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

Walking in the Footsteps of a Patriot

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Jun 17, 2025 | Announcements, Exhibits

By Sherry Wood Soon after George Washington was named commander of the Continental Army in 1775, Portsmouth’s Jonathan Mitchel Sewall wrote the words to a song that would be sung in taverns and on battlegrounds during the Revolutionary War. Sewall, the subject...

The Lunch Hour: Portsmouth, 1800 to 1950

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Mar 1, 2025 | Announcements, Exhibits

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...

George S. Wasson, Artist & Author of Kittery Point

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Jul 26, 2022 | Announcements, Exhibits

The works of noted maritime artist and writer George S. Wasson (1855-1932) of Kittery Point will be exhibited in the Randall Gallery beginning Aug. 5. The exhibit is being put together by a group of admirers of Wasson, including Proprietors Wendy Lull and Lauren...

Blooming in the Randall Gallery: “The Georgian Garden in Print and in Portsmouth”

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Jul 9, 2021 | Announcements, Exhibits

On July 16, the latest Portsmouth Athenaeum exhibit “The Georgian Garden in Print and in Portsmouth” opens, focusing on Europe’s Georgian period of garden design, its most famous gardener designers, the books that disseminated their designs, and the Portsmouth gardens...

“By the Bottle or the Barrel” Exhibit Talks

by Portsmouth Athenaeum | Aug 16, 2019 | Announcements, Events, Exhibits

Saturday, Aug. 17, 201911 a.m.Randall Gallery Sandra Rux, co-curator of the exhibit By the Bottle or the Barrel: 400 Years of Brewing in Portsmouth, will give a gallery talk.  UPCOMING LECTURES: Thursday, Sept. 5, 20197 p.m.Join both Tad Baker, professor of history at...
« Older Entries

Recent News

  • February 2026: National Bird Feeding Month
  • January 2026: National Hot Tea Month
  • December 2025: National Write a Friend Month
  • November Books
  • November 2025: DINOVEMBER

Events Calendar

Today
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5:30 PM - Franklin Club
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5:30 PM - Franklin Club
5
6
5:00 PM - Opening Reception for "New Hampshire Women Trailblazers"
7
Franklin Club
Franklin Club
February 4, 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
Franklin Club
Franklin Club
March 4, 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
Opening Reception for "New Hampshire Women Trailblazers"
Opening Reception for "New Hampshire Women Trailblazers"
March 6, 2026    
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Portsmouth Athenaeum
  • Exhibit Events
Exhibits, NH Women Trailblazers, Randall Gallery
The New Hampshire Women Trailblazers exhibit is a tribute to NH women who challenged social, economic, and political barriers. The exhibit will run from Friday, [...]
More Info
Events on February 4, 2026
Franklin Club
Franklin Club
4 Feb 26
Portsmouth
Events on March 4, 2026
Franklin Club
Franklin Club
4 Mar 26
Portsmouth
Events on March 6, 2026
Opening Reception for "New Hampshire Women Trailblazers"
Opening Reception for "New Hampshire Women Trailblazers"
6 Mar 26
Portsmouth

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

 

Sawtelle Reading Room

Some Saturdays
1 to 4 p.m.
Calendar of Events
(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.