Contemporary Currents

April 1 – November 14

A joint exhibition with NHAA featuring local artists depicting close encounters, fear of the unknown, civil rights, or feeling “other.”

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Democracy or monarchy? Patriot or a Loyalist? Learn how Portsmouth citizens made and lived with these difficult choices.

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Betty & Barney

Alien Abductees. Civil Rights Champions. Pop-Culture Phenomena.

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John Paul Jones House

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Historical Walking Tours

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Upcoming Events

2026 Young Artists Contest

April 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026 at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Exhibitions Programs

We invite our young visitors to explore their creativity! Visit our exhibitions, find a piece that inspires you, and create your own piece of writing or visual art.

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Judges Award Ceremony for Contemporary Currentts on Friday, April 24 at 5:30 pm. Free and open to all

“Contemporary Currents” Judges’ Award Ceremony

April 24, 2026 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Exhibitions Programs

Join Portsmouth Historical Society and the New Hampshire Art Association for the opening reception of Contemporary Currents on Friday, April 24, from 5:30-7 pm.

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Image of downtown Portsmouth at the intersection of Market Square. The North Church steeple rises uup into the blue sky at left, a person is walking across the road and three story brick buildings line the right side of the street. Text reads "Daily Walking Tours"

Historic Portsmouth Walking Tours (May-Oct)

May 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026 at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

Learn why Portsmouth is the hub of the New Hampshire Seacoast on a 90-minute walking tour covering over 400 years of history.

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“Betty & Barney” Curator Tour

May 1, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Downstairs Exhibtion, Exhibitions Programs

Learn how Betty and Barney Hill were civil rights champions, pop culture phenomena, and alleged alien abductees on this tour of the exhibition.

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Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour

May 1, 2026 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

From a hub of British loyalty a series of events in the 1770s fanned the flames of independence and turned Portsmouth into a hotbed of Patriotism.

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Five children wave down at the photographer from the upstairs gallery over a white wooden balustrade.