April 2016 newsletter
1. Membership: I am pleased to say that the membership of the Portsmouth Historical Society continues to grow. Our Board of Directors has been actively planning a number of activities for our members. Portsmouth has a rich and wonderful history and we intend to do all we can to arouse awareness of that history. Please urge your friends and neighbors to join us. The application is on our website.
2. New logo: Tom Roskelly, nationally known graphic designer, has created a color version of our new logo (see above). We look forward to sharing it with the membership as decals or bumper stickers. That will help get the word out as to whom we are.
3. Events: The genealogy workshop that we co-sponsored with the Portsmouth Library was a big success. We are grateful for Lynda Rego and Anne Wagner for helping generate local interest in finding our roots.
4. Open House: Our next big event is our Open House on Sunday 22 May from 10-2. Stop in and peruse our collection of Portsmouth Historical artifacts and meet our Board of Directors. Tours will be offered and refreshments will be served.
5. Volunteers: We continue to seek volunteers to help grow our organization. Please respond to a recent mailing showing our needs. You can also contact any Board member during our Open House.
6. Board Openings: We have a few openings on our Board of Directors and our Nominating Committee is looking for candidates. If interested you can e-mail PHSNominating@PortsmouthHistorical.org . Elections will be held at the June annual meeting.
7. Facebook: Please like us on Facebook. Lots of good information there and on our website.
8. Docent training: A good way to learn about our history is to serve as a docent/guide at the museum, Sundays 2-4. Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Contact Anne Wagner (PHSDocents@PortsmouthHistorical,org ) for info about training class-Saturday 21 May, 9:30-11:30 AM.
9. Emails: We continue to ask for your emails so we can communicate with you better and save snail mailing costs. Please send us yours.
10. Take our survey: We want to know what kind of event or activity you want to see from your Historical Society. Please go to our website: www.portsmouthhistorical.org and take the online survey (link in the left column of this newsletter). Your responses and feedback are important to us.
- Historical notes: – Portsmouth’s population in 1940 was 3,683. – What do you know about Julia Ward Howe in Portsmouth? – There was a coal mine operation in Portsmouth, off and on, from 1809-1913. Do you know where? Thanks for your continued support. We will see you all at the Open House on 22 May (10-2). Parking will be available at the shopping center next to the Museum.
Jim Garman, President Portsmouth Historical Society