Portsmouth Historical Society

Daily Walking Tours (May–October)
2024-05-01 - 2024-05-31, 2024-06-01 - 2024-06-30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Daily Walking Tours
Walking Through 400 Years of History
Daily at 10:30 am
Saturday and the 2nd and 4th Friday at 2:30 pm
This daily 90-minute walking tour covers the streets, stories, buildings, and architecture of historic downtown Portsmouth.

Book your walking tour!

Tour Description:
Learn why Portsmouth is the hub of the New Hampshire Seacoast! Our downtown is filled with hidden treasures. Our knowledgeable walking tour guides will introduce you to the city’s rich past and lively present—a unique mix of architecture, specialty shops, and bustling streets nestled in a village-like setting. This 90-minute guided walking tour is sure to bring the history of Portsmouth alive!

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.

Young Artist Contest
2024-05-01 - 2024-05-31 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
With the start of our latest exhibition, “The Matter of Memory,” we are bringing back and expanding our previous Young Writers Contest into the Portsmouth Historical Society’s Young Artists Contest! Find inspiration in our show to create your own unique piece of art!
Come visit our exhibition (or download our educational packet), and explore both “The Matter of Memory,” and its companion show of contemporary art. Choose a piece that sparks your creativity and create a piece of writing or visual art and submit it to our contest to be eligible for a prize!

Submit Your Art!

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 11th.
Each artist may submit up to three pieces of art, but each piece must be submitted with a separate form.
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 SocietySarah Robbitts-Terry10 Middle StreetPortsmouth, NH 03801
We can’t wait to see your work!

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.

Curator Tour
2024-05-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-03 17:30 - 18:30, 2024-06-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-06-07 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
A behind-the-scenes look at our current exhibition
“The Matter of Memory” explored the ways that museums are the vessels of communal and individual memory along with how they consciously or unconsciously shape memory through what types of items are displayed and shared. Walk through the gallery with our museum curator and get a deeper understanding into some of the choices made in museum collections and exhibitions in both the past and present.
Tours happen at 12:00 and 5:30 pm.This is a free tour, no registration required.

Learn more about the exhibition

Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour
2024-05-03 14:30 - 16:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
From Loyalist to Liberty
Semi-Monthly at 2:30 pm
First and third Fridays of the month
This 90-minute walking tour traces the path of Portsmouth during the 1770s. From a hub of British loyalty a series of events in the 1770s fanned the flames of independence and turned Portsmouth into a hotbed of Patriotism.

Book your walking tour!

Tour Description:
Learn about British settlement of the Seacoast and the economic prosperity that made Portsmouth the capital city of the royal colony and then see how the events of the 1770s changed public opinion to that of revolution. During your 90-minute walk, you will visit sites that are related to the American Revolution including: North Church and State House Plaque Queen’s Chapel Liberty Pole Pitt Tavern and more.

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.

"The Matter of Memory" NHAA Reception
2024-05-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
NHAA Reception and Awards Ceremony
Artists, their friends and family, and the public are all invited to join us for the reception and awards ceremony for the juried contemporary response to “The Matter of Memory.”Prize winners will be announced at 6 pm.Light refreshments and beverages will be available.

This event is put on in partnership with

Thank you to The Puddle Dock Restaurant for sponsoring the prize awards.

Free admission all day long.
Visit our most recent exhibition “The Matter of Memory” and view highlights from our permanent collection in our “Past & Present” exhibition.

Add the 12:00 pm curator tour to your calendar

Add the 5:30 pm curator tour to your calendar

Children's Day
2024-05-05 12:00 - 16:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Portsmouth Historical Society celebrates Children’s Day!
As part of the downtown activities organized by our friends at Pro Portsmouth, stop by 10 Middle Street to enjoy gift shop specials, free admission for children and a Children’s Day craft!

Did you know Japan also celebrates Children’s Day on May 5th? Make your own beautiful koinobori, or carp kites, for each member of your family in our Program Room from 12-4 pm.

See more Children's Day activity locations

Museum Gift Shop Deals
Stop by our gift shop to buy this children’s book by a local author and get a free yo-yo!

Shop the Store

Women of Portsmouth Walking Tour
2024-05-08 14:30 - 16:00, 2024-06-12 14:30 - 16:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Women of Portsmouth Walking Tour
Once a month at 2:30 pmSecond Wednesdays of the monthLearn the untold stories of navigators, preachers, artists, authors, tavern keepers, and madams who defied stereotypes and shaped Portsmouth on this 90 minutes tour.

Book your walking tour!

Tour Description:
For over 400 years women have been shaping the course of Portsmouth’s history. After the 90-minute walking tour, we hope you will walk away surprised by all the ways that women have impacted the fabric of this city. Your tour will cover almost two miles including Prescott Park and the Old Harbor.

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.

Theatrical Family Day
2024-05-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Enjoy a performance from Lindsay and her Puppet Pals!

Register for the Theatrical Family Day

Thank you to our event sponsor:

Along The Waterfront Walking Tour
2024-05-15 14:30 - 16:30, 2024-05-22 14:30 - 16:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Along the Waterfront
Twice a Month at 2:30 pm
Third and fourth Wednesdays of the month
Stretch your legs on our longest walking tour! This two-hour tour includes Prescott Park, the working waterfront, the tugboats, a bit of beer history and more. Born and bred Portsmouth local, Ron Sher, adds personal anecdotes and depth to this extended tour.

Book your walking tour!

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.

Lecture: 12,000 Years in the Granite State
2024-05-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Hear about what was happening in New Hampshire 12,000 years ago.

Register for 12,000 Years in the Granite State

More about the lecture:
More than 12,000 years ago, small groups of Paleoindians endured frigid winters on the edge of a small river in what would become Keene, New Hampshire. In 2009, an archaeological survey for the new Keene Middle School discovered the remains of their stay and brought to light one of the oldest Native American sites in New England. The remarkably intact site produced evidence of four separate dwellings containing over 200 stone tools and fragments of burned animal bone. These early people, rather than being isolated stone-age nomads, were part of a social network that extended across much of northeastern North America. The discovery and excavation of the site was required by the National Historic Preservation Act, a frequently maligned piece of legislation that in this instance worked to save an irreplaceable piece of the human story.

About the Presenter:
Robert Goodby is a professor of Anthropology at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge. He holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from Brown University and has spent more than thirty years studying Native American archaeological sites in New England. He is a past president of the New Hampshire Archeological Society, a former Trustee of the Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner, and served on the New Hampshire Commission on Native American Affairs. In 2010, he directed the excavations of four 12,000-year-old Paleoindian dwellings at the Tenant Swamp site in Keene, and his book A Deep Presence: 13,000 Years of Native American History, was published in 2021 by Peter E. Randall Publisher.

This event is made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities

Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour
2024-05-17 14:30 - 16:00, 2024-06-07 14:30 - 16:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
From Loyalist to Liberty
Semi-Monthly at 2:30 pm
First and third Fridays of the month
This 90-minute walking tour traces the path of Portsmouth during the 1770s. From a hub of British loyalty a series of events in the 1770s fanned the flames of independence and turned Portsmouth into a hotbed of Patriotism.

Book your walking tour!

Tour Description:
Learn about British settlement of the Seacoast and the economic prosperity that made Portsmouth the capital city of the royal colony and then see how the events of the 1770s changed public opinion to that of revolution. During your 90-minute walk, you will visit sites that are related to the American Revolution including: North Church and State House Plaque, Queen’s Chapel, Liberty Pole, Pitt Tavern, and more.

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.

LGBTQ+ Walking Tour
2024-05-19 14:30 - 16:00, 2024-06-16 14:30 - 16:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
“Gay” Old Times: Stories of Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ Community
Once a month at 2:30 pm
Third Sundays of the month
Learn about the hidden history of LGBT clubs, organizations, and people who impacted the Seacoast of NH on this 90-minute walking tour.

Book your 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.

Read it and Eat!
2024-05-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Register for Read It and Eat! a spring potluck

If you cannot attend our events this year (May 20th, July 22nd, September 23rd), you can still submit a recipe for our community cookbook! Email our Programs Coordinator, Sarah Robbitts-Terry at sarah@portsmouthhistory.org to submit your recipe.

FAQs

What is currently in-season?
Arugula, asparagus, carrots, chicory, chives, collard greens, endive, fiddleheads, green onions, mushrooms, pea shoots, radicchio, radishes, rosemary, rhubarb, swiss chard, tarragon, thyme, turnips, watercress

How many people should my dish serve?
We usually have 15-20 people at each Read It and Eat event, however each of those individuals will all be making a dish! If your recipe serves 4-6, that should be more than enough. People tend to take small portions so they can try everything.

Will alcohol be served? Can I use it in a recipe?
Per the conditions of our liquor license with the city, we do not serve alcohol at these events, and guests cannot bring alcohol to drink. However, dishes with cooked alcohol are perfectly fine to bring.

How are food allergies handled?
We do ask people to provide us with a list of ingredients in their dishes, but this is a potluck-style dinner with dishes all laid out together on a long table and served family-style. Dishes are prepared at individuals’ homes and cross-contamination cannot be ruled out.

Are non-alcoholic drinks provided?
Yes! In addition to water and seltzer, we provide fun mocktails for everyone to enjoy!

Can I plug in my crock pot?
Unfortunately, we do not have enough outlets to accommodate crock pots or other electrical equipment. Dishes must come ready to be served.

John Paul Jones House Opening Day
2024-05-23 11:00 - 17:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
We are thrilled to once again open the John Paul Jones House to visitors!
Visit highlights include:

items from the museum’s collection
the room John Paul Jones is said to have rented while in Portsmouth, NH during the American Revolution
“Finishing Touches” exhibition
“An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905” exhibition by the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum

2024 Operating Hours:

Thursday-Monday, 11 am – 5 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday by appointment only

Plan Your Visit

Knit Happens
2024-05-24 14:30 - 15:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Join us for a monthly yarn circle!

Register for Knit Happens

New Hampshire Humanities 50th Birthday Party
2024-06-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States

Art Round Town
2024-06-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Art Round Town featuring PNH400
Join us for Art Round Town as we spotlight our friends at PortsmouthNH400 with the debut of two commemorative books! “History Lights Our Way” delves into the rich history of Portsmouth’s past and present while “400 x 400” captures iconic pictures from a historic celebratory year. Mix and mingle with the authors, photographers, and contributors and reminisce on the historic celebrations that were had in 2023. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history– books will be available for sale!

Pre-order the books

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Free admission all day long.
Visit our most recent exhibition “The Matter of Memory” and view highlights from our permanent collection in our “Past & Present” exhibition.

Add the 12:00 pm curator tour to your calendar

Add the 5:30 pm curator tour to your calendar

New Hampshire Gives
2024-06-11 17:00 - 2024-06-12 17:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States

Homeschool Day Walking Tours
2024-06-12 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-06-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Add your name to the waitlist

Our June 12 and 13 Homeschool Days have filled up!
We will add additional sessions if we have enough interest. Please fill out this form if you want to register for this event on another day.

John Paul Jones House and the Portsmouth Peace Treaty
Morning Session (10–11 a.m.)
Join our resident John Paul Jones House expert for a guided tour through the historic house! Finish your tour on the top floor with the Portsmouth Peace Treaty exhibition, a look through Portsmouth’s involvement in the peace negotiations of the Russo-Japanese War.

African Burying Ground and Black Heritage Trail Sites
Afternoon Session (12–1 p.m.)
Join us at the African Burying Grounds for an in depth tour of this fascinating memorial site. Following our time at the African Burying Grounds, we will embark on a walking tour to discover additional sites in Portsmouth with connections to Black heritage.

Homeschool Day details
Cost:
Students $8 per session
Accompanying adult free
Homeschool Days are intended for students ages 5 and older. All students must be accompanied by an adult.
This is our final program of the school year, we look forward to having monthly offerings for the 2024-2025 school year. While we are planning, take advantage of the reduced pricing and give us your feedback! How can Portsmouth Historical Society further support your learners?

Add your name to the waitlist

Morning and afternoon sessions can be purchased as part of the same order. No lunch is provided, but those enrolled in both sessions are welcome to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the John Paul Jones House lawn.

Doodle Day
2024-06-15 11:00 - 14:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Sharpen your pencils and get doodling!

Register for the Doodle Family Day

Along the Waterfront
2024-06-19 14:30 - 16:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
