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.”

View the artworks

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

Contemporary Currents

April 1 through 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

John Paul Jones House

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Historical Walking Tours

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Visit Us

Upcoming Events

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)

July 1, 2026 - August 31, 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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Revolutionary Portsmouth Lecture Series: The Birth, Death, and Resurrection of John Paul Jones

August 20, 2026 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Exhibitions Programs, John Paul Jones Programs

Dr. Gerald Ward examines how John Paul Jones has been remembered and reinterpreted over time, tracing how narratives shaped his legacy across generations.

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Loyalist to Liberty Walking Tour

August 21, 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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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

August 26, 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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Full Moon Sound Bath

August 28, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Portsmouth Historical Society at 10 Middle Street by Portsmouth Historical Society | Exhibitions Programs

Join yoga and meditation practitioner, Chetana Parmar, for a transportive experience - a sound bath in our beautiful upstairs gallery.

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