Adopt An Artifact

Adopt An Artifact

Two individuals looking at the detail on a pair of 19th century funerary gloves.
The “Adopt an Artifact” program was created to help raise funds to meet the critical needs of our historical collection. Portsmouth Historical Society has approximately 3,000 objects that it cares for, and many of our collection items need some repair in order to last 200, 300 years—and more, as we do our best to preserve them for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

That need for repair is exactly what led to establishing the “Adopt an Artifact” program. We invite you to be a part of preserving history by sponsoring the restoration and care of an artifact (or artifacts). All adoptions as a part of this program will go towards restoration and our mission of preserving the history of Portsmouth.

Thank you for Adopting an Artifact

Artifact adoptions are closed for 2023. They will reopen in July of 2024. Please look forward to hearing about our conservation efforts when we kick off the round of adoptions next summer. If you would like to donate to help our collections at any time of year, you can do so here or email us at development@portsmouthhistory.org.

A special thank you to the following individuals who have adopted an item from our collection:

  • Diane Fagan Affleck
  • Robin Albert
  • Ceal Anderson
  • in honor of Patricia Brunette
  • Sharon Churchill
  • Margaret L Clarke
  • in honor of Anna Herrera
  • Ellen Fineberg & Vincent Lombardi
  • Tom Kaufhold
  • in honor of Molly Liolios
  • Karen McDonnell
  • Ellen & Walt Patton
  • Gordon Stone
  • Tammi Truax
  • Elizabeth Valway

Artifacts from the 2023 Program

$50 Sponsorship Level

Baseball

Commode

Doll

Frank Jones Ale Poster

Funeral Gloves

Pitcher

Portrait of Sarah H March

Ruth Blay Quilt

Ribbon Banner

Slippers

Surveyor's Compass

Top Hat

$150 Sponsorship Level

Bodice

Child's Dress

Hair Wreath

John Paul Jones Bust

Pease Diorama

Portrait of Carrie Parker Gerrish

Portrait of Joseph Haven

Portrait of an Unknown Man

Toy Cradle

Tray

Worktable

$250 Sponsorship Level

Card Table

Chest of Drawers

Dressing Gown

Fire Bucket

Portrait of Samuel M Dockum

$500 Sponsorship Level

Looking Glass

Peace Treaty Armchair

Portrait of Alfred Beck

Portrait of George Boardman

Sculpture

Golden Vault outline to the left set over a transparent image of the gallery space with wooden balustrade.

How does the program work?

Artifact adoption, or “sponsorship”, lasts one year from the date of adoption. Please note that the adoption of an artifact does not mean you are purchasing the item, but rather sponsoring the artifact in support of the museum’s overall mission. As our interpretation of the mansion and property evolves, some artifacts may be removed from display at the end of a season.

All adoptions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Adoptions go not only to the maintenance of a specific artifact but to support the museum mission as a whole. Portsmouth Historical Society is not limited to immediately conserving an artifact if funds are not raised in full.

For more information or to adopt an artifact over the phone please contact Development Manager, Kim Simmons.

Phone: 603.570.2492

“A Sense of Place” Curator Tour

“A Sense of Place” Curator Tour

A painting featuring the Portsmouth waterfront with a metal, vertical-lift bridge behind warehouses located at shores edge. Text says "Curators Tour, October 18, 12-1pm"

Go behind the scenes with the curator(s) of “A Sense of Place”

Spend an hour walking through our downstairs exhibition with the experts. Curators and museum staff will highlight behind-the-scenes exhibition creation, point out favorite items included, and add further information that just couldn’t fit within or on the walls of our museum.
Our curator tours are free with museum admission.
Single site admission is $10 general ticket/ $5 discount/ free for members.

“A Sense of Place” Curator Tour

“A Sense of Place” Curator Tour

A painting featuring the Portsmouth waterfront with a metal, vertical-lift bridge behind warehouses located at shores edge. Text says "Curators Tour, September 20, 12-1pm"

Go behind the scenes with the curator(s) of “A Sense of Place”

Spend an hour walking through our downstairs exhibition with the experts. Curators and museum staff will highlight behind-the-scenes exhibition creation, point out favorite items included, and add further information that just couldn’t fit within or on the walls of our museum.
Our curator tours are free with museum admission.
Single site admission is $10 general ticket/ $5 discount/ free for members.

“A Sense of Place” Curator Tour

“A Sense of Place” Curator Tour

A painting featuring the Portsmouth waterfront with a metal, vertical-lift bridge behind warehouses located at shores edge. Text says "Curators Tour, August 16, 12-1pm"

Go behind the scenes with the curator(s) of “A Sense of Place”

Spend an hour walking through our downstairs exhibition with the experts. Curators and museum staff will highlight behind-the-scenes exhibition creation, point out favorite items included, and add further information that just couldn’t fit within or on the walls of our museum.
Our curator tours are free with museum admission.
Single site admission is $10 general ticket/ $5 discount/ free for members.