Portsmouth Historical Society

Women of Portsmouth Walking Tour
2026-09-09 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-08-12 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-07-08 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Women of Portsmouth Walking Tour
Learn the untold stories of navigators, preachers, artists, authors, tavern keepers, and madams who defied stereotypes and shaped Portsmouth on this 90 minutes 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.

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day- Free Admission at the John Paul Jones House
2026-09-05 10:00 - 17:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
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.

Enjoy free admission at the John Paul Jones House all day!

"Betty & Barney" Curator Tour
2026-09-04 17:30 - 18:00, 2026-09-04 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-07-03 17:30 - 18:00, 2026-07-03 12:00 - 12:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Take a Guided Tour Around “Betty & Barney”
Join Meredith Affleck, our Exhibitions Manager and X-Files fan, as she guides you through the “Betty & Barney” exhibition. This exhibition will cover the reported UFO abduction, leaving you to draw your own conclusions, and showcase Betty and Barney’s active role within the Portsmouth community. Learn how broad of an impact their experience had on pop culture and the way we think of aliens.
Finish your tour with a visit to the complementary, contemporary exhibition upstairs featuring a juried selection of NHAA artists.
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
2026-09-04 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-08-21 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-08-07 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-07-17 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-07-03 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.

Historic Portsmouth Extended Walking Tour
2026-08-26 14:30 - 16:30, 2026-08-19 14:30 - 16:30, 2026-07-29 14:30 - 16:30, 2026-07-15 14:30 - 16:30, 2026-06-24 14:30 - 16:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Historic Portsmouth Extended Walking Tour
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 all the highlights of the daily Historic Portsmouth tour and brings visitors to Prescott Park and the waterfront.

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.

"Gay Old Times" LGBTQ+ Walking Tour
2026-08-16 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-07-19 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
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.

Twilight Tours at the John Paul Jones House
2026-08-14 16:00 - 20:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States

Curator Tour “Revolutionary Portsmouth”
2026-08-07 12:00 - 13:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
Join our Curator for a Guided Tour of “Revolutionary Portsmouth”
Step into a house that witnessed the American Revolution and may have housed important Revolutionary Figures. Join our Curator, Gerry Ward, as he walks through this exhibition examining the choices of everyday citizens in Portsmouth during the 1760s and 1770s. Democracy or monarchy? Patriot or a Loyalist. What did the Revolution actually mean for local African Americans, Native Americans, or women? What was life on the homefront like? What did the town look like at this time, in terms of its architecture and material life?
Tours happen at 12:00 and 5:30 pm.This is a free tour, no registration required.

Learn more about the exhibition

Behind-The-Scenes John Paul Jones House Tour
2026-07-17 17:00 - 19:30 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
A rare chance to see the full historic picture

Get your tickets to the behind-the-scenes tour

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

Learn more about the exhibition

From Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour
1st and 3rd Fridays at 2:30 pmPortsmouth, 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

Book your walking tour

Family Day: House Birthday Party
2026-07-11 10:30 - 12:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
Help us celebrate the 268th birthday of this historic property!
Join us on the John Paul Jones House lawn all day for lawn games and crafts, fit for a revolutionary-era birthday bash as we celebrate the construction of this Portsmouth home.
All Day Activities:

Yard Games: croquet, graves (french hoops), cornhole, sack races, and more
I-Spy house tour
Coloring Activities
Cupcakes!

Free admission to the John Paul Jones House 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Plan your visit

About the House
The building known today as the John Paul Jones House was built in 1758 for Gregory Purcell, a sea captain and merchant. When built, the house was considered to be at the edge of downtown and was amongst only a handful of stately three story homes in the city. The house changed hands several times during the nineteenth century. Owners included Woodbury Langdon, Henry and Alexander Ladd who rented the home to Senator John F. Parrott, and Samuel Lord.
It’s name comes from the potential resident, Captain John Paul Jones, who is believed to have stayed there during the American Revolution.

John Paul Jones House Free Admission Day
2026-07-04 10:00 - 17:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
ence Day

Historic Portsmouth Walking Tours (May-Oct)
2026-07-01 - 2026-08-31 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Historic Portsmouth
Daily at 10:30 amSaturday and the 2nd and 4th Friday at 2:30 pmThis 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.

Family Evening: Stargazing
2026-06-27 21:00 - 22:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
Join us for a night looking up at the sky

RSVP to our Family Day

Thank you to our Family Day sponsor for making this free, family-friendly event possible:

"Gay Old Times" LGBTQ+ Walking Tour
2026-06-21 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-06-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
“Gay” Old Times: Stories of Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ Community

June Dates:
June 21 at 2:30 – 4:00 pmPride Weekend Tour:June 20 at 10:00 – 11:30 am*tour ends at the start of the Pride ParadeLearn about the hidden history of LGBT clubs, organizations, and people who impacted the Seacoast of NH on this 90-minute walking tour.

Check out other Pride Month events!

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.

Pride Month: Pre-Parade History and Crafts
2026-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
Celebrate years of Seacoast Pride!
Kick off Portsmouth Pride at the John Paul Jones House! Browse artifacts from our city’s LGBTQ+ history, then join us on the lawn to make mini-flags and buttons to take with you to the parade. A relaxed, family-friendly space for all ages before the festivities begin. The Portsmouth Pride Parade is hosted by our friends at NH Outright.
This is a free, drop-in event.

Don’t forget to check out our LGBTQ+ History Walking Tours!
Learn about the hidden history of LGBT clubs, organizations, and people who impacted the Seacoast of NH on this 90-minute walking tour. Tours are $20 for non-members and $15 for members and discounted groups.
Note: the June 20 tour will end at the start of the Portsmouth Pride Parade.

Join a June LGBTQ+ Tour
