Founding Organizations

The City of Portsmouth is the steward of a remarkable public history spanning nearly four centuries. Through its commitment to protecting the city’s heritage, Portsmouth works to preserve the stories that connect its community today with generations past and future.

Portsmouth Historical Society has been preserving and sharing Portsmouth’s history for more than a century. Through its many endeavors, the Society builds community connections that have shaped Portsmouth, helping ensure that its diverse history remains accessible to future generations.

Strawbery Banke Museum preserves and interprets the history of Portsmouth’s historic Puddle Dock neighborhood, bringing more than 350 years of community life to the public through historic buildings and living-history programs. Its extensive collections and research have shaped Portsmouth and the Seacoast.

Portsmouth Athenæum has been a center of learning and preservation in Portsmouth since its founding in 1817. Its extensive collection provides an extraordinary window into the history of Portsmouth and the Piscataqua region, while its exhibitions and programs invite the community to explore that heritage.