Betty & Barney

April 1 – November 2

Alien Abductees. Civil Rights Champions. Pop-Culture Phenomena.

Democracy or monarchy? Patriot or a Loyalist? Learn how Portsmouth citizens made and lived with these difficult choices.

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Support Portsmouth Historical Society

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Contemporary Currents

April 1 – November 14

A joint exhibition with NHAA featuring local artists depicting close encounters, fear of the unknown, civil rights, or feeling “other.”

View the artworks

Young Artist Contest

We invite our young visitors to explore their creativity with our third annual Young Artists Contest!
Accepting both writing and visual art.
For young artists ages 7-18.

Submit by May 31

Support Portsmouth Historical Society

Donate Today

Betty & Barney

Alien Abductees. Civil Rights Champions. Pop-Culture Phenomena.

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Open May 21–October 31

Young Artist Contest

Open to young artists ages 7-18.
Both visual and written submissions are welcome.
Free to participate.

Submit by May 31

John Paul Jones House

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Historical Walking Tours

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Visit Us

Upcoming Events

Image of downtown Portsmouth at the intersection of Market Square. The North Church steeple rises uup into the blue sky at left, a person is walking across the road and three story brick buildings line the right side of the street. Text reads "Daily Walking Tours"

Historic Portsmouth Walking Tours (May-Oct)

May 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026 at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

Learn why Portsmouth is the hub of the New Hampshire Seacoast on a 90-minute walking tour covering over 400 years of history.

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US@250: Big Watch at Strawbery Banke

June 14, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm at Strawbery Banke by Portsmouth Historical Society | Education Programs

Celebrate Flag Day with a meaningful afternoon of community, history, and civic engagement. Watch a short excerpt from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Ken Burns.

https://www.strawberybanke.org/events-collection/flag-day-celebration-us250-big-watch

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Extended Historic Portsmouth Walking Tour. Two hours, covering all the highlights of the regular tour and more. Taking place on: Tour Dates: May 20 & 27 June 17 & 24 July 15 & 22 August 19 & 26 September 16 & 23 October 21 & 28

Historic Portsmouth Extended Walking Tour

June 17, 2026 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

Stretch your legs on our longest walking tour! This tour includes all the highlights of the Historic Portsmouth tour and gets visitors down to Prescott Park.

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Image of a two stroy brick building with large windows on the left side. A tree stands to one side and a large blue open flag waves in front of the building.

Museum Closed

June 19, 2026 at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Welcome Center & Museum Shop Programs

The Portsmouth Historical Society building and the John Paul Jone House will be closed on Juneteenth.

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Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour

June 19, 2026 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

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.

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Contact Us

Five children wave down at the photographer from the upstairs gallery over a white wooden balustrade.