The third-floor Shaw Research Library and Randall Gallery are open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday. For elevator access, please call (603) 431-2538.
Check our calendar of events for any Saturday scheduled tours of the Sawtelle Reading Room and 1805 Building.
UPCOMING EVENT
1805 Building Tour
HOURS
Shaw Research Library &
Randall Gallery
Tuesday through Saturday
1 to 4 p.m.
Reading Room Tours
Some Saturdays
Volunteer Dependent
1 to 4 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.
March 2025: Women’s History Month
By Research Librarian Jessica McClain In February of 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as the first national observance of Women’s History Week with the following statement: From the first settlers who came...
The Lunch Hour: Portsmouth, 1800 to 1950
Samuel Johnson in his 1755 dictionary defined the word lunch: “as much food as a hand can hold,” in other words a snack. The main meal of the day, dinner, was a hot meal eaten at home with family and apprentices or field hands, at approximately 2pm. For travelers...
February 2025: Black History Month
By Research Librarian Jessica McClain Portsmouth’s Black history begins over 350 years ago in 1645—dating back almost as far as the area’s European history. Though many of their early stories involve enslavement and marginalization, Portsmouth’s Black residents built...