Join us at our Spring Auction, May 7

Support hands-on history and our 3rd grade education program

April 1 – November 2

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

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.”

View the artworks

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

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Spring Auction

Join us on May 7 for a night of hands-on history.
Light refreshments & beverages provided.
Live and silent auction items.

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Support Portsmouth Historical Society

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Betty & Barney

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

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Spring Auction for Hands on History

Thursday, May 7, 2026
5:30–7:30 pm

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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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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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Annual Meeting (Member Event)

May 19, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Welcome Center & Museum Shop Programs

Museum members are invited to join us for the presentation of our 2025 Annual Report, a season preview, exhibition tours, and voting on bylaw changes and Board officers.

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Extended Historic Portsmouth Walking Tour. Two hours, covering all the highlights of the regular tour and more. Taking place on: Tour Dates: May 20 & 27 June 17 & 24 July 15 & 22 August 19 & 26 September 16 & 23 October 21 & 28

Historic Portsmouth Extended Walking Tour

May 20, 2026 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Walking Tours

Stretch your legs on our longest walking tour! This tour includes all the highlights of the Historic Portsmouth tour and gets visitors down to Prescott Park.

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Exterior John Paul Jones House in Portsmouth. Yellow Georgian home.

John Paul Jones House Opening Day

May 21, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at John Paul Jones House by Portsmouth Historical Society | John Paul Jones Programs

Join us on Thursday, May 21 as we open the John Paul Jones House for the 2026 season. Open Thursday-Monday, 10am–4pm. View the special exhibition "Revolutionary Portsmouth" to learn about life during the American Revolution.

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