Contemporary Currents-Betty & Barney

Contemporary Currents-Betty & Barney

by | May 27, 2026 | Exhibitions

Contemporary Currents Betty & Barney

April 1 —November 14, 2026

Portsmouth Historical Society is once again joining forces with New Hampshire Art Association in 2026. This exhibition will be a contemporary response to the themes addressed in “Betty & Barney.“

Originally incorporated in 1940, New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary arts organization dedicated to presenting and supporting emerging regional art and artists in New England. In 1990, the NHAA opened its doors in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at 136 State Street. Thanks to philanthropists, lenders, and leadership who recognized the need for a community space to support the visual arts.

The call for art for “Contemporary Currents” will focus on art featuring close encounters, fear of the unknown, civil rights, or feeling “other.”

More than forty artists from across the Seacoast and the state of New Hampshire have work on display in the balcony gallery in an astonishing range of media, techniques, and topics. All the works are available for purchase to benefit the New Hampshire Art Association, Portsmouth Historical Society, and most of all, the artists!

View the Online Gallery

Judges’ Awards

As part of the jurying process, our three judges also chose three winners as well as three honorable mentions. The winners were awarded a monetary prize generously donated by the Puddle Dock Restaurant

Print - Betty and Barney's Great Adventure by Carolyn Vibbert
Carolyn Vibbert Betty and Barney's Great Adventure Digital print. 6×17 Framed work $250 Prints $125 Link to purchase 🌐 https://www.carolynvibbert.com/ IG logo carolynvibbertillustration  
This whimsical work depicts the journey of Betty & Barney through the mountains of New Hampshire on the night they said they met the aliens. Reminiscent stylistically of an early woodcut print, the bold black and white work highlights stops and other features along their travels, such as the diner in Colebrook and other landmarks. Graphically strong and done with a respectful sense of humor, this small work is an elegant and powerful evocation of the Hills’ “Great Adventure.”

 

This paper sculpture in the form of a woman’s coat is crafted from large-format prints of celestial images derived from NOIRLab (the US National Science Foundation National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory). It is an homage to the artist’s Yakut Russian heritage, as well as (in her words) “a meditation on identity, belonging, and human presence within a vast and often unknowable universe.” The printed imagery suggests (again in her words) “humanity’s enduring impulse to look beyond itself in search of meaning, origin, and connection,” questions embodied in the work’s title and related to the Betty & Barney narrative.

🌐 www.artworcester.org IG logo sheila.papetti
Who am I? And why am I here? by Sheila Papetti

Sheila Papetti

Who am I? And why am I here?

paper coat crafted from large-format prints of NOIRLab celestial images.

51x33x24.inches

$2,500

Link to purchase

 This small but powerful work shows us Betty & Barney in their ’57 Chevy Bel-Air driving through a mountainous, wooded landscape underneath a full moon and a distinctive constellation. This stellar configuration represents the star system described by Betty under hypnosis and later posited to be Zeta Reticuli. At center, a striking enigmatic passage shows a black vertical element that appears, perhaps, to be a tree trunk and roots, or, on the other hand, an alien claw reaching down to pluck the couple into the sky. As a whole, the work evokes the Hills’ experience in a poignant, beautiful manner.

Zeta Reticuli by Nancy Houlihan

Nancy Houlihan

Zeta Reticuli

Mixed media Acrylic monoprint with photo transfer

8×10 inches

$50

Link to purchase

IG logo nancyhoulihan_artist
The Watcher by Shawn Carlin

Shawn Carlin

The Watcher

Mixed material diorama

8 x 8 x 8 inches

$3,000

Link to purchase

This small sculptural diorama of mixed materials expresses a dark sense of foreboding that perhaps echoes the experience asserted by Betty and Barney Hill as their alien encounter.   The artist used special painting techniques to simulate the headlights and break lights on the meticulously crafted miniature car headed into a celestial abyss dominated by a giant eye in the sky.  In all, the work allows the viewer to use their own imagination as a portal into the unknown, a fitting homage to the Betty & Barney experience.

🌐 www.artworcester.org IG logo oakhill_studios FB logo Shawn Carlin Miniatures
This delightful beach scene catches the tension between the images in the sky and the beachgoers in scene, some of whom are casually enjoying their tabloids while oblivious to the impending threats behind them. Filled with nostalgic elements (see the Coke bottles in the cooler) and permeated with a somewhat kitschy and camp atmosphere, this work captures the ambivalent place of alien encounters in American life, accepted by some, rejected by others, but somehow always lurking in the background. In a broader sense, the work also captures the American penchant for going about our everyday lives while ignoring dangers literally hovering in the background.
Beach Read by Brier Haigh

Brier Haigh

Beach Read

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 36 inches

$900

 Link to purchase

The Interrupted Journey by Krysten Marche

Krysten Marche

The Interrupted Journey

Acrylic on canvas

24 x 36 x 1.5 inches

$2,000

Link to purchase

IG logo tennie_darling

An alien-like, greenish hue suffuses this haunting image of the interior of Betty & Barney’s 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. A close look at the rear-view mirror and side mirrors reveals reflections of stars, while several pairs of eyes, real or imagined, look out at the viewer in the form of dashboard knobs and dials, cup-holders (an anachronistic touch), and even two mysterious little white dots under the dash. The empty car interior suggests the temporary absence of Betty & Barney as their journey home was interrupted by their out-of-this world experience. Framed with thin strips of 1950s-style chrome, this painting stands on its own as an intriguing, enigmatic work of art while simultaneously encapsulating the themes of the “Betty & Barney” exhibition.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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A Slice of History: Portsmouth’s Famous Orange Cake Returns to the Spotlight

A Slice of History: Portsmouth’s Famous Orange Cake Returns to the Spotlight

by | May 11, 2026 | News

Orange Cake Bake of Best Appearance went to Southern Girl Bakery

Romonia Daniel of Southern Girl Bakery won the popular vote for Best Appearance at the Orange Cake Bake-Off, pictured here with event organizer Sarah Robbitts-Terry of the Portsmouth Historical Society.

Portsmouth’s Famous Orange Cake may not be a household name today, but the recipe stretches back to the days of our earliest settlers. This past Mother’s Day, Portsmouth Historical Society and Strawbery Banke brought it back into the spotlight at Springfest, hosting an Orange Cake Bake-Off that celebrated modern takes on this over 250-year-old recipe.

Where did the Orange Cake come from? The earliest published recipe for the Portsmouth Orange Cake comes from Ralph Green’s 1894 cookbook, Green’s Receipt Book. Green, a local Portsmouth confectioner, caterer, and drug store owner, already calls the recipe “famous” in his book, confirming that its origins stretch much further back. Portsmouth Historical Society Director of Education, Sarah Robbitts-Terry, faithfully recreated the historic recipe, noting, “Green’s historic recipe is similar to an angel food cake and uses simple ingredients. While keen bakers might notice the lack of butter, oil, or other leaveners, the icing and fresh orange slices more than make up for it. You end up with a perfect, bright, and refreshing summer cake!”

Saturday’s Bake-Off was not about a faithful reproduction, but rather a modern take on the Orange Cake, inspired by the hundred-year-plus recipe. Visitors were invited to vote for their favorite cake based on appearance, choosing from entries by Beach Pea Baking Co, Ceres Street Bakery, Popovers on the Square, and A Southern Girl Bakery. The panel of judges, made up of Linnea Grim, Strawbery Banke President and CEO, and Emma Stratton, Portsmouth Historical Society Executive Director, voted for Best in Show based on creativity, taste, and texture

Congratulations to our winners:

Best Appearance (public vote): A Southern Girl Bakery “Orange You Lovely”
Best in Show (Judges Award): Beach Pea Baking Co. “Colonial Trade Winds Cake”

Beach Pea Orange Cake

Best in Show Winner:
Colonial Trade Winds Cake
by Beach Pea Baking Co.

Southern Girl Bakery Orange Cake

Best Appearance:
Orange You Lovely
by A Southern Girl Bakery

An honorable mention went to Ceres Street Bakery for their “She Zesty,” with judges favoring the inclusion of a tangy orange curd in the layers of the cake. All the entries were delicious and showed a great deal of creativity, but the Beach Pea entry, an Orange Semolina Olive Oil Cake, edged out the competition. “While each cake had its merits, the Beach Pea entry had an exceptionally smooth texture and ultimately let the orange flavor shine through the best. The pieces of candied orange on top gave fresh pops of flavor that kept us going back in for more,” said Stratton. Given the positive community response, the organizations hope to make this bake-off a recurring annual event.

Craving a slice of Portsmouth Orange Cake? Head to Popovers on the Square to taste their classic take on the recipe, available by the slice daily. Or try your hand at the 1894 recipe included below:

Famous Orange Cake Recipe (adapted from Green’s Receipt Book for a modern kitchen)<br /> Cake:<br /> ½ pound sugar<br /> ½ pound flour<br /> 5 eggs, beaten<br /> Zest of 1 lemon<br /> 2 tbsp water<br /> Put sugar and beaten eggs in a double boiler and gently warm while whisking constantly. When the mixture is lukewarm, remove it from the heat, and continue whipping until the mixture is light and thick. Mix in lemon zest, and fold in flour until just combined. Pour evenly into two lined and well-greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.<br /> Icing:<br /> 2 oranges<br /> 2 tbsp water<br /> Juice of 1 lemon<br /> Icing sugar<br /> ¼ cup sugar<br /> Candied oranges slices<br /> Zest one orange and rub the zest into the ¼ cup sugar. Then, add this sugar, lemon juice, and water to a bowl and mix until sugar dissolves. Strain, and then mix this liquid with powdered sugar until you form a thick icing.<br /> Assembly:<br /> Slice two oranges very thinly and remove any pith or seeds. Spread a thin layer of icing on one layer of cooled cake, then top with orange slices. Add second cake layer, then ice the top and decorate with candied orange slices.

Download the recipe as a PDF!

Learn about the "Revolutionary Portsmouth" exhibition
See more joint 250th programs

ABOUT The PORTSMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Portsmouth Historical Society’s museums and programs connect the community to our past, present, and future through collections, interpretation, education, and preservation. It operates two facilities: the Welcome Center and Galleries and the John Paul Jones House. The Portsmouth Historical Society serves as a cultural hub for Portsmouth, providing visitors and the community with rotating exhibitions, dynamic programming, historic walking tours, and a museum shop of unique Portsmouth gifts and books. Located at 10 Middle Street, they are open daily from 10am-5pm, from April through December. For further information, please call 603-436-8433 or visit PortsmouthHistory.org.

Alien Abduction and Local History Collide in “Betty & Barney” Exhibition

Alien Abduction and Local History Collide in “Betty & Barney” Exhibition

by | Apr 16, 2026 | News

Portsmouth Historical Society visitors examine the map charting the Hills' journey south through New Hampshire, marking off stops and sightings along the route.

Portsmouth Historical Society visitors examine the map charting the Hills’ journey south through New Hampshire, marking off stops and sightings along the route.

On the night of September 19, 1961, a Portsmouth couple driving home through New Hampshire’s White Mountains reported something extraordinary: a lit-up craft in the sky, missing time, and an alien abduction. More than six decades later, the story of Betty and Barney Hill continues to captivate believers and skeptics alike.

Now on view at the Portsmouth Historical Society, “Betty & Barney” explores the fascinating and multifaceted lives of the Hills– inviting visitors to look beyond the headlines and into the real people at the center of the phenomenon.

Before they became synonymous with UFO lore, Betty and Barney Hill were a pioneering interracial couple in Portsmouth during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Hills were active members of the Unitarian South Church, the local chapter of the NAACP, and the Seacoast Council on Race and Religion (SCORR). Among the highlights are photographs and personal documents, including Barney Hill’s speeches, on loan from the Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire, offering visitors a rare and direct connection to the Hills’ lives and legacy.

The exhibition traces the arc of Betty and Barney Hill’s story from their unforgettable encounter in the White Mountains to the pop culture phenomenon it inspired, brought to life through alien memorabilia, film clips, books, and more. In one of the exhibition’s most immersive moments, visitors can pick up a rotary phone and listen to excerpts from the Hills’ famous hypnosis tapes, hearing Betty and Barney describe their experience in their own words. The exhibition closes with a tribute to the Seacoast community members, including David Watters and Valerie Cunningham, whose dedication ensured the Hills’ papers found a permanent home at UNH.

“We set out to connect a beloved local story to its national significance, and what we found along the way, about race, community, and Portsmouth in the 1960s, moved us deeply. This exhibition is one we are incredibly proud to share, ” said Portsmouth Historical Society Executive Director Emma Stratton.
To further explore the exhibition, the Portsmouth Historical Society will offer free Curator Tours on May 1, July 3, and September 4 at 12:00 PM and 5:30 PM. These engaging tours provide deeper insight into the Hills’ lives, their legacy, and the cultural impact of their story.

Additional lectures and public programs will be announced later in the year.
“Betty & Barney” is on view now until November 2 at the Portsmouth Historical Society. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery of extraterrestrial counters or the powerful human story at its core, this exhibition offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.

Learn more about the exhibition

ABOUT PORTSMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Portsmouth Historical Society’s museums and programs connect the community to our past, present, and future through collections, interpretation, education, and preservation. It operates two facilities: 10 Middle Street and the John Paul Jones House and Museum, a National Historic Landmark. The Portsmouth Historical Society serves as a cultural hub for Portsmouth, providing visitors and the community with rotating exhibitions, dynamic programming, historic walking tours, and a museum shop of unique Portsmouth gifts and local history books. Located at 10 Middle Street, the welcome center and galleries are open daily from 10am-5pm, from April through December. For further information, please call 603-436-8433 or visit PortsmouthHistory.org.

Revolutionary Portsmouth

by | Feb 17, 2026 | Exhibitions

Revolutionary Portsmouth Exhibition. At the John Paul Jones House. Portsmouth NH, May 22-October 30.

Revolutionary Portsmouth

opens May 22, 2026 

In the 1760s and 1770s, residents of the American colonies, including Portsmouth, were forced to make a serious choice between democracy or monarchy, between being a Patriot or a Loyalist. Despite the Patriot’s emphasis on asserting longstanding English liberties, what did the Revolution actually mean for local African Americans, Native Americans, or women? What was life on the homefront like? What did the town look like at this time, in terms of its architecture and material life?

Eulabee Dix (1878-1961) Miniature of Sara (Mrs. Woodbury) Langdon (after John Singleton Copley), 1936. Watercolor, mounted in brass candle shields. Gift of Mrs. William Gorham Rice (1703). Photo by Ralph Morang.

Cannonball, ca.1775, probably made in Great Britain. Iron.Gift of Gerard Amazeen (695). Photo by Ralph Morang.
William Hart (ca. 1734-1812), surveyor’s compass, Portsmouth, mid 1770s (2014.023). Gift of Sandra Rux.
H. M. S. Harlow (1882-1963), Assembly House 1750, 1936-45. Oil on academy board; 19 x 25 in. Portsmouth Historical Society (2016.9); Gift of Richard Candee and Peter Vocca.
Old Castle, pitcher (John Paul Jones), Staffordshire, England, 1900-1920. Porcelain; 4x5x2.5 in. Portsmouth Historical Society (2016.7); Gift of Richard Candee.
W.A. Lacey Co., flask (Continental Navy), Rincon Annex, Cal., ca. 1976. Bisque; 6×4.625×2.375 in. Portsmouth Historical Society (2021.12); The James C. and Judith R. Bradford Collection.

The exhibition will conclude with a brief look at how the Revolution was remembered and portrayed at time of the U.S. Centennial in 1876 and during the Bicentennial era of the 1970s. How have perspectives changed on our “heroes” such as John Paul Jones, who visited Portsmouth twice during the Revolution as he was becoming the founder of the U.S. Navy?

In particular, the show will highlight striking and dramatic parallels between the 1760s-70s and today, when the survival of our democracy and longstanding Constitutional rights are once again in the balance and at the forefront of public discussion.

Exhibition Themes

Liberty

Liberty in the 1770s was an important concept. New Hampshire was the first colony to have its own constitution, signed on January 5, 1776. It referenced “our natural and constitutional rights and privileges” that were being (in their minds) taken away. However, these “rights and privileges” did not apply to all. Over time, many Americans have worked hard to make “liberty and justice for all” a more meaningful and inclusive phrase, but the struggle is ongoing.

Loyalist or Patriot?

After the Patriot raid in 1774 at Fort William and Mary in New Castle, the Seacoast area was not directly involved as a battlefield in the Revolution, although it was threatened by English sea power. Nevertheless, Seacoast residents had to make their choice: remain loyal to King and Parliament or support Revolutionary efforts. Several Patriots and Loyalists will be profiled in the show.

The Look of Portsmouth in 1776

Locally owned objects from the period, some stylish and others not so much, illustrate the choices residents made depending on their socio-economic status. These will demonstrate Portsmouth’s role in worldwide trade and also suggest how wealthy merchants and politicians viewed themselves in the 1760s and 1770s.

Major Figures: From Wentworth to Washington

Key figures of the period, including materials associated with George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, members of the Langdon family, as well as George III and Loyalist Gov. John Wentworth and his family. John Paul Jones, generally acknowledged as the founder of the American Navy, visited Portsmouth twice in the Revolutionary era to oversee the building of warships. He may have rented rooms in the Georgian house built in 1758 now known as the John Paul Jones House that has been maintained as a museum by the Historical Society since 1920.

Remembering the Revolution

Some works in the exhibition will indicate how the Revolutionary period was remembered and commemorated in the 1870s at the time of the American Centennial and again in the 1970s during the Bicentennial era. These modern examples of popular culture often shape our collective memories as much as academic, scholarly works. The Historical Society has a large collection of popular culture items, mainly from the collection of the late Dr. James C. Bradford, referencing John Paul Jones and modern perceptions of this complex figure.

Upcoming Programs

From Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour

Walking Tour outside of the John Paul Jones House

Semi-Monthly at 2:30 pm
First and third Fridays of the month
This 90-minute walking tour traces the path of Portsmouth during the 1770s. 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.

Book Your Walking Tour

This exhibition was made possible in thanks to our Adopt an Artifact donors:

  • Kimberly Alexander & Dane Morrison
  • Anonymous
  • Colleen Bean & Ceal Anderson
  • Holly Burt
  • Julie Gowen Fehrnstrom
  • Ken Goldman & Barbara Sadick
  • Nancy Hammond
  • Ann Hartman
  • Mary Ellen & Walter Hoerman
  • Carolina Obarrio Langdon
  • Charlie & Kathy Liolios in honor of Molly Liolos
  • Ed & Fran Mallon
  • Ellen & Walter Patton
  • Nancy Pearson
  • Michael Reilly
  • Brenda Shanley
  • Lucinda Spaney
  • Matt Stolpe
  • Ursula Wright
This exhibition features several programs and events presented in partnership with Strabwery Banke. For more Revolution 250 content visit:

Stewarding Portsmouth’s Historic Legacy Through Strategic Preservation

Stewarding Portsmouth’s Historic Legacy Through Strategic Preservation

by | Dec 16, 2025 | News

Painters working outside the Morton Benedict House

NH’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) Awards 31 grants, totaling more than $3.5 million to 26 Communities and Non-Profit Organizations Across the State.

Governor Ayotte joined the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) on December 9 in announcing more than $3.5 million in matching grants to support 31 land conservation and historic preservation projects across the state, including a preservation planning grant to the Portsmouth Historical Society.

The Portsmouth Historical Society’s main gallery space and welcome center, located at 10 Middle Street, consists of two historic buildings (the Portsmouth Academy, 1809, and the Morton-Benedict House, c. 1811) that are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ongoing issues such as HVAC failures and water infiltration have underscored the need for a long-term preservation strategy.

The $13,930 grant award from LCHIP will support a comprehensive building assessment, enabling the Historical Society to prioritize preservation work and ensure the building continues to safeguard Portsmouth’s history while remaining accessible to the public. Grants all over the state will help communities restore historic landmarks, conserve working forests, and protect the natural and cultural resources that define New Hampshire’s character.

“We are deeply grateful for LCHIP’s support as we carry forward our responsibility as stewards of these City-owned historic buildings, ensuring they are thoughtfully preserved and remain accessible to the public for generations to come,” said Emma Stratton, Portsmouth Historical Society’s Executive Director.

The Preservation Company, in cooperation with Placework and Consulting Engineering Services, will undertake the building assessment in 2026. Once the assessment is complete, funding needs and an implementation timeline for the recommended preservation projects will be evaluated.

LCHIP grant recipients must match each dollar contributed by LCHIP with at least one added dollar and complete the funded projects according to the program’s rigorous standards. The $3.5 million awarded in 2025 will be matched by more than $13 million from other public and private sources, infusing $17 million into the state’s economy through direct project activity.

About the New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program 

The New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) is an independent state authority providing matching grants to New Hampshire’s municipalities and non-profits, helping to preserve the state’s most important natural, cultural, and historic resources and ensure their contribution to the economy, environment, and quality of life in New Hampshire. LCHIP grants are funded by a $25 fee assessed when deeds, mortgages, and plans are recorded at the state’s ten registries of deeds.    Since 2001, LCHIP has awarded 646 grants, totaling over $68 million. As of July 2025, the program’s investment has helped to conserve 247,000 acres of land and rehabilitate 192 historic structures across 206 NH communities. Learn more about how LCHIP is helping to preserve and protect New Hampshire’s heritage at LCHIP.org, by following LCHIP_NH on Instagram, or Facebook.

ABOUT PORTSMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Portsmouth Historical Society’s museums and programs connect the community to our past, present, and future through collections, interpretation, education, and preservation. It operates two facilities: 10 Middle Street and the John Paul Jones House and Museum, a National Historic Landmark. The Portsmouth Historical Society serves as a cultural hub for Portsmouth, providing visitors and the community with rotating exhibitions, dynamic programming, historic walking tours, and a museum shop of unique Portsmouth gifts and local history books. Located at 10 Middle Street, the welcome center and galleries are open daily from 10am-5pm, from April through December. For further information, please call 603-436-8433 or visit PortsmouthHistory.org.