Behind the scenes during the off-season

Get an idea of just some of the projects Portsmouth Historical Society staff have been working on while our doors are closed to the public.

Two museum professionals remove a rectangular plexiglass bonnet from a display case using suction cup grips.

Saying goodbye to the 2022 exhibitions

Almost all of the artwork from “Show + Tell” has gone back to the artists. This means object lists and floor plans for the 2023 exhibitions have also begun. Follow our social channels to keep up-to-date on our upcoming exhibitions.

Cleaning up at John Paul Jones

While cleaning out a closet across the street, our curatorial staff found the old linoleum or oil cloth flooring that we believe pre-dates the Historical Society’s founding in 1917.

Linoleum or oil cloth flooring from sometime before 1917 with a golden and red pattern of geometric flowers at the center of ornate squares.

Small dog with grey and white hair and perky ears sits in front of a computer with email pulled up.

Restocking the Gift Shop

As we join the city in celebrating Portsmouth’s 400th anniversary, we are stocking the gift shop items that commemorate 400 plus years of history and showcase the many talented artists who live in and around our great city. Be sure to say hi to Lluvia, our shop dog, when you come in.

Making it easier to find your way

With all of our new staff settling in, it’s time to update our office signage! Despite being spread out over several offices we hope that our new wayfinding signs help visitors know where the exhibits end and where to go for meetings.

Museum employee in a burgundy shirt faces awat from the camera as they hang up a blue and white office sign on a door.

From the collection

Small, four-legged, wooden table made out of maple with a warm, slightly orange finish.

While you shouldn’t scratch your name onto the table, every now and then historians get excited about a little graffiti.

Thanks to an inscription on this table we know a bit more about its owner Molly Miles (ca. 1718-1829) of Kittery Point, Maine. Molly was enslaved by members of the Pepperrell family and we do not know much about her life before she gained her freedom in 1783. We can imagine Molly sitting at this modest table, reading and writing, or eating and working.

“Molly’s table,” more broadly, reminds us of the daily lives of many African Americans, enslaved and free, whose very existence on the Seacoast has long been overlooked and undervalued.

Table (“Molly’s table”), ca. 1750 with later additions. Maple; two replaced legs, oak. Gift of Alan and Anne Cutter (2017.2).