by Portsmouth Historical Society | Jun 8, 2026
A rare chance to see the full historic picture
Learn more about the Revolutionary history of Portsmouth and the time around when the John Paul Jones House was built:
“Revolutionary Portsmouth”
Open now through October 31
Thursday–Monday, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Explore Portsmouth life in the turbulent years of the 1760s and 1770s, and to consider some of the many questions and choices our citizens faced at the time. Patriot or Loyalist? Liberty for whom?
Admission begins at $5
From Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour
1st and 3rd Fridays at 2:30 pm
Portsmouth, once the capital of the British royal colony of New Hampshire, swiftly went from a hub of royal commerce to a center of patriot sentiment. Learn how the 1770s changed the course of Portsmouth for decades to come.
Tours cost $15-20 per person
by Portsmouth Historical Society | Jun 8, 2026
A rare chance to see the full historic picture
Learn more about the Revolutionary history of Portsmouth and the time around when the John Paul Jones House was built:
“Revolutionary Portsmouth”
Open now through October 31
Thursday–Monday, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Explore Portsmouth life in the turbulent years of the 1760s and 1770s, and to consider some of the many questions and choices our citizens faced at the time. Patriot or Loyalist? Liberty for whom?
Admission begins at $5
From Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour
1st and 3rd Fridays at 2:30 pm
Portsmouth, once the capital of the British royal colony of New Hampshire, swiftly went from a hub of royal commerce to a center of patriot sentiment. Learn how the 1770s changed the course of Portsmouth for decades to come.
Tours cost $15-20 per person
by Portsmouth Historical Society | Jun 1, 2026
“Gay” Old Times: Stories of Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ Community
June Dates:
June 21 at 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Pride Weekend Tour:
June 20 at 10:00 – 11:30 am
*tour ends at the start of the Pride Parade
Learn about the hidden history of LGBT clubs, organizations, and people who impacted the Seacoast of NH on this 90-minute walking tour.
Tour Description:
Tour guide Tom Kaufhold will take you through Portsmouth for this engaging 90-minute tour. You will pass by many beautiful historic sites and learn some important facts about Portsmouth LGBTQ+ people, places and events, including:
- How UNH and the NH Supreme Court impacted Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ community
- Where the first gay and women’s bars were in Portsmouth
- The restaurant credited with starting Portsmouth’s restaurant renaissance
- The church that supported two LGBTQ+ organizations for decades.
Walking Tour Rates:
Tours are $15 for members, $20 for non-members, $15 for discounted groups (Children 5-18, Seniors 62+, Students, Portsmouth Residents), and free for children 5 and under.
All tours depart from Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth NH.
Online reservations close 30 minutes prior to tour departure. Please call (603) 436-8433 for last minute bookings.
Upgrade your ticket for just $5 to also visit our galleries and John Paul Jones House.
by Portsmouth Historical Society | May 18, 2026
Join us below the cherry tree at the John Paul Jones House to celebrate the Portsmouth Peace Treaty!
This year is the 121th 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 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.
by Portsmouth Historical Society | May 12, 2026
“Gay” Old Times: Stories of Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ Community
June Dates:
June 21 at 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Pride Weekend Tour:
June 20 at 10:00 – 11:30 am
*tour ends at the start of the Pride Parade
Learn about the hidden history of LGBT clubs, organizations, and people who impacted the Seacoast of NH on this 90-minute walking tour.
Tour Description:
Tour guide Tom Kaufhold will take you through Portsmouth for this engaging 90-minute tour. You will pass by many beautiful historic sites and learn some important facts about Portsmouth LGBTQ+ people, places and events, including:
- How UNH and the NH Supreme Court impacted Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ community
- Where the first gay and women’s bars were in Portsmouth
- The restaurant credited with starting Portsmouth’s restaurant renaissance
- The church that supported two LGBTQ+ organizations for decades.
Walking Tour Rates:
Tours are $15 for members, $20 for non-members, $15 for discounted groups (Children 5-18, Seniors 62+, Students, Portsmouth Residents), and free for children 5 and under.
All tours depart from Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth NH.
Online reservations close 30 minutes prior to tour departure. Please call (603) 436-8433 for last minute bookings.
Upgrade your ticket for just $5 to also visit our galleries and John Paul Jones House.
