Welcome to the
Portsmouth Historical Society
Founded in 1917 to save the John Paul Jones House from demolition the Society now operates the John Paul Jones House and adjacent Discover Portsmouth Center to preserve and explore Portsmouth history. Offering members and the public a wide range of programming, we invite you to visit us in person or online to learn more about the fascinating past of Portsmouth and the Piscataqua region. Learn More
Discover Portsmouth Center
This Portsmouth Historical Society pilot project has converted the former city library to a new “one stop” central gateway to the historical, cultural and artistic venues of greater Portsmouth and a new exhibition site displaying the art and history of the region.
John Paul Jones House
John Paul Jones, colonial America’s first sea warrior, was a tenant of the Widow Purcell in this house in 1781 while he supervised the building of the Navy’s ship America nearby. His house is now the museum of Portsmouth men, women and children, where their stories live.