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Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

Portsmouth Historical Society

Name: Portsmouth Historical Society
Address: 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, US
Telephone: (603) 436-8433
Price range: $

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Portsmouth Historical Society

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History. Arts. Culture. www.portsmouthhistory.org
www.portsmouthhistoryshop.org/ For further information please call, email, or visit our website.

Portsmouth Historical Society (PHS), founded in 1917, is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to introducing, interpreting and stimulating the study of Portsmouth history and to maintaining collections of historical artifacts and documents. PHS operates two facilities: the John Paul Jones House & Garden, open Memorial Day through Columbus Day; and the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center, open spring through December 23 daily from 9:30am-5pm.

10/20/2026

History is hitting the road! Introducing our Revolutionary Portsmouth Traveling Trunk, which brings hands-on, experiential learning to classrooms across the country, introducing students to important colonial figures in Portsmouth’s history and giving them a firsthand look into what life was like in 18th-century New Hampshire.

Locally, the trunk can travel to schools alongside one of our educators for a guided, in-person experience. But its reach doesn’t stop there: schools anywhere in the country can also book the trunk on its own, complete with lesson plans, activities, and guided artifact explorations, bringing a piece of Revolutionary Portsmouth directly into US classrooms far and wide.

Best of all, the trunk is FREE! Thank you to the HDR Foundation for funding its initial development, and to our friends at St. Mary's Bank for ensuring it ships free during the 2026-2027 school year.

Share this with an educator or librarian that you think might be interested!
To book the Traveling Trunk, email [email protected]

10/18/2026

What happens when the unknown comes knocking?

This thought-provoking piece by artist Krysten Marche asks where we turn for comfort when faced with extraterrestrial terror: religion, tradition, science, or even luck? Could an alien threat bring humanity together, or are we more willing to accept visitors from Zeta Reticuli than our fellow humans here on Earth?

A fascinating exploration of fear, belief, and what it means to be human.

See this piece and other works inspired by the lives and experiences of Betty and Barney Hill in our joint exhibition with New Hampshire Art Association, "Contemporary Currents." Open daily, 10am-5pm.

10/17/2026

One of the best parts of researching "Betty & Barney" was looking at the evolution of the depiction of aliens in film. This meant looking at the history of American science fiction cinema--the good, the bad, and the bonkers. Check out the "Betty & Barney" page on our website for a non-exhaustive list of films that meet the following criteria:

American (with a few important exceptions)
takes place in the current day or near future
features aliens on Earth, the moon, or Mars.

The curator did *not* watch all of these. But she did watch many. The video in the gallery features a selection of these (no more than one of these films per year) and shows how, as time goes on, aliens are increasingly depicted as the Hills described them.

10/16/2026

Our Cemetery Tours have been a spook-tacular addition to the fall walking tour season at the Portsmouth Historical Society, and our guides have been having a wickedly good time exploring Portsmouth’s past with guests!

Join us for a fascinating 90-minute walk through two of the city’s historic burying grounds. Discover the stories of Portsmouth’s most prominent families at North Cemetery, or admire the intricate, beautifully carved headstones at Point of Graves, the oldest burying ground in the city and home to some remarkable examples of New England gravestone art.

These special tours are only available in October, so don’t miss your chance to uncover the stories, secrets, and history resting beneath your feet!

NORTH CEMETERY
Thursdays, 4:00–5:30 PM
Saturdays, 2:00–3:30 PM

POINT OF GRAVES
Fridays and Saturdays, 4:00–5:30 PM

Tickets are available on our website! Grab yours today and join us for a walk through Portsmouth’s past… if you dare!

10/14/2026

Office space for rent in historic downtown Portsmouth! This 500-square-foot second-floor office suite is located in the carriage house at the John Paul Jones House. The space includes a private office, a shared office or meeting area, a full bathroom, and a kitchenette.

Share this with someone who is looking for office space. Available for lease to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations only.
Email [email protected] to schedule a viewing.

10/13/2026

There’s still time to explore the historic John Paul Jones House before its season comes to a close! Wander the house at your own pace with a self-guided tour, complete with an audio tour accompaniment, or book a private tour led by our knowledgeable guides.

Open through October 31, it’s the perfect opportunity to pair a little local history with a beautiful fall day in Portsmouth. Enjoy the crisp autumn air, take in the colorful foliage, and uncover the stories behind one of Portsmouth’s historic landmarks.

Don’t miss your chance to visit before we close the house for the season. We hope to see you soon!

10/12/2026

We look forward to hosting Anne Jennison as she presents "People of the First Light Traditional Northeast Woodlands Native American Storytelling" on November 8, 1–2pm at the historical society. Be immersed in an exploration of the traditional knowledge and values of the Wabanaki Peoples as revealed in their stories. Anne will share several traditional Wabanaki stories, interspersed with thoughts about Wabanaki history and culture ways. There will be an opportunity for questions and discussion afterwards.

This is a free event, but registration is appreciated. Use the event link above to RSVP.
Thank you to the Brewster Family, whose generous support allows us to explore and share the stories of Portsmouth's past with our community.

10/11/2026

Fantastic discussions we had with homeowners about the past residents of their homes over the past month included:
- How a single woman in the 1890s supported herself through dressmaking and built a two-family home that gave her regular rent payments
-Was the house on Round Island ever a brothel?
-How the Parrott family (yes, Parrott Lot is named after them) supported the single women of the family as part of their miniature compound off Middle St.

Enter the exciting world of house history research and celebrate your house’s past with a commemorative plaque! Visit our website>About>Advocates to get started.

10/10/2026

Take a glimpse into the city’s past with this rare landscape by Gertrude Fiske, a celebrated Boston School painter, which is a prominent featured object in this year's Adopt an Artifact collection.

Capturing the south end of Portsmouth in the 1920s, Fiske’s painting features Point of Graves cemetery, the Sheafe warehouse in its original location, and the striking red gasometers that once stood in this gritty corner of the city.

Beyond its artistic beauty, this piece tells a bigger story about Portsmouth itself. Some landmarks remain, others have disappeared, and the city continues to evolve. More than just a snapshot of the past, this painting invites us to reflect on how much has changed, and what has endured.

Learn more about the objects in Adopt an Artifact on our website.

📷 Portsmouth Burying Ground, ca. 1925
Gertrude Fiske (1879–1961)
Oil on canvas
Gift in memory of Harold B. Willis, Jr.

10/09/2026

Registration is OPEN for our 36th annual Gingerbread House competition! This year's theme, "UFO's: Unidentified Frosted Objects", is pulling inspiration from our Betty and Barney Hill exhibition (on display through November 1).

It's free to enter, and we welcome bakers of all ages and abilities!

Visit our website for information and to register. https://portsmouthhistory.org/

Address

10 Middle Street
Portsmouth, NH
03801

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

(603) 436-8433

Website

http://www.PortsmouthHistory.org/

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