603-431-2538 research@portsmouthathenaeum.org
  • Donate
  • Athenaeum News
  • Resources
  • Shop
  • Newsletter
Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Exhibits
  • Events
  • Membership
  • Collections
    • Library
    • Art and Artifacts
    • Manuscripts
    • Photographs
  • Social Feed
  • Search Catalog
Select Page

high_street

Dec 19, 2019

Recent News

  • Portsmouth Athenaeum’s 2022 Lecture Series
  • ICYMI the Athenaeum’s Spring Newsletter 2022
  • Keeper’s Report 2021
  • Jane C. Nylander, Author of “The Best Ever! Parades in New England, 1788-1940”
  • Meredith Hall, Author of Beneficence

Events Calendar

May 2022

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  • Reading Room Tour

    Reading Room Tour

    May 7, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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

     

•
8
9
10
11
12
  • Reading Room Tour

    Reading Room Tour

    May 12, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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

     

  • How the 20th Century reshaped the World: Part 1, 1900-1950

    How the 20th Century reshaped the World: Part 1, 1900-1950

    May 12, 2022 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
    Portsmouth Athenaeum, 9 Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

    Proprietor Fred Schubert presents a discussion on developments in science and technology and how it altered the character of life in both peace and war. This free talk will take place in the third-floor Shaw Research Library in the Athenaeum. Masks required. 

    Seated is limited. To register, email info@portsmouthathenaeum.org or call 603-431-2538. 

     

• •
13
14
15
16
17
18
  • 2022 Lecture Series: A Portsmouth Overview with David Maloney

    2022 Lecture Series: A Portsmouth Overview with David Maloney

    May 18, 2022 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
    Portsmouth Athenaeum, 9 Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

    Our series begins on May 18thwith A Portsmouth Overview by David Maloney. Mr. Maloney is a long-time seacoast resident who has traveled extensively to historical sites around the world from the Great Wall of China to the Egyptian pyramids. His particular area of interest is Early American history, especially that of New England and its people. He has been a guide at the American Independence Museum, lectured on Portsmouth area history, published a walking guide of historic Portsmouth and operated driving tours of Portsmouth and the surrounding area.

    From the late 1600s, until the early1800s, Portsmouth was a thriving seaport with trade in fish, lumber and shipbuilding generating considerable wealth. Portsmouth was also the capital of the Royal Colony of New Hampshire from 1679 until the early years of the revolution.  Many Portsmouth citizens participated in the revolution and made important contributions to the founding of the country. Starting in the early 1800s, the economy started to decline due to fires, trade embargos and commercial development moving upriver.  By the early 1900s, Portsmouth had become a gritty industrial city with the waterfront in decay and many once-stately homes converted to low-cost rental housing and candidates for demolition. This threat of destruction of the city’s neighborhoods and historical identity motivated residents to create rehabilitation projects that have made Portsmouth a cultural and artistic center as well as a popular destination for visitors from around the world.

    The program begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Shaw Research Library. Space is limited, and reservations are required by calling (603) 431-2538. If unable to keep a reservation, please call again to release the seat for someone else. Reserved seats are honored until five minutes before a program begins.

    The public is welcome to attend the series by becoming a Friend of the Athenaeum for $25 or may attend a single program for $10.

     

•
19
20
21
  • Reading Room Tour

    Reading Room Tour

    May 21, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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

     

•
22
23
  • How We Can Build the Athenaeum of the Future

    How We Can Build the Athenaeum of the Future

    May 23, 2022 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm


    Join Executive Director and Keeper Tom Hardiman for the discussion “How We Can Build the Athenaeum of the Future,” which will be available in two sessions, Monday, May 23rd or Thursday, May 26th at 5 p.m. in the John R. Shaw Research Library and via Zoom.

    Tom will give an informal overview of the many unexpected challenges that the Athenaeum has faced in recent years and how we are addressing those challenges. He will also show options and opportunities for us to build on our mission and envision an Athenaeum that will enhance our service to our members and the wider community for generations to come.

    To participate, bring your questions and your best ideas for progress and come to the library on either day or request a Zoom link by emailing info@portsmouthathenaeum.org. This is certain to be just one of a series of discussions about what the Athenaeum might look like in 5, 15, or 25 years.

    With limited in-person seating, please call 603-431-2538 to reserve your spot.

     

•
24
25
26
  • Reading Room Tour

    Reading Room Tour

    May 26, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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

     

  • How We Can Build the Athenaeum of the Future

    How We Can Build the Athenaeum of the Future

    May 26, 2022 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm


    Join Executive Director and Keeper Tom Hardiman for the discussion “How We Can Build the Athenaeum of the Future,” which will be available in two sessions, Monday, May 23rd or Thursday, May 26th at 5 p.m. in the John R. Shaw Research Library and via Zoom.

    Tom will give an informal overview of the many unexpected challenges that the Athenaeum has faced in recent years and how we are addressing those challenges. He will also show options and opportunities for us to build on our mission and envision an Athenaeum that will enhance our service to our members and the wider community for generations to come.

    To participate, bring your questions and your best ideas for progress and come to the library on either day or request a Zoom link by emailing info@portsmouthathenaeum.org. This is certain to be just one of a series of discussions about what the Athenaeum might look like in 5, 15, or 25 years.

    With limited in-person seating, please call 603-431-2538 to reserve your spot.

     

• •
27
28
29
30
31

Search Website

E-News Signup
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow

HOURS

Shaw Research Library
Tuesdays – Saturdays
1 to 4 p.m.
and by appointment

 

Randall Gallery
Tuesdays – Saturdays
1 to 4 p.m.
Latest Exhibit

 

Reading Room

First & Third Saturdays
Second & Fourth Thursdays
1 to 2 p.m.
(volunteer-dependent)

SUPPORT US

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.

 




FIND US

Located at 6-9 Market Square, Portsmouth, NH.
(603) 431-2538

 

Public entrance shared with Ireland on the Square. Research Library and Gallery located on third floor.  Please call ahead for elevator access.

 

MAILING ADDRESS:
Portsmouth Athenaeum
P.O. Box 366
Portsmouth, NH 03802
Contact Us

© 2005- Portsmouth Athenaeum. All Rights Reserved.