Join us at our Spring Auction, May 7

Support hands-on history and our 3rd grade education program

April 1 – November 2

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

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

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

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Spring Auction

Join us on May 7 for a night of hands-on history.
Light refreshments & beverages provided.
Live and silent auction items.

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Support Portsmouth Historical Society

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Betty & Barney

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

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Spring Auction for Hands on History

Thursday, May 7, 2026
5:30–7:30 pm

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John Paul Jones House

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Historical Walking Tours

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Upcoming Events

2026 Young Artists Contest

April 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026 at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Exhibitions Programs

We invite our young visitors to explore their creativity! Visit our exhibitions, find a piece that inspires you, and create your own piece of writing or visual art.

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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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Spring Auction

May 7, 2026 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Education Programs, Welcome Center & Museum Shop Programs

A night to support our education & outreach programs, featuring hands-on history, an auction, and light refreshments in our beautiful museum setting.

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Portsmouth on Foor, a free family day. May 9, 11 am, a 45 minute family friendly walking tour with scavenger hunt!

Family Day: Portsmouth on Foot

May 9, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Education Programs, Walking Tours

In honor of Preservation Month, we are hosting a free family-friendly tour of downtown Portsmouth for junior historians and preservationists!

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Portsmouth Orange Cake Bake-Off. Sunday, May 10, 10am–2pm. A Part of Strawbery Banke Springfest

Portsmouth Orange Cake Bake-Off @ Strawbery Banke’s Springfest

May 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Strawbery Banke by Portsmouth Historical Society | Education Programs

Portsmouth Orange Cake's origins may stretch as far back as the earliest settlers, but who is making the best modern-day version?

https://www.strawberybanke.org/springfest

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