“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, July 19, 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, April 12, 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.

2023 Opening Day

2023 Opening Day

Join us for the start of the 2023 season on April 1.

Featured Exhibition:
A Sense of Place, a companion exhibition to A History of Portsmouth NH in 101 Objects

John Paul Jones House Open for Veterans Day

John Paul Jones House Open for Veterans Day

Built in 1758, the John Paul Jones Historic House Museum is a registered national historic landmark.

Although the season officially ended on October 10, the John Paul Jones House will be open on Friday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day.

Free admission for all.

We 💗 Black History

Does Someone Need a Hug?

Send an Obama Hug for Valentine’s Day AND Black History Month!

The Seacoast African American Cultural Center is teaming up with the Historical Society to offer these funny and heartwarming cards, featuring the friendly grin of our huggiest-ever president!

This unique and oversized card (those hands are nearly life-sized!) is sure to brighten someone’s day. We can add a message and mail this collectible card directly to your valentine!

Available at our online shop!


Rock Rest Rocking Chair

Rocking chair, America, ca. 1900-1920. Retailed by Margeson Brothers, Portsmouth. Oak, replaced leather seat; H. 42 1/4 in., W. 27 1/4 in., D. 33 in.
Portsmouth Historical Society; Gift of Bob Shouse, 2014

This chair was used at Rock Rest in Kittery Point, Maine, in operation from 1946 to 1977 as a summer retreat by Hazel and Clayton Sinclair for an African American clientele, providing a safe and congenial haven for Black travelers. Through the efforts of historian Valerie Cunningham and the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, the Rock Rest archives are now at UNH, and the site is featured in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.


Writing While Black: The Afrofuturistic Writer

This Sunday, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is hosting another online edition of the Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks. Featuring some big names in contemporary fiction, “Writing While Black: The Afrofuturistic Writer” will explore Black writers and characters in a genre where they have not been expected to excel.

Registration in advance is necessary, so sign up now!

Illustration by Freddy Carrasco


There may be snow in the forecast, but spring is coming soon! We’ll be open again before you know it, with some incredible works of art on the walls!

Keep warm with your Valentine and stay tuned!


History. Arts. Culture.