artists—ranging from paintings and photographs to sculpture—meditate on the concept of memory, and how we reconstruct the past. Museum visitors can still vote for their favorite work until October 3. The winner will receive a cash prize sponsored by Blick Art Materials.

Portsmouth Historical Society’s Executive Director Emma Stratton stated, “We were thrilled to partner with NH Art Association to showcase such incredible local talent in our exhibition. Each work tells its own unique story, and we hope visitors will be inspired to take home a piece of local art, supporting both our vibrant arts community and our Historical Society.”

All works in the exhibition are available for sale, supporting both local artists and the Portsmouth Historical Society. Notable pieces include Rhonda Besaw’s The Strength of the Nation Lies with the Women—we remember, a blazing red, Wabanaki-style beadwork collar, which won the Judges’ first place prize earlier this year and Diane St. Jean’s Wedding Day 1924, a linocut portrait of the artist’s grandmother as a young bride.. The exhibition runs through October 13.

This event is free of charge as part of the Portsmouth Historical Society’s Free First Friday program. Light refreshments will be served. The award ceremony and closing reception will be held in the second-floor gallery at the Portsmouth Historical Society’s 10 Middle Street location.

Add the Closing Reception to your calendar

Thank you to our volunteer, Mike Dunbar, for helping draft this press release.

Upstairs with the Furniture Masters: Celebrating Our 30th Year

Upstairs with the Furniture Masters: Celebrating Our 30th Year

by | Sep 5, 2024 | Exhibitions

Upstairs with the Furniture Masters exhibition on display November 29– December 30 at the Portsmouth Historical Society. Image of a handcrafted two-toned bench on the graphic

November 29–December 30, 2024

The NH Furniture Masters kick off their 30th Anniversary Exhibition Series with a holiday exhibition at the Portsmouth Historical Society, on display November 29–December 30. An Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, December 12 from 5:30–7:00 pm, free and open to the public.

Jeff Cooper, More from the Menagerie

“Upstairs with the Furniture Masters” features a variety of holiday gift items alongside an extraordinary collection of studio-made, handcrafted fine furniture made by members of the organization. Many pieces on display are available for purchase.

This exhibition is the first in a series of events culminating in a 30th anniversary showcase exhibition at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, which will be on display October 2025 through January 2026.

Tim Coleman, Jacks Table

Ted Blachly, Ash Desk, detail

About the NH Furniture Masters

The NH Furniture Masters is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the centuries old tradition of fine furniture making. The group, comprised of over 25 professional furniture makers, has been a beacon of excellence in the world of fine furniture craftsmanship for three decades. The NH Furniture Masters promote the growth and sales of fine furniture made by its members through hosting exhibitions and administer a variety of educational initiatives including Prison Outreach Programs at the NH State Prison for Men, Maine State Prison, and NH Correctional Facility for Women. To learn more and support the NH Furniture Masters, visit www.furnituremasters.org.

34th Annual Gingerbread House Contest

34th Annual Gingerbread House Contest

by | Sep 2, 2024 | Exhibitions

Relive Holiday Memories with our annual Gingerbread House Contest!

November 29–December 30

Open Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Events
Voting & Awards
Raffle Houses

Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve open 10 am–2 pm
Christmas Day Closed
December 26-30 open 10 am– 4 pm

Theme for 2024: Holiday Memories

Recreate your favorite holiday memory out of gingerbread! It could be an indoor scene with everyone snuggled around a cozy fire, a candy cane tree farm, a poured sugar ice skating rink – anything that takes you back to a treasured moment. Infamous memories are welcome as well – the aftermath of an epic silly string fight, the time the turkey caught fire, any story that brings a smile to your face when you tell it is fair game.

Programs and Events

Gingerbread House Workshop on Saturday, November 9 at 11 am and 1 pm. Option to buy a gingerbread kit included. Image shows a cute, small gingerbread house on a blue background
Gingerbread House Workshop
Saturday, November 9, 11am & 1pm
Gingerbread opening reception and Judge's Award presentation on Friday, December 6, 5:30-7:30 pm. Free and open to the public
Gingerbread Reception and Awards Party
Friday, December 6, 5:30–7:30 pm
Family Cookie Swap, Saturday December 14, 1–3pm
Family Favorite Cookie Swap
Saturday, December 14, 1–3 pm
Gingerbread Smash on Saturday, January 4.
Gingerbread Smash
Saturday, January 4, 1 pm
Extended Gingerbread Hours:

Saturday, December 7 open until 9 pm for Shop & Stroll
Friday, December 13 open until 8 pm
Friday, December 20 open until 8 pm

Tips and Tricks Tours: December 13 & 20, 5:30–6:30 pm
Member-Exclusive Viewing:

Wednesday, December 11, 9–10 am
Wednesday, December 18, 5–6 pm

Gingerbread viewing, refreshments, and gift wrapping

Member Events
Holiday Hours on a gold badge
Holiday Hours:

Christmas Eve open 10 am–2 pm
Christmas Day Closed
December 26-30 open 10 am– 4 pm

Community Judge’s Awards

It’s always such a difficult job to judge the Gingerbread Contest. Let’s give our judges a round of applause for their hard work!

Gingerbread Judges NHAA

Adult Category

The adult winner is Greenhouse at Snug Harbor Farm by Alex Lewis, Ali White, Doreen Lewis.

Snow covered cozy houses took home the top prizes for a competitive adult category. With so many funny memories and creative use of material and techniques the houses stunned judges and visitors alike!

Honorable mention goes to first-time entrant Ellen Forget’s Forget-Me-Not.

Multi-Generational Category

This category encourages loved ones of all ages to come together and get creative with gingerbread.

The Whaleback Lighthouse, a beloved Portsmouth landmark took home the honorable mention. Made by Hunter, Jason, and Susan Kindstedt.

A real-life camping trip was the inspiration behind the The Reisdorfs’ award-winning Bus Adventure.

Teen Category

The winner is Winter Wonderland by Elin Maffee and Zola Pezzetti.

We are so happy to have these fantastically creative teens entries!

The award for honorable mention goes to Karalynn Daughan’s Sledding Party at Home.

Youth Category

We are always impressed by our youngest bakers… and curious how much candy was consumed in the making of these entries.

Our youth winner drew inspiration from Strawbery Banke’s Puddle Dock Barnyard, made by Cole Dinulos.

The Students of the Children’s Garden’s Children’s Garden Express took home the honorable mention.

Business or Organization Category

Having picked up a few construction tips and trick at our Gingerbread Workshop the Portsmouth Believer’s Church, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, won an honorable mention.

Make-A-Wish New Hampshire’s Libby Giordano took home the prize for her striking blue and white Holiday Bed and Breakfast.

Staff Picks

Portsmouth Historical Society staff selected these two first time entries to celebrate their ambitious and delicate construction, their ambitious use of gingerbread techniques, and a creatively thematic approach to material selection.

Linda Roth’s Christmas at the Greenhouse takes home Best FirstiTime Entry for her ambitious and soaring construction and attention to deatil.

An honorable mention also goes to Rockport Shack + Schooner Olad by Kenna Sloane for some incredible sugar work and the very clever use of nori, a savory ingredient we haven’t seen used in the Gingerbread Contest before.

Best in Show

The Judges’ Award for best in show goes to the massive North Pole Gingerbread Factory by Libby Giordano.

A close runner-up was the incredibly detailed Holiday Memory: Twas the Night Before Christmas by Lindsay Carroll. Be sure to take a close look through each of the windows when you visit, you might just be surprised about all you may find.

Gingerbread House Raffle

Win a gingerbread creation to take home as a holiday centerpiece! Raffle tickets are $1, and winners will be notified on December 17, and they may pick up the house won on Sunday, December 22 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, or on Monday, December 23, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Red two-story Gingerbread House with many details

Help Support Preservation in Portsmouth with a Cookie Plaque

Help support Portsmouth Historical Society and the Portsmouth Advocates’ efforts to preserve our historic architecture. Just like the plaques in our Historic House Plaque Program, you can buy a cookie plaque for your gingerbread creation! Just $5 for members, and $10 for non-members.

If you live in an historic home, check out the Plaque Program. You can start the process of commissioning a plaque and research the history of your house!

Thank you to our sweet sponsors:

Kennebunk Savings Logo

Avery Insurance

Devine Millimet

Seacoast Lately

Bangor Savings Bank

The Fabulous Find donation boosts education offerings by the Portsmouth Historical Society

The Fabulous Find donation boosts education offerings by the Portsmouth Historical Society

by | Aug 30, 2024 | News

Two Portsmouth historical Scoiety Employees stand in front of a red phone booth hold an oversized check.

Emma Stratton (Executive Director) and Kim Simmons (Development Manager) are thrilled to have recieved a grant from The Fabulous Find to boost museum educational efforts.

The Portsmouth Historical Society has been awarded a grant from The Fabulous Find, a non-profit resale boutique located in Kittery, Maine, totaling $16,084.30. This donation will go towards supporting the Historical Society’s work in Portsmouth public elementary schools where museum educators provide all third graders with a local history curriculum focused on activities and hands-on experiences with historical artifacts.

The donation comes at a welcome time, as museum educators head back into the classroom with the start of the new school year. In 2023, educators made 68 classroom visits to the three Portsmouth public elementary schools and capped off the school year with a field trip to historic properties in downtown Portsmouth, including the society’s own John Paul Jones House. Educators are expected to deliver over 80 classroom visits in 2024.

“This donation provides critical support for our education programs and ensures these lessons remain free of charge in all Portsmouth third grade classrooms,” said Emma Stratton, Executive Director of Portsmouth Historical Society. “We have felt such a strong outpouring of support from our museum community through their choices to shop and donate to The Fabulous Find during August. We are most grateful to our community and The Fabulous Find.”

The Fabulous Find is a 501(c)3 non-profit resale boutique that benefits the local community. Purchases or donations of gently used items benefits local organizations each month. They are located in Kittery, Maine.

2024 Gingerbread Registration

2024 Gingerbread Registration

by | Aug 29, 2024 | Uncategorized

2024 Gingerbread House Contest Rules

Click here to download a pdf copy of the Rules
  • Maximum base size is 15” by 15”. You may NOT attach multiple bases together.
  • Entries larger than 15” by 15” will not be accepted.
  • Edible materials ONLY! This includes the “glue” that holds pieces together and support on the inside! Exception: you can include plug-in string lights or fairy lights, but no batteries!
  • Sturdy base required! Your house will be picked up and moved multiple times during gallery set-up.
  • By entering the contest, entrants authorize Portsmouth Historical Society to use their images and images of completed work in promotional materials.

Important Dates

Thursday, November 21 Registration deadline

Saturday, November 23, 11am – 5pm

Sunday, November 24, 11am – 5pm

 House Drop-off: All houses must be dropped off at 10 Middle Street during these days and times.
Friday, November 29 Exhibition opens to the public! We will be open 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and until 7:00 pm every Friday in December.
Friday, December 6, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Opening Reception, presentation of Community Judges’ award ribbons
Monday, December 30 Exhibition Last Day

Entry Categories

Participants are required to submit entries under one of these categories. Note: If youth and teens are working together without an adult, please choose the Teen category.

  • Business/Non-Profit/Organization
  • Adult(s) (Age 18 and older)
  • Multi-Generational (Adults and youths or teens working together)
  • Teen or Teen Group (Age 13–17, working without an adult)
  • Youth or Youth Group (Age 12 and under working without an adult)

Notes

  • Entrants will be asked to give their entry a title on drop-off.
  • Gingerbread kits are allowed, provided they use only edible materials.
  • Plug-in string lights allowed. Battery-operated lights strongly discouraged as the batteries die quickly.
  • Your entry doesn’t have to be a “house.” We’ve seen boats, cars, books, barns, trees, etc. Anything goes as long as it’s made of edible materials!