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Christmas Holiday

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Dec 21, 2017 | Announcements, Events

Happy Holidays!! For the Christmas Holiday, the Portsmouth Athenaeum will be closed Monday, Christmas Day, December 25, 2017 and Tuesday, December 26, 2017.

Old English and the Language of Beowulf

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Dec 5, 2017 | Announcements, Events

Thursday December 7 5:30 p.m. in the Reading Room Professor Thomas Carnicelli returns with more history of the English tongue. He will speak on “Old English, the Language of Beowulf.” Reservations are requested, since space is limited. Call (603) 431-2538 for...

Great Bay Sailor Holiday Concert

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Nov 30, 2017 | Announcements, Events, Performance

Monday, December 11, 2017 in the Reading Room at 7 p.m. Great Bay Sailor:  The Yuletide Celebration Mark your calendar and plan to join us for a celebration of what we call the hidden sounds of the season.  The GBS Yuletide Repertoire is comprised of songs found in...

Portsmouth Holiday Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Nov 20, 2017 | Announcements, Events

Saturday, December 2 (Rain date: December 3) Tree lighting: 5:30pm • Parade: 6pm Experience this magical event in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Excitement builds as the community counts down to the lighting of the Portsmouth Christmas tree and the festive fun...

“Show of Shows” Opens December 1, 2017

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Nov 20, 2017 | Announcements, Events, Exhibits, Library

The newest exhibit “Show of Shows” celebrates 21 years of exhibitions in the Randall Gallery.  The opening reception is in the Randall Gallery beginning at 5 p.m.  

John M. Lewis discusses NH Public School Funding

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Nov 20, 2017 | Announcements, Events

Thursday, November 30, 2017 John M. Lewis will speak about NH public school funding in the context of considering the Claremont Litigation and like cases around the country.  This talk will deal with New Hampshire’s struggle to provide sufficient funding to its...
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Recent News

  • July 2026: The Red Light District
  • Exhibit Shines the Red Light on City’s Past
  • Portsmouth Athenæum Chamber Music 2026
  • Athenæum Interim Director
  • A Letter from Tom Hardiman, Keeper and Executive Director

Events Calendar

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5:30 PM - Franklin Club
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5:30 PM - 2026 Current Event Series presents "PFAS Contamination at Pease: A Community Perspective"
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5:00 PM - NH Gives: Athenaeum Building Facade Renovations
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5:30 PM - 2026 Lecture Series: "Gen. William Whipple: Seaman, Soldier, Statesman and Signer of the Declaration of Independence" with D. Allan Kerr
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1:30 PM - 1805 Building Tour
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5:30 PM - Franklin Club
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Franklin Club
Franklin Club
June 3, 2026    
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Franklin Club
Franklin Club, Sawtelle Reading Room
The Junto, also known as the Leather Apron Club, was a club for mutual improvement established in 1727 by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. The Leather [...]
More Info
2026 Current Event Series presents "PFAS Contamination at Pease: A Community Perspective"
2026 Current Event Series presents "PFAS Contamination at Pease: A Community Perspective"
June 4, 2026    
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Discussions
  • Lecture Series
2026 Current Event Series, Andrea Amico, Shaw Research Library
Andrea Amico is a nationally recognized PFAS advocate and co‑founder of the Testing for Pease community action group, where she has led efforts since 2014 [...]
More Info
NH Gives: Athenaeum Building Facade Renovations
NH Gives: Athenaeum Building Facade Renovations
June 9, 2026 - June 10, 2026    
5:00 pm
  • Community Event
  • Fundraiser
NH Gives 2026 will support phase one of a planned three-phase multi-year restoration for the Portsmouth Athenæum’s landmark historic buildings located at 9 and 6-8 [...]
More Info
2026 Lecture Series: "Gen. William Whipple: Seaman, Soldier, Statesman and Signer of the Declaration of Independence" with D. Allan Kerr
2026 Lecture Series: "Gen. William Whipple: Seaman, Soldier, Statesman and Signer of the Declaration of Independence" with D. Allan Kerr
June 17, 2026    
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Discussions
  • Lecture Series
2026 Lecture Series: The Spirit of 1776: Revolution Constitution Independence, D. Allen Kerr, Proprietors, Shaw Research Library
Founding Fathers such as Jefferson, Franklin, Adams and Hancock have become mythic figures over the past two-and-a-half centuries, and the entire nation will be celebrating [...]
More Info
1805 Building Tour
1805 Building Tour
June 20, 2026    
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Building Tours
1805 Building, Building Tours, Library Room, Sawtelle Reading Room
Come view our 200+ year-old historic membership library. This 45-minute tour takes you through spaces usually reserved for our members. The tour will start at [...]
More Info
Franklin Club
Franklin Club
July 1, 2026    
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Franklin Club
Franklin Club, Sawtelle Reading Room
The Junto, also known as the Leather Apron Club, was a club for mutual improvement established in 1727 by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. The Leather [...]
More Info
Events on June 3, 2026
Franklin Club
Franklin Club
3 Jun 26
Portsmouth
Events on June 4, 2026
2026 Current Event Series presents "PFAS Contamination at Pease: A Community Perspective"
2026 Current Event Series presents "PFAS Contamination at Pease: A Community Perspective"
4 Jun 26
Portsmouth
Events on June 9, 2026
NH Gives: Athenaeum Building Facade Renovations
NH Gives: Athenaeum Building Facade Renovations
9 Jun 26
Events on June 10, 2026
NH Gives: Athenaeum Building Facade Renovations
NH Gives: Athenaeum Building Facade Renovations
9 Jun 26
Events on June 17, 2026
2026 Lecture Series: "Gen. William Whipple: Seaman, Soldier, Statesman and Signer of the Declaration of Independence" with D. Allan Kerr
2026 Lecture Series: "Gen. William Whipple: Seaman, Soldier, Statesman and Signer of the Declaration of Independence" with D. Allan Kerr
17 Jun 26
Portsmouth
Events on June 20, 2026
1805 Building Tour
1805 Building Tour
20 Jun 26
Portsmouth
Events on July 1, 2026
Franklin Club
Franklin Club
1 Jul 26
Portsmouth

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The Athenæum today continues a long tradition of mutual improvement by maintaining a library of over 40,000 volumes and an archive of materials relating to local history. The Athenæum also sponsors exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and other educational and cultural programs.

 




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