10/14/2026
A close encounter w/UFO legends Barney, Betty Hill—it's a one-time event that’s sure to be out of this world.
The program—a look at the alien abduction legend of Portsmouth residents Betty and Barney Hill—takes place on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth, N.H. The program is presented in partnership with the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, and is the latest installment in the 'Exploring Aviation' series.
On the night of Sept. 19, 1961, Betty and Barney Hill were driving through New Hampshire’s White Mountains on their way back to Portsmouth from their honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls and Montreal. On Route 3, near Franconia, they saw a light in the sky. Their world, and ours, was never the same again.
The Hills’ ensuing story of alien abduction changed lives and helped shape the cultural imagination of a generation, especially influencing perception around outer space and space travel. The Hills’ narrative of their abduction and descriptions of their captors influenced how aliens were portrayed in science fiction for decades.
For the Oct. 15 presentation, doors to the Portsmouth Historical Society will open at 6:30 p.m. to allow visitors time to peruse an ongoing exhibit of artwork inspired by the Hills’ experience. Tickets are $10 per person; Aviation Museum members admitted free. All attendees are asked to register online using the QR code in the images below or the link in the comments.
