Portsmouth Athenæum

A non-profit membership library, gallery, and museum, incorporated in 1817 and located in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Armsden Photographic Project

In 2018, the Athenaeum received the photographic collection of prolific photographer Douglas J. Armsden (1918-2009). This collection of mainly mid-20th century images of Portsmouth will nearly double the Athenaeum’s entire photograph collection. Find out how you can help preserve this important collection.

Learn More!

The Shaw Research Library & Randall Gallery are open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday. Masks are required during your visit.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 11, 2022

  • Reading Room Tour

    August 11, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    Tour the historic first-floor Reading Room. Donations suggested.

HOURS

 

Shaw Research Library &

Randall Gallery

 

Tuesday through Saturday

 

1 to 4 p.m.

EXPLORE THE ARCHIVES

The Athenæum houses an outstanding collection of documents and artifacts relating to local history. It also preserves what is undoubtedly the finest collection in the state of materials relating to the history of New Hampshire’s only major seaport.

Search Catalog
Manuscript Finding Aids
Portsmouth Athenaeum Chamber Music 2022

Portsmouth Athenaeum Chamber Music 2022

The Portsmouth Athenaeum presents this annual series of chamber music concerts held in historic properties around Portsmouth. This year, the public is invited to attend four chamber concerts: Noree Chamber Soloists, Rasa String Quartet, Music Haven String Quartet, and ASMI Trio.

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We, the Proprietors of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, associate to promote learning and advance useful knowledge among our constituents and the wider community by facilitating convivial interchange and intellectual discourse; maintaining our historic buildings and library; and collecting and preserving materials relevant to the history and culture of Portsmouth and the Piscataqua Region.