by Portsmouth Historical Society | Apr 20, 2026
We invite our young visitors to explore their creativity with our 3rd annual Young Artists Contest!
We invite our young visitors to explore their creativity with our third annual Young Artists Contest! Starting April 1st, come visit our two exhibitions, “Betty and Barney,” which tells the fascinating life stories of a New Hampshire couple who believed they were abducted by aliens, and “Contemporary Currents,” which features many local artists across different mediums, and find a piece that inspires you. Take that inspiration, create your own piece of writing or visual art, and submit it to our contest to be eligible for a prize, which includes a gift certificate from Nahcotta!
Submissions are broken down into the following age divisions:
Ages 7 – 10
Ages 11 – 14
Ages 15 – 18
A winner and an honorable mention will be chosen for each age division in the categories of writing and visual art. Winners and honorable mentions will have the opportunity for their work to be displayed at the Portsmouth Historical Society.
The contest will be open from April 1st through May 31st. There will be a reception for all entrants and their families at the Historical Society at 5:30pm on June 9, 2026.
What kind of art can I submit?
Writing: Short stories, poems, plays/dialogue, newspaper articles, essays, imagined interviews, and more are all potential options! Writing submissions have a max word count of 2,000. Visual Art: Any medium can be submitted, including (but not limited to) paint, colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, photography, collage, etc. Visual art will need to be photographed to be submitted. Please make sure your artwork is well lit and against a plain background. Have another idea? Reach out to sarah@portsmouthhistory.org with any questions!
How do I submit my art?
You can fill out our submission form online, or print out a paper form and drop it off or mail it to the Historical Society. Entries should be mailed to: Portsmouth Historical Society Sarah Robbitts-Terry 10 Middle Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 We can’t wait to see your work!
Is there a limit to number of submissions?
Each artist may submit up to three pieces of art, but each piece must be submitted with a separate form.
Thank you to our prize sponsors:
by Portsmouth Historical Society | Oct 7, 2025
Learn about the cultural and historic significant of beadwork at this talk and demonstration.
Artist Statement:
Through each bead, I stitch resistance and remembrance. My work honors the ancestors who walked before me, carrying their strength into the present. Beading is my voice-unyielding, radiant, and alive-proclaiming that Indigenous presence will never be erased.
About the Artist:
Kimberly-Ann, 33, is an enrolled member of the Missisquoi band of Abenaki of northern Vermont and is an experienced bead worker. Born and raised in southern New Hampshire, Kimberly-Ann has been involved in her culture all her life. She began beading at the age of 12 when she was taught by a family member and continues to learn and incorporate new techniques in her work today. She has made pieces for many friends, family members, and customers; she has also made pieces featured in Peacock’s series Rutherford Falls. When not beading she can be found singing at powwows and spending time with her friends, family, and dog SadieMae.
This program is generously sponsored as a part of our William and Arlene Brewster Lecture Series.
by Portsmouth Historical Society | Oct 3, 2025
A Fond Farewell. The final Cabot Lyford Curator Tour
Saturday, November 1, 2–3 pm
Walk through “Winds of Change,” one final time and enjoy this retrospective of the work of Cabot Lyford (1925–2016), with Guest Curator Rachel Walls. Learn how Lyford’s experimental approach to different materials and his advocacy of environmental and political issues through his art can resonate with viewers as much now as it did in the 20th century.
by Portsmouth Historical Society | Aug 28, 2025 | Exhibitions
Experiment and push the limits in our annual Gingerbread House Contest!
November 28–December 30
Open Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free Admission
Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve open 10 am–2 pm
Christmas Day Closed
December 26-30 open 10 am– 4 pm
Theme for 2025: The Great Gingerbread Experiment
Step into a world where gingerbread meets imagination! For 2025, we’re looking for bold, unexpected creations in The Great Gingerbread Experiment. Come and see bakers, builders, and dreamers of all ages stretch the boundaries of confectionery as they present sculptures, scenes, and sweet surprises that defy the traditional roof and walls.
You’ll see all types of experiments: new kinds of structure, using an edible material you’d never think to put on a gingerbread house, or knocking down the gingerbread walls altogether, we have filled the gallery to with innovative designs come to life. Embrace creativity and join us for a season of playful experimentation in gingerbread like never before.
Gingerbread Reception and Awards Party
Friday, December 5, 5:30–7:30 pm
Gingerbread House Workshop
Saturdays, December 13 & 20, 10:30 am
Cookie Swap
Saturday, December 13 at 1pm
Gingerbread Smash
Saturday, January 3, 1 pm
Extended Gingerbread Hours:
Saturday, December 6 open until 9 pm for Shop & Stroll
Friday, December 12 open until 8 pm
Friday, December 19 open until 8 pm
Tips and Tricks Tours: December 12 & 19, 5:30–6:30 pm
Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve open 10 am–2 pm
Christmas Day Closed
December 26-30 open 10 am– 4 pm
Gingerbread House Raffle
Win a gingerbread creation to take home as a holiday centerpiece! Raffle tickets are $5, and winners will be notified on December 16.
All winners have been alerted and houses will be picked up between Sunday, December 21 and Monday, December 22, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Stocking Raffle
Enter to win curated gift baskets perfect for the holiday season. Stockings include:
❄ Skating passes
❄ Dinner and a show
❄ Ice Castles adventures
❄ Founder’s tour at Wiggle Bridge Distillery
It’s always such a difficult job to judge the Gingerbread Contest. Let’s give our judges a round of applause for their hard work!
Youth Category
Our youngest builders can count on their creative minds to come up with experimental styles and ways to construct gingerbread.
Our youth winner, Cole Dinulos, reached new heights with his Eiffel Tower in Winter in Paris.
Runners up, The Children’s Garden Preschool, asked the important question, what happens If You Give a Moose a Gingerbread House?
This year’s teen category showed what can be done when you work together, with many group entries.
Merry Grinchmas from Little Clipper Preschool and PHS Careers in Education Students!
The sibling duo of Alyza & Vaughan Vaillancourt took home the honorable mention for Clara’s Escape.
Multigenerational Category
Three generations came together to bake, decorate, and assemble this stunning Encanto, made by Judy Monahan, Amy Monahan, Josie Monahan Case & Sandi Strzepek.
Working across generations led our bakers to discover new techniques and work together to build stunning gingerbread creations!
The Johnson Family created a massive Simple Christmas Cabin that left an impression on the judges.
Business Category
These gingerbread entries celebrate the many wonderful local businesses and non-profits we have in the Seacoast area.
This bright and colorful Sugarland by Libby Giordano for Make-A-Wish NH sure made an impression on our judges.
Linda Roth experimented with isomalt for the first time in her ribbon-receiving Elsa’s Frozen Palace.
Best in Show Honorable Mention
The Throne of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come by Olivia Patsfield of Royal Cookies LLC made everyone take a closer look at the delicate (and edible) lacework.
Adult and Best in Show Winner
Judges were awed by the detail and skill used in this multi-award winner.
“Ode to Celia Thaxter” by Sandi Strzepek was this baker’s first attempt at working with gum paste (and won’t be her last). Each side of this build is full of fantastic details that must be seen in person.
Staff Picks
Each year, we love to award first-time entrants who have embraced this holiday tradition.
Kimberly Huber’s Cabin in the Woods is a perfect cozy retreat for this time of year.
Best First-Time Multigenerational
These mad scientists definitely tried something new in The Nautilus Experiment by Traci, Taylor, and Renee.
People’s Choice Winners
We had nearly 2,000 votes cast this year, and the People added more awards to several houses.
Most Creative Use of Materials
Necco wafters, licorice, and more led the The Johnson Family’s Simple Christmas Cabin to win Most Creative Use of Materials.
This topsy-turvy stack of colorful gingerbread houses piled high won the award for most whimsical. Congratulations to Sugarland by Libby Giordano for Make-A-Wish NH.
People’s Choice Most Attention to Detail and Best In Show
It’s been undeniable that, “Ode to Celia Thaxter” by Sandi Strzepek, caught so many eyes over the course of the month. Each side of this charming cottage has something new to behold!
Help Support Preservation in Portsmouth with a Cookie Plaque
Help support Portsmouth Historical Society and the Portsmouth Advocates’ efforts to preserve our historic architecture. Just like the plaques in our Historic House Plaque Program, you can buy a cookie plaque for your gingerbread creation! Just $5 for members, and $10 for non-members.
If you live in an historic home, check out the Plaque Program. You can start the process of commissioning a plaque and research the history of your house!
Thank you to our sweet sponsors:
by Portsmouth Historical Society | Aug 12, 2025
Create your own sunprints using the power of the sun!
Important Notes:
- Suggested objects will be smaller than 4×5″ and have some transparency or unique shape to them. Lace, jewelry, cut glass, textiles with some transparency, and small toys all work well.
- This workshop is open to all ages, but please note that, while sunprinting fabric is generally safe to touch, little ones who might put hands in mouths would need to be closely monitored.
- To help us purchase the correct amount of supplies, please use the “Participant” ticket if you’d like to create a sunprint, and the “Guardian” ticket if you’re bringing a child but don’t want to make your own print. All are more than welcome to participate – we just need an accurate count to make sure we have plenty of materials and space!
Thank you to our event sponsor:
