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Libraries
Museums
Visitors Centers
"Discover Portsmouth" Center at 10 Middle Street, offering cultural, historical, and theatrical information about dozens of local attractions, an introductory movie on Portsmouth, and several art exhibits seasonally from Memorial Day to Oct. 31 daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Contact the Historical Society at (603) 436-8433 or go to www.portsmouthhistory.org for directions.
For all other information re PHS contact Sandra Rux, Collections Manager 436-8420
or Stephanie Seacord, Leading Edge (marketing and logo) @ 603-772-1835 or sseacord@lemd.com
The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce operates year-round visitor center at 500 Market Street and a seasonal visitors booth in Market Square. Contact the Greater Portmouth Chamber of Commerce at(603) 436-3988, ext. 13. or http://www.portsmouthchamber.org for directions.
Libraries
Portsmouth Athenaeum was established in Portsmouth's Market Square in 1817. The Portsmouth Athenaeum is a nonprofit membership library with limited access and exhibits for the public. In the addition to the downstairs reading room, the athenaeum includes the Randall Gallery with ongoing exhibits free to visitors. Fully accessible to an organization of over 300 proprietors, the Athenaeum contains a superb collection of Portsmouth area historical archives and artifacts. Researchers should call for information about hours and access. Copley and Randall Rooms: Tue, Thu, 1 - 4pm, Sat, 10am - 4pm. 9 Market Square Portsmouth, NH 03801. (603) 431-2538.
Portsmouth Public Library "A world of information and entertainment awaits you with a Portsmouth Public Library card". Located at 8 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, Phone: 603.427.1540 Fax: 603.433.0981. http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/
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Museums
The Children's Museum of New Hampshire is an award-winning, hands-on arts and sciences museum for children of all ages. It offers 19 engaging exhibits, an art gallery, daily creative activity, performances, and other special events throughout the year. For more information, call 603-742-2002 or e-mail questions@childrens-museum.org. www.childrens-museum.org.
The John Paul Jones House is operated by the Portsmouth Historical Society and is located on the corner of Middle and State Streets and was a one-time boarding house. The spacious rooms are filled with 18th century furniture, cookware, and accessories. Open June-October. 603-436-8420. www.portsmouthhistory.org
Governor John Langdon House - Merchant, shipbuilder, Revolutionary patriot, and New Hampshire Governor, John Langdon built this house while serving in the state senate. The house emulates Langdon's status as Portsmouth's leading resident and was praised by President George Washington, who dined here in 1789. 143 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, 603-436-3205, open June-October, Friday through Sunday, www.historicnewengland.org.
The Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden is an historic house museum complex owned and operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Hampshire (NSCDA-NH), incorporated in 1895, and has been open to the public since 1912. The complex includes three historic structures: the main house, a counting house, and a combined warehouse/shop/carriage barn known as the coach, as well as a one-acre colonial revival garden, and the historic waterfront opposite the main house. A member of the Portsmouth Historic House Associates, the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, and the Portsmouth Harbour Trail, the museum's purpose is to research, interpret, and publish more than 150 years of national, state, and local history through the lives and possessions of resident Moffatts, Whipples, Ladds, and their enslaved and free servants. The Moffatt-Ladd House was home to Signer of the Declaration of Independence William Whipple and his wife Katharine Moffatt Whipple throughout the Revolution, and is renowned as one of the finest Georgian houses in America. A National Historic Landmark, the museum is open to the public seven days a week from mid June through mid October, and offers school tours free of charge from April through mid November. www.moffattladd.org
Rundlet-May House - The merchant James Rundlet acquired his wealth in the textile trade. To proclaim his success, he built his mansion in 1807 on a terraced rise above the street and filled it with the finest furnishings. The wallpapers were imported from England and furniture was purchased from local cabinetmakers, whose work was noted for its fine craftsmanship and striking use of veneer. The house was equipped with the latest technologies of the day. Rundlet-May House, 364 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, 603-436-3205, www.historicnewengland.org.
Connect with the Past at Strawbery Banke Museum. Through restored furnished houses, exhibits, historic landscapes and gardens, and costumed role players, Strawbery Banke interprets the living history of generations who settled in Portsmouth from the late 17th century to the mid-20th century. Closed January. Call 603-433-1100 or visit www.strawberybanke.org for hours, educational events, and walking tours.
Built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the USS Albacore served the United States Navy as an experimental vessel. Considered a laboratory afloat as well as the fastest submarine in its time, the Albacore was developed into the prototype submarine and modeled throughout the world. Visit Albacore Park, 600 Market Street, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, 603-436-3680. http://www.ussalbacore.org/html/welcome_aboard.html
Built in 1716, the Warner House is a fine example of an early 18th century urban brick residence and was one of the first houses to be designated as a Registered National Historic Landmark. Visitors will find authentic Portsmouth furniture and the oldest colonial murals in the Unites States. www.warnerhouse.org, 603-436-5909.
The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion is a National Historic Landmark overlooking Little Harbor. It was home to New Hampshire's first royal governor, Benning Wentworth, from 1752 to 1770. The Coolidge family, artists and art patrons, bought the mansion in 1886 and in 1954 donated it to the state of New Hampshire. Highlights include original flocked wallpaper, a French sauce kitchen, and some of the oldest lilacs in North America. The Visitor Center hosts the Coolidge Center for the Arts. Wentworth-Coolidge Commission, 603-436-6607, wcc@wcmansion.org, www.nhstateparks.org/ParksPages/WentworthCoolidge/WentCoolHom.
The Wentworth-Gardner House is located on Portsmouth's historic waterfront. The Georgian house known for its exquisite carving and unusual kitchen. 603-436-4406.
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