Portsmouth Athenæum

A non-profit membership library, gallery, and archive, 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.

CLOSED TO PUBLIC FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK 11/23 to 11/26.  For research appointments, please email info@portsmouthathenaeum.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 8, 2022

  • Reading Room Tour

    December 8, 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.

 

&

 

Reading Room Tours

 
First & Third Saturdays
Second & Fourth Thursdays
 
1 to 2 p.m.
(Check our calendar.)

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

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.