Portsmouth Historical Society

09/04/2026

Portsmouth 250th Lecture Series
Thursday, September 17th| 6:30 PM
Portsmouth Historical Society

Prudence Island, January 12-13, 1776. Included will be an expanded directory of the men who fought in the battle, as well as undocumented stories about what actually happened during those two days on the island. The 1776 engagement on Prudence Island offers a powerful early example of American resistance and resolve. When a British raiding party struck the island, the swift response of the Company of Portsmouth—joined by reinforcements—demonstrated the determination of local patriots at a critical moment in the opening months of the Revolution.

Presenter Laurie McDonough Greaney, Regent of the Battle of Rhode Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, will explore this little-known action. Greaney’s interest in local history began during her first summer after college, when she interned at the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission. An avid genealogist, she later earned two master’s degrees and taught science for more than 25 years. After purchasing a home on Prudence Island, she discovered she is descended from one of the island’s 17th-century settlers—sparking in-depth research into the men who fought in the Battle of Prudence Island.

In fall 2024, Greaney organized the Battle of Rhode Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, now nearly 60 members strong. The chapter is dedicated to education, historic preservation, and patriotism, honoring the men and women who fought for independence in this region—and commemorating the only battle of the American Revolution
fought in Rhode Island.

The lecture is free and open to the public although donations are welcome. The Portsmouth Historical Society is located at 870 East Main Road and is handicap accessible.

08/30/2026

🌟 Family Day at the Portsmouth Historical Society! 🌟

The weather cooperated beautifully for Family Day, sponsored by the Battle of Rhode Island Chapter of the DAR, at the Portsmouth Historical Society! Our visitors enjoyed fascinating displays by the Ladies of the Green and the Newport Historical Society, both of whom will be back tomorrow. The DAR also presented the intriguing story of Anna Strong and the Culper Code.

📣 Tomorrow is your LAST CHANCE to see the American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit!

Sunday, August 30 | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Theme: Forgotten Patriots

With freedom, liberty, and equality at stake, people of African descent made significant—and often unrecognized—contributions to the American fight for independence.

🎤 1:00 PM – Speaker Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes, Director, Center for Black History, Newport

🎶 3:00 PM – Members of the Navy Choristers performing a selection of patriotic songs

Don't miss this final opportunity to explore the traveling exhibit, enjoy the special programs, and visit the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum.

📍 Portsmouth Historical Society
Come discover the stories of the people who helped shape the American Revolution—and whose contributions deserve to be remembered.

08/25/2026

Still Time to Experience the DAR Traveling Exhibit!

There's still time to see the DAR Traveling Exhibit and take part in our upcoming scheduled events!

Over the weekend, visitors enjoyed the fascinating history featured in the exhibit panels and a wonderful lineup of programs. Guests heard from a National Park Ranger about Researching Revolutionary War Pension Files, experienced Voices of Butts Hill Fort as portrayed by the Portsmouth Community Theater, and enjoyed a living history demonstration by The Dirty Blue Shirts, who explored how women dressed during the Revolutionary era and the important role textiles played during the period.

We were also thrilled to welcome Susie Jerome, URI Textile Collections Manager, who brought along fascinating vintage pieces from the era and helped bring the history of textiles to life.

If you haven't visited yet, there's still time! Come explore the exhibit, learn something new, and take part in the remaining programs. We hope to see you there!

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08/21/2026

As a follow up to our Jane Lancaster, Ph.D. book talk, Life is Sweet, last month about the life of a Black/Narragansett women born in Portsmouth named Phebe Bowler, we are sharing this “Wow of the Day” post, “Spies & Lies,” which was published by the Preservation Society of Newport County this week about Ms. Bowler’s employers and her husband’s enslavers, Mr. & Mrs. Metcalf Bowler.

This famous portrait of Mrs. Bowler by John Singleton Copley is featured in the Preservation Society’s latest exhibit “Revolution Reimagined: Evolving Stories from Newport’s Past,” currently on display at Rosecliff mansion.

Mrs. Metcalf Bowler (née Anne Fairchild) was the wife of a Newport merchant who was a leader in Rhode Island's fight for independence. To protect his home, possessions and family from further attacks, Metcalf Bowler became a turncoat, providing British General Henry Clinton with information about Patriot troops in the area. Bowler’s treachery was not discovered until the 1920s, when his letters to Clinton were found among the general’s papers.

During the British occupation of Newport, Hessian soldiers ransacked and plundered the Bowlers’ estate in Portsmouth. The portrait of Anne may have been damaged in this attack; although the canvas was later restored on the front, it retained visible patches on its back.

John Singleton Copley (American, 1738-1815), portrait of Mrs. Metcalf Bowler (Anne Fairchild), c. 1758-1759. Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, Maine. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ellerton M. Jetté.

08/19/2026

If your mental picture of the American Revolution begins with George Washington crossing the Delaware and ends somewhere around the surrender at Yorktown, you’re going to want to take a closer look.

08/19/2026

Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR) Battle of Rhode Island Chapter opens it's Traveling Exhibit on Friday, August 20th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Portsmouth Historical Society. This free exhibit will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, Sunday, Aug. 23, Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30. It will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, and Friday, Aug. 28. The full schedule is in the article below.

If your mental picture of the American Revolution begins with George Washington crossing the Delaware and ends somewhere around the surrender at Yorktown, you’re going to want to take a closer look.

08/17/2026

08/15/2026

🎉 Just ONE WEEK until Portsmouth's Town-Wide 250th Celebration!

Gather your friends, family, and neighbors and join us on Saturday, August 22, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Glen Park for a day of fun, entertainment, and community spirit!

There will be something for everyone, including:
🎭 Children's Patriotic Theater performance
🎈 Live children's entertainment
🍦 Ice cream eating contest
🎨 Chalk art contest
🏰 Bounce house
🐕 Flying High Dogs demonstration
🎶 Live music by Portsmouth's own Stonebridge Band
🌮 Food trucks and so much more!

Don't miss this exciting celebration of Portsmouth's 250th anniversary. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

📍 Glen Park
🗓️ Saturday, August 22
⏰ 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

See you there! 🇺🇸🎉

08/10/2026

🎉 Shout out to Clements Marketplace! ⛳

Their 34th Annual Golf Tournament was a tremendous success—and thanks to the generosity of everyone involved, donations were made to more than 20 local nonprofits, including the Portsmouth Historical Society. We are grateful for Clements Marketplace’s continued commitment to supporting our local community!

📅 Mark your calendar for next year’s tournament on July 9, 2027.

And remember to Shop Locally! 🛍️❤️

08/06/2026

Another memorable Portsmouth 250 event! Thank you to author Jane Lancaster for her fascinating presentation about the real people and history that inspired her novel, Liberty is Sweet.

The novel follows the story of Phebe Bowler, a Black/Narragansett woman born in Portsmouth, and her African-born husband, Arthur, as their remarkable journey takes them from Portsmouth to Nova Scotia and ultimately to Sierra Leone. Jane shared the historical research behind their story and brought these extraordinary lives to light.

If you weren't able to attend—or didn't have a chance to purchase a copy at the talk—you can find Liberty is Sweet at Barnes & Noble.

To watch, go to the PHS YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os7FMd6UkQw