Learn more about the program and sign up to start your plaque research.
Formed in 1980, Portsmouth Advocates was established to “promote the maintenance of the historical and architectural integrity of the structures and cityscape of the City of Portsmouth within and outside of the historic districts of the City.
Check out these resources:
The 2022 Portsmouth Advocates Award winners. From left to right: Roslyn Weems, Chair of Portsmouth Advocates; Nancy Carmer; Lawrence Yerdon; Bruce Blanchard; Christine Dwyer and Mike Huxtable; David Ryng; and Gerry Ward (accepting on behalf of the NH Bureau of Historic Sites for the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion).
Restoring the Integrity of a Resource: State of New Hampshire Bureau of Historic Sites for restoration of the Billiard Room at the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion
Continued and Sensitive Maintenance of a Historic Property: Christine Dwyer and Michael Huxtable (homeowners) and David Ryng (contractor)
Arthur J. Gerrier Memorial Award, which is presented to an individual who is committed to serving our historic community: Bruce Blanchard (Preservation Manager- Piscataqua Region at Historic New England)
John Grossman Memorial Award, which recognizes an individual who makes a reality of an organization’s mission by bridging the theoretical and the practical: Lawrence Yerdon (President and CEO of Strawbery Banke Museum)
The inaugural Nancy Carmer Preservation Planning Award. The award celebrates individuals or groups who promote innovative, vibrant, and economically sustainable uses for historic properties and is presented to its namesake: Nancy Carmer (Former Economic Development Program Manager for the City of Portsmouth)
Since 1989 Portsmouth Advocates has honored individuals and projects that enhance the city’s unique historic character and make Portsmouth a better place to live and work.
Where: Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street
When: Wednesday November 9, 2022 5-7pm
Awards presentation begins at 5:30 pm
Light refreshments will be served.
We’ll have no fewer than SIX photographers in house, whose work is featured in the “New Hampshire Now” exhibition:
Dan Gingras
David Murray
Effie Malley
Ken Goldman
Peter E. Randall
Michael Sterling
Plus, our five local painters for “Abstracting the Seacoast”
A brief note about health and safety:
For large events such as this, all guests are requested to wear masks, and we are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test from the past 48 hours upon entry.
We will be serving food and drink in a socially distant manner.
Portsmouth Advocates, a key program of the Portsmouth Historical Society, is joining in on awards season! Since 1989, Portsmouth Advocates has honored individuals and projects that enhance the city’s unique historic character and make Portsmouth a better place to live and work. This year we are delighted to have responsibly resumed our awards ceremony in-person at GoodWork’s Carey Cottage at Creek Farm, a 2020 Advocates award recipient.
Portsmouth Advocates is pleased to announce the following award winners: For “Restoring the Integrity of a Resource,” Stephen Foster and the Tobias Lear House, 49 Hunking Street. For the “Continued and Sensitive Maintenance of a Historic Property,” South Church at 292 State Street, Harry Furman and Kathleen Straube for the Ebenezer Hanes House at 557 State Street, Keith and Christina Wilkinson at 62 Winter Street. The recipient of the Arthur J. Gerrier Memorial Award, given to an individual of long demonstrated commitment to preserving and enhancing the unique historical character of this city, is Vincent Lombardi. The John Grossman Memorial Award, which recognizes an individual who makes a reality of an organization’s mission by bridging the theoretical and practical, is Barbara McLean Ward.
We’ll be highlighting each of the winners in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
October is the last month to get a walking tour before it get’s too cold! Book your tickets today. Portsmouth is beautiful in the fall!
If you can’t make one of our regularly scheduled tours, book a private tour! Just contact walking tour manager Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf!
FREE shipping on books through December 31!
Use code books at checkout. Store Manager Extraordinaire Beth is adding new titles every day. Check out the books available in our online shop now! *
25% off all merchandise in-store on December 23rd!
The store will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, December 23, and it’s your last chance to get unique NH gifts for your friends and family for Christmas!
*Free shipping up to a value of $10 on the media mail rate, which should cover most orders. We use USPS, so we can’t guarantee delivery by December 25. It’s 2020, so why would Christmas go to plan? But we’ll muddle through!
Portsmouth Advocates have announced the winners of the 2020 Advocates Awards! Every year, the Advocates bestow awards of excellence to owners, designers, and contractors whose exceptional work enhances the city’s unique historic character. The winners demonstrate a commitment to historic preservation and make Portsmouth a better place to live and work.
See all the winners at www.PortsmouthHistory.org/advocates-awards/
This year has tried us all, and we couldn’t have made it through without the love and support of YOU and this wonderful community.
Your visits, likes and follows, volunteered time, and precious dollars are absolutely crucial for us to continue to fulfill our mission to bring history past and present, art of all kinds, and cultural enrichment to the Seacoast and beyond. Please support us today with a donation to our annual fund, a membership for yourself or as a gift to a friend or family member, or a purchase at our Museum Shop.
Many, many thanks!
The photography exhibition at the Seacoast African American Cultural Center is still viewable through December 23! This show is phenomenal and well worth admission.
Pete Souza was the chief official White House photographer during the Obama administration. This exclusive exhibition of fifty stunning photographs is not to be missed!
Book your viewing today before it’s too late!
History. Arts. Culture.
