PORTSMOUTH —
On July 15, 1920 the public opening of the John Paul Jones House was announced as a museum belonging to the Portsmouth Historical Society. While not the first historic house museum to open in Portsmouth, it was the first (and still the only) of Portsmouth sites to include the entire history of the city and the first to be run by local people. From the beginning, the focus was on collecting local objects and telling local stories. Ninety years later we have expanded into the Discover Portsmouth Center, and our focus on the history of Portsmouth and its many stories remains as strong as ever.
On Thursday, July 15, 2010 you can tour the John Paul Jones House, located at 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, for the same amount charge in 1920—25 cents. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tours are self-guided. We will be giving gallery talks continuously on that day for those who would like a more detailed tour. Special exhibits this season include “Brooches, Caps and Collars: Adornment in Portsmouth Portraits 1800-1860,” “90 Years of telling Portsmouth Stories” and “An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: the Portsmouth Peace Treaty of 1905.” You can also view are wonderful sampler collection now housed in new “visible storage.” Our extensive ceramics collection has been reorganized and more attractively displayed. Even if you have visited recently, you will find many changes this season; and if you have not been here since you were in the fourth grade, you will find a very different museum. However, you will find some of your favorite objects still on display. The 18th century wooden bathtub, loaned in 1920 by Woodbury Langdon, has returned. The opening day article in the Herald described this as “in the house in Revolutionary times.” You can also view the “oldest piano in America,” a piano said to have come from the Longfellow House in Portland and an 1820’s Babcock piano—all three arrived in our first week of collecting objects of interest for Portsmouth history! And, of course, the famous collection of canes is still here.
Following our regular hours we will feature an old-fashioned Garden Party from 5 to 7 PM in our garden with refreshments, house tours and a guest appearance by the Leftist Marching Band. Tickets for the Garden Party are $10 (children free). Proceeds support the garden and our ongoing painting projects. Tickets for the Garden Party may be purchased in advance at the John Paul Jones House or the Discover Portsmouth Center or at the gate on the evening of July 15.
The Discover Portsmouth Center is open daily from 10-5 and the John Paul Jones House daily from 11-5 through October 31. For more information call 603 436-8420 or email info@portsmouthhistory.org.
Photo caption: John Paul Jones House with balloons for the anniversary (Courtesy photos)
On July 15, 1920 the public opening of the John Paul Jones House was announced as a museum belonging to the Portsmouth Historical Society. While not the first historic house museum to open in Portsmouth, it was the first (and still the only) of Portsmouth sites to include the entire history of the city and the first to be run by local people. From the beginning, the focus was on collecting local objects and telling local stories. Ninety years later we have expanded into the Discover Portsmouth Center, and our focus on the history of Portsmouth and its many stories remains as strong as ever.
On Thursday, July 15, 2010 you can tour the John Paul Jones House, located at 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, for the same amount charge in 1920—25 cents. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tours are self-guided. We will be giving gallery talks continuously on that day for those who would like a more detailed tour. Special exhibits this season include “Brooches, Caps and Collars: Adornment in Portsmouth Portraits 1800-1860,” “90 Years of telling Portsmouth Stories” and “An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: the Portsmouth Peace Treaty of 1905.” You can also view are wonderful sampler collection now housed in new “visible storage.” Our extensive ceramics collection has been reorganized and more attractively displayed. Even if you have visited recently, you will find many changes this season; and if you have not been here since you were in the fourth grade, you will find a very different museum. However, you will find some of your favorite objects still on display. The 18th century wooden bathtub, loaned in 1920 by Woodbury Langdon, has returned. The opening day article in the Herald described this as “in the house in Revolutionary times.” You can also view the “oldest piano in America,” a piano said to have come from the Longfellow House in Portland and an 1820’s Babcock piano—all three arrived in our first week of collecting objects of interest for Portsmouth history! And, of course, the famous collection of canes is still here.
Following our regular hours we will feature an old-fashioned Garden Party from 5 to 7 PM in our garden with refreshments, house tours and a guest appearance by the Leftist Marching Band. Tickets for the Garden Party are $10 (children free). Proceeds support the garden and our ongoing painting projects. Tickets for the Garden Party may be purchased in advance at the John Paul Jones House or the Discover Portsmouth Center or at the gate on the evening of July 15.
The Discover Portsmouth Center is open daily from 10-5 and the John Paul Jones House daily from 11-5 through October 31. For more information call 603 436-8420 or email info@portsmouthhistory.org.
Photo caption: John Paul Jones House with balloons for the anniversary (Courtesy photos)
