JPJ Open on Veterans Day

JPJ Open on 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 9, the John Paul Jones House will be open on Saturday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day.

Free admission for all.

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Bellringing Celebration

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Bellringing Celebration

Image of the John Paul Jones House (a yellow Georgian House) with a handbell on the left side with text below that reads: Portsmouth Peace Treaty Bell Ringing, Tuesday, September 5 at 3:47 p.m.

Join us below the cherry tree at the John Paul Jones House to celebrate the Portsmouth Peace Treaty!

This year is the 118th Anniversary of the signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty on September 5, 1905. The spirit of the Treaty, the statesmanship of the diplomats and President Roosevelt, and the citizen diplomacy of local people is a legacy that is perhaps more important than ever in these turbulent global times — and is echoed in the themes of the “Diplomats in Portsmouth” exhibit displayed for the Portsmouth NH 400th at the John Paul Jones House.

By re-enacting the bellringing that occurred when the Treaty was signed on September 5, 1905, we echo the celebration all around the Seacoast that welcomed the news that the Russo-Japanese War was over and we commemorate the active role local citizens played in helping to achieve that peace. So the sounding of bells around the state at 3:47 pm on September 5th is the historical, and in many ways most meaningful celebration of Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day, an official statewide observance since unanimous legislation was passed in 2010.

Twilight Tour

Twilight Tour

Image of a large yellow Georgian House on a green grass lawn at twilight.

Join the Portsmouth Historic Sites Association for its annual Twilight Tour on Friday, August 11, from 4-8 p.m.

This year’s Twilight Tour features special exhibitions and objects of PHSA sites that celebrate the City of Portsmouth’s 400th anniversary, including those highlighted in the legacy project, A History of Portsmouth NH in 101 Objects.

The following historical properties will be open during Twilight Tour:

  • Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire
  • Historic New England’s Langdon House
  • Moffatt-Ladd House and Gardens
  • Portsmouth Historical Society’s John Paul Jones House
  • Strawbery Banke Museum’s Goodwin Mansion
  • Warner House
  • Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion

Tickets are $25 for adults ($20 in advance) and $10 for children ages 12 and under. All tours are self-guided and houses can be visited in any order. Each ticket is valid for one admission to each of the participating sites on the night of August 11. The ticket remains valid until the end of the 2023 season for any houses not visited on the night of Twilight Tour.

Ticket holders are responsible for their transportation and parking.

John Paul Jones Birthday Bash

John Paul Jones Birthday Bash

John Paul Jones Birthday Bash. July 9, 111 am - 4 pm. Color Guard demonstration at noon drop-in games and crafts all day long. Background is light blue with balloons and confetti creating a border on the right of the image.

Help us celebrate the 276th Birthday of John Paul Jones!

Join us on the John Paul Jones House lawn all day for lawn games and crafts, fit for a revolutionary-era birthday bash.

Live music by Great bay Sailor begins at noon. Remarks, a rousing round of Happy Birthday, and cake cutting will take place around 12:30 p.m.

All Day Activities:
  • Yard Games: croquet, graves (french hoops), cornhole, sack races, and more
  • Maritime crafts
Free admission to the John Paul Jones House 11 a.m.– 5p.m.

Happy Birthday, John Paul Jones!

Gardening Family Day

Gardening Family Day

Background of dark wooden flooring with an assortment of gardening tools (gloves, shears, plants, soil, pots) forming a half moon shape on the left side. text reads: Gardening Family Day: Saturday, May 13 11 am – 4 pm on the John Paul Jones Lawn. Seed ball workshops at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm and drop-in activities all day long. This program is sponsored by Newburyport Bank

Get a jump start on your garden, and spread some wildflowers!

Celebrate the lovely spring weather with some fun gardening activities for the whole family! We’ll be creating seed-starting egg carton greenhouses all day between 11am and 4pm.
This is a FREE event.
No pre-registration is required.
All activities will take place on the John Paul Jones Lawn.

Seed ball workshops at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.

Help support our local pollinators and bring a little beauty to your yard with seed balls! Seed balls are little compost and clay spheres full of wildflower seeds that you can drop in your yard or in a pot. With just some water and sunshine, you’ll soon have your own patch of wildflowers! This seed ball activity is appropriate for ages 5 and up, and children will need to have their adult present.