Portsmouth Historical Society

Workshop: Family, Memory, Place
2024-04-18 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Join us for the first part of this free interactive workshop!

Register for Family, Memory, Place Workshop

About the Presenter:
Maura MacNeil is a writer, editor, and teacher. She is the author of the poetry collections: A History of Water (Finishing Line Press), Lost Houses (Kelsay Books), and This Last Place (Dancing Girl Press). Her poetry, prose, and critical writing has been published and anthologized in numerous publications over the past three decades including: Penning the Pandemic: An Anthology of Creative Writing from the Beginning of the Covid Era; Mud Chronicles: A New England Anthology; Poet Showcase: An Anthology of New Hampshire Poets; and Voices from the Frost Place Volume II. For over two decades she has taught writing at New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire.

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

"10 Piscataqua Writers" Book Signing
2024-04-17 17:30 - 19:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Buy Your Copy of 2024 Ten Piscataqua Writers

Enjoy an evening listening to select works from 2024: 10 Piscataqua Writers.
Join us on Wednesday, April 17 for our first book signing event of 2024. This free event is open to the public, no registration required. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

With:

Mark DeCarteret

Laura Pope

Tim Horvath

Gardening Family Day
2024-04-13 10:00 - 15:00 | John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
Get a jump start on your garden, and spread some wildflowers!

Register for the Gardening Family Day

Curator Tour
2024-04-05 17:30 - 18:30, 2024-04-05 12:00 - 13:00 | 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

Art 'Round Town
2024-04-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
We’ll be open until 8 p.m. on April 5th for Art ‘Round Town!
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

Young Artist Contest
2024-04-01 - 2024-04-30 | 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.

Opening Day 2024!
2024-04-01 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Open for the 2024 Season!
After a busy winter, preparing our new exhibitions, programs, and more we are thrilled to once again welcome visitors back to the Portsmouth Historical Society starting April 1.

Plan your visit

Women's History Month Walking Tour
2024-03-30 14:00 - 15:30 | 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.

Join the Women's History Month 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.

Preview Party and Silent Auction
2024-03-28 17:30 - 19:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
You’re Invited!

RSVP to the Preview Party & Silent Auction

catering sponsored by:

Become a Member Today!

Learn About the Exhibition

Homeschool Day
2024-03-27 12:00 - 13:30, 2024-03-13 09:30 - 11:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Figure out how the people of Portsmouth’s past met their needs through hands-on artifact examination.

Register for our March Homeschool Day!

Life and Death in the Piscataqua
2024-02-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Masonic Temple, 45 Miller Ave, Portsmouth, NH, United States
Life and Death in the Piscataqua
Doors open at 9:30 am on Saturday, February 17.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Get your tickets online, or by mailing a check to Portsmouth Historic Sites Associates, P.O. Box 4073, Portsmouth, NH 03802

Get your tickets!

Gingerbread Smash
2024-01-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Register for our Gingerbread Smash!

Can we smash more houses than last year?

Museum Closed-Christmas Day
2023-12-25 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Portsmouth Historical Society Closed 12/25
The historical society will be closed on Monday, December 25 in observation of Christmas Day. We will reopen the next day, Tuesday, December 26 at 10 a.m with both the 33rd Annual Gingerbread Contest and Exhibition and “Lost Neighborhoods” on display.

Gingerbread Tips, Trick, and History Tour
2023-12-22 17:00 - 18:00, 2023-12-15 17:00 - 18:00, 2023-12-08 17:00 - 18:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Join us for a walkthrough of our gingerbread exhibition

Join us as we share the secrets behind making the best Gingerbread Houses and point out little details you may have missed. We will also dive into some of the history behind some of the iconic Portsmouth buildings now immortalized in Gingerbread.
This is a free, drop-in event.

thank you to our sweet sponsors

Avery Insurance
Devine Miliment
Seacoast Lately
Bangor Savings Bank

Extended Hours ❆
2023-12-22 10:00 - 19:00, 2023-12-15 10:00 - 19:00, 2023-12-08 10:00 - 19:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Open until 7 p.m. for extended gingerbread viewing!

Exhibition on display Nov. 24–Dec. 30, 2023, 10:00 am–5:00 pmFree for all!

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.” We want to see gingerbread incarnations of the great people, places, and events of yesterday and today, or your favorite vision of futuristic Portsmouth! Let your imagination run wild!

Learn More about the Gingerbread Exhibtion

thank you to our sweet sponsors

Avery InsuranceSeacoast LatelyBangor Savings Bank

Canceled Portsmouth on Tap: The Portsmouth Brewery
2023-12-14 17:00 - 19:00 | The Portsmouth Brewery, 56 Market St, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
This event has been canceled due to the extensive repairs the brewery has been conducting since June.
Visit their website for information about when they will reopen.

Salty & Malty since 1623
When: Thursday, November 13, 5 – 7 pm
Where: The Portsmouth Brewery, 56 Market St, Portsmouth, NH
What: drink a limited-edition beer inspired by the Portsmouth ride of Paul Revere and participate in historical trivia and games

This beer is inspired by:

the Portsmouth Fires
A trio of 19th-century fires swept through downtown Portsmouth radically changing the cityscape. The Brick Act of 1814 was the direct response to these disastrous fires, attempting to limit the popularity of highly flammable wooden structures. Many of the downtown buildings you know today were built while the brick acts were in place.

Ugly Sweater Cookie Swap
2023-12-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Put on your ugliest holiday sweater and bring a batch of your favorite cookies for this festive event!

Register for our Ugly Sweater Cookie Swap!

Lost Neighborhoods: Exhibiting Artists Chat
2023-12-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
“Lost Neighborhoods” Evening Artists Chat
December 8, 5:00–7:00 pm
Join the Abstract Four and learn what inspired them to create their show “Lost Neighborhoods.” Discuss how romantic nostalgia, old Portsmouth folk stories, city history, and generational housing issues are expressed through the art work in this exhibition. This event is a discussion that will inspire us all to think about what our Lost Neighborhoods mean to us. Come to share your stories and enjoy the artwork.

Learn more about the artists

This exhibition is a part of the Portsmouth NH 400 celebrations.

Extended Hours ❆
2023-12-02 10:00 - 21:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Open until 9 p.m. for extended gingerbread viewing!

Exhibition on display Nov. 24–Dec. 30, 2023, 10:00 am–5:00 pmFree for all!

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.” We want to see gingerbread incarnations of the great people, places, and events of yesterday and today, or your favorite vision of futuristic Portsmouth! Let your imagination run wild!

Learn More about the Gingerbread Exhibtion

thank you to our sweet sponsors

Avery Insurance
Devine Millimet
Seacoast Lately
Bangor Savings Bank

Vintage Christmas Kickoff Party
2023-12-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Join us for the official start to Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth!

We’ll be announcing the community judges’ winners for the Gingerbread House Contest and gearing up for Saturday’s parade and tree lighting!
Free admission for all.

Vintage Chistmas in Portsmouth is brought to you in partnership with

Sip n' Shop
2023-11-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
RSVP to our members-only Sip n’ Shop event

RSVP to our annual Sip n' Shop!

Opening Reception "Lost Neighborhoods"
2023-11-26 15:00 - 17:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
Celebrate the opening of “Lost Neighborhoods”
November 26, 3:00–5:00 pm
Join the Abstract 4 in our galleries for the opening reception of “Lost Neighborhoods!” Barbara Adams, Peter Cady, Tom Glover, and Dustan Knight will be here to celebrate the neighborhoods of Portsmouth that used to be through their talents with paints and brushes.

Learn more about the artists

This exhibition is a part of the Portsmouth NH 400 celebrations.

"Lost Neighborhoods" Exhibition Opens
2023-11-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
“Lost Neighborhoods”
November 24 – December 30
Barbara Stevens Adams, Peter Cady, Tom Glover, and Dustan Knight team up to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Portsmouth by remembering what used to be. Through their paints and brushes, these four talented artists depict the lost neighborhoods of our beloved city such as the North End, old Puddle Dock, the West End and others. Works will be on display and available for sale from November 24 through December 30 in the balcony gallery at Portsmouth Historical Society.

Gingerbread Exhibition Opens
2023-11-24 | Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 01801, United States
IT’S THE SWEETEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

Exhibition on display Nov. 24–Dec. 30, 2023, 10:00 am–5:00 pmOpen until 7:00 pm on Fridays in DecemberFree for all!

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.” We want to see gingerbread incarnations of the great people, places, and events of yesterday and today, or your favorite vision of futuristic Portsmouth! Let your imagination run wild!

Learn More about the Gingerbread Exhibtion
