Strawbery Banke Museum

09/01/2026

A really important look at the work happening at Strawbery Banke to protect the past while preparing for the future. 🌊 Listen to the latest episode of to learn more about how changing weather and rising seas are shaping historic preservation here in Portsmouth.

09/01/2026

A reminder that Candlelight Stroll tickets go on sale to Strawbery Banke members Tuesday, September 8! Members get first access to reserve tickets before the general public, plus 50% off. Not a member yet, or need to renew? Join or renew today to unlock these benefits and be ready when the member presale begins! StrawberyBanke.org/membership

08/28/2026

Calling all young readers (grades 1-5)! Strawbery Banke’s new book club, Girls Through Time, brings the experience of girls in the past to life. In six sessions, participants will explore a different story about a fictional girl growing up in a variety of historical times. Readers will cook a simple recipe inspired by the character’s time period, create a themed craft, and play a game connected to the history and daily life featured in the book. Discover how girls in the past lived, worked, and made a difference in this immersive club. Learn more and sign up, via StrawberyBanke.org/kids-book-club

08/27/2026

08/15/2026

While Mr. Goodwin is best known for his time as Governor of New Hampshire during the American Civil War and for his business acumen, he was also a charitable man who invested in many different philanthropic endeavors. One of these was the prevention of cruelty to animals - Mr. Goodwin was a founding member of the Portsmouth Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals in 1872, which, when incorporated in 1873, would become the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which still operates in Stratham, NH today.

08/14/2026

End-of-summer savings are here at the Strawbery Banke Museum Store! 🛍️

Now through August 23:
30% off for Museum members
20% off for the general public

Shop the sale at both the Visitors Center and Gookin House Museum Stores. In person only. Excludes food and beverage purchases.

08/10/2026

🎃 Ghosts on the Banke tickets are now on sale! Enjoy spooky-not-scary Halloween fun throughout the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood, with trick-or-treating, ghostly tales, games, music, and more. Early Bird tickets are $16 through September 7. Buy early to save and secure your preferred arrival time. Strawberybanke.org/ghosts

08/06/2026

New date & time! Join us at Portsmouth Historical Society on August 20th!

Attention, history lovers! We have a NEW DATE and LOCATION for Dr. Ward's lecture, part of our Revolutionary Portsmouth lecture series in partnership with Strawbery Banke Museum.

Join us as our curator, Dr. Gerald Ward, expounds upon the life, naval career, and problematic personal life of John Paul Jones, decorated Patriot and father of the American Navy.

📅 NEW DATE: Thursday, August 20 at 5:30
📍 NEW LOCATION: Portsmouth Historical Society - 10 Middle Street
🎟 Get your tickets now! https://portsmouthhistory.org/event/rev-portsmouth-john-paul-jones/

08/05/2026

A small but exciting update to the recently restored Penhallow-Cousins House: a new Newton Ave. sign! During excavations around the house, we recovered the original early 20th-century enameled street sign, which is now in the museum's Collection. The museum worked with Harbor Sign NH to recreate the original sign. They used multiple layers of auto paint to resemble the look of enamel!

The tidal inlet at the center of the Puddle Dock neighborhood filled in between 1896 and 1904, and a petition for a new street running from Washington Street to Marcy Street was approved in May 1903. The street was named Newton Avenue for the Newton family, who had owned a stable near what became the intersection of Scruton and Newton Avenue.

08/04/2026

Coming up on Friday, August 14!

Our annual Twilight Tour returns on Friday, August 14 from 4pm to 8pm  Eight historic sites will be open after hours with special tours and exhibitions. More details to come.