Betty & Barney

April 1 – November 2

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

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

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Support Portsmouth Historical Society

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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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Young Artist Contest

We invite our young visitors to explore their creativity with our third annual Young Artists Contest!
Accepting both writing and visual art.
For young artists ages 7-18.

Submit by May 31

Support Portsmouth Historical Society

Donate Today

Betty & Barney

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

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Open May 21–October 31

Young Artist Contest

Open to young artists ages 7-18.
Both visual and written submissions are welcome.
Free to participate.

Submit by May 31

John Paul Jones House

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Historical Walking Tours

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Visit Us

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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In Search of Private Yankee Doodle Friday, May 29, 2026, 6-7 PM at Strawbery Banke Museum

Revolutionary Portsmouth Lecture Series “In Search of Private Yankee Doodle” at Strawbery Banke

May 29, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Strawbery Banke by Portsmouth Historical Society

Dr. Philip Mead explores the lived experiences of enlisted soldiers in the American Revolution through the writings and material world of Joseph Plumb Martin.

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Revolutionary Portsmouth Curator Tour. Friday, June 5 at 12 & 5:30 pm. Free. No registration required

Curator Tour “Revolutionary Portsmouth”

June 5, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at John Paul Jones House by Portsmouth Historical Society | John Paul Jones Programs

Join our Curator for a tour through this exhibition examining the choices of everyday citizens in Portsmouth leading up to and during the American Revolution.

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Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour

June 5, 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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Contact Us

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