142 Fleet Street
19 Market Street
123 Congress Street
49 Pleasant St
13 Market Street
89 Market Street
8 Congress Street
148 State Street
32 Daniel Street
51 Ceres Street
100 Market Street
112 Congress Street
40 Bridge Street
138 Congress Street
29 Congress Street
41 Market Street
22 Deer Street
Suite 100
175 Market Street
15 Vaughan Mall
2 Market Square
To celebrate over 400 years of Portsmouth’s history, the gingerbread committee at Portsmouth Historical Society has chosen the theme of “Portsmouth Past, Present and Future.” Join us at Portsmouth Historical Society from November 24 through December 30 to enjoy our 33rd Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition.
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!
The winner is Lauren Burdett’s HMS Hospitality Line, showcasing the red phone box that was gifted to Portsmouth, NH from Portsmouth, England in 1984
Our adult category featured so many iconic Portsmouth landmarks and creative constructions that we were once again blown away!
Honorable mention goes to Lindsay Carroll’s Our Lovely Port.
This category brings together families and friends of all ages to work on a gingerbread entry. This year’s entries were so incredible that the judges were tied for the Honorable Mention!
Our first honorable mention goes to the Palace Family for their Goat Mountain Skiing.
The winner is Water Wheel Castle with Textile Mill by Natalie, Rachel, and Xander Little.
The other honorable mention goes to Portsmouth Tug by the Kindstedt Family.
Our teen entrants combine beautiful execution with creative inspiration.
The winner is Gia Giordano’s Blue Christmas.
Honorable mention goes to Prescott Park Paradox (Before & After Climate Change) by Evy, Emma, Jillian, & Ava.
We’re always impressed with our youngest bakers. This year’s entries include favorite places and events in Portsmouth like Prescott Park, the Parade of Sail, and of course our John Paul Jones House!
The winner is Drew Ordman’s Tall Ships Portsmouth.
Honorable mention goes to Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse by Lillian Carroll.
The Little Old Cubicle in the Shoe by the International Association of Privacy Professionals’ Super Seven takes home the prize ribbon. We have it on good authority that the office also approves of this entry.
The Monarch School gets the honorable mention for The Albacore in Action, honoring the iconic Portsmouth submarine.
Congratulations to Libby Giordano for her colorful Candyland at Christmas.
With so many incredible entries we have not one, but two houses taking home an honorable mention.
Marden-Abbott House & Store by Clare Dombrowski looks just like the building at Strawbery Banke.
Showcasing multiple iconic Portsmouth views Sandi Strzepek’s I ♡ Portsmouth also takes home a ribbon.
While there were many nods to over 400 years of Portsmouth’s history in our gingerbread entries this year one monument stood above the rest. The award for Best Historic Detail goes to Rex Richards & Chloe Ingbretson-Dacey for Union is Strenght. This entry is a gingerbread representation of an arch that was erected between Market Square and Daniel Street in September, 1900 for one of Portsmouth’s many parades. The original structure was made of wood and only stood for about a month. This version is made of gingerbread and will be in the exhibition for five weeks!
This pair of first-time entrants chose a Portsmouth building that is near and dear to the historical society. Christmas at John’s House by Penny & Charlotte depicts the John Paul Jones House. With its cheery yellow exterior and clever pretzel windows their inspiration is immediately clear
The big winner for the People’s Choice Awards was Make-A-Wish New Hampshire’s Yuletide Palace made by Libby Giordano. This classic winter wonderland won not only People’s Choice for Best in Show, but also, Most Attention to Detail.
Libby Giordano’s Candyland at Christmas wins People’s Choice for Most Whimsical.
Best Downtown House goes to Richardson’s Market by Beth & Greg Danilowshi.
Most Creative Use of Materials goes to Water Wheel Castle with Textile Mill by Natalie, Rachel, and Xander Little.
Win a gingerbread creation to take home as a holiday centerpiece! Raffle tickets are $1, and winners will be notified on December 19, and they may pick up the house won on Friday, December 22 between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, or on Saturday, December 23, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
For the fourth year in a row, we’re partnering with downtown retailers to create a gingerbread scavenger hunt! Find all the houses, collect all your stamps, and return your entry to Portsmouth Historical Society by December 19 for a chance to win a prize! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite downtown house, too!
We’ll have an eye-spy activity for the younger kids. Find all the pictures and get a sticker—and a piece of candy if the parents say it’s okay!
We’ll also have an easy craft-to-go to complete at home. Color and assemble your own gingerbread house!
Categories include: most creative building materials, most whimsical, most attention to detail, and best in show.
All ballots must be cast in-person at 10 Middle Street.
Take the fun downtown with our scavenger hunt. Collect all the stamps and enter to win a raffle of gift cards and prizes from participating retailers!
Ring in the holiday season at the 32nd Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition! Once again, we’re filling our galleries and downtown shop windows with sweet holiday goodness.
Join us on Friday, December 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 to celebrate the season at our Vintage Christmas Kickoff Party. View the exhibition and find out the community judges’ winners for the Gingerbread House Contest.
Make your voice heard. Cast your vote for People’s Choice Awards. Categories include: most creative building materials, most whimsical, most attention to detail, and best in show. All ballots must be cast in-person at 10 Middle Street.
Take the fun downtown with our scavenger hunt. Collect all the stamps and enter to win a raffle of gift cards and prizes from participating retailers!
Get behind-the-scenes insights from “Show + Tell” curator, Tess Feltes.
Get a chance to meet the author of The Secret Life of Mary White: Darkness Into Light.
