August 18, 2022 – The Captain Alfred Southwick Chase (1822-1900) Brig Model, ca. 1875, a gift of Mr. and Mrs. David Sanford Chase was set up in the Portsmouth Town Hall Lobby This wooden model of a brig was built by Captain Alfred Southwick Chase of Portsmouth, R.I., in about 1860. It was restored by […]
. Aug 4, 2022 – – The Portsmouth Historical Society presented a local history lecture by Town Historian Jim Garman. Since the founding of Portsmouth in 1638 there have been close relations between Portsmouth and Tiverton. The main barrier was finding a way to communicate with one another. In the early colonial days numerous ferries
Lecture – ” “Crossing the Sakonnet: Ferries, Bridges and Railroads” Read More »
24 July 2022 – Clay pipes have a long history dating back to the Native Americans of pre-colonial North America. These two (2) pieces of a clay smoking pipe were found on the beach under the Mount Hope Bridge and donated to PHS by Rachel Bennett in 2018. Be sure to look for the pipe
July 17, 2022 – A crowd of 50 joined the PHS at Polo! Guests brought their lawn chars and blanket and ‘pot luck’ food and beverages accompanied by Pimm’s Cup cocktail and a dessert buffet available.. Thank you all for supporting the Portsmouth Historical Society! 100% of the proceeds will be going directly to support
July 3, 2022 . Civil War Era 33-Star American Flag, part of the Society’s collection was laid out to air and displayed to visitors. Due to its delicate nature, this is a very rare opportunity to view this special flag.The 33-Star Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1859. It lasted for
June 16, 2022 – Jim Garman Lecture on the Portsmouth Coal Mines During the years 1808-1913 there was, periodically, a great deal of activity at Arnold’s Point in the northwestern part of Portsmouth. Anthracite coal was discovered there early on and mining operations began. Mining continued, off and on, for the next century. The coal
An Illustrated Lecture on Portsmouth’s Coal Mines by Jim Garman Read More »
June 16, 2022 – State Representative, Terri Cortvriend (D, 72) and State Senator Jim Seveney (D, 11) sponsored State legislative grants of $1500 each. The grants will be used to fund a hand-crafted antique wood conference table and to purchase conference table chairs for the Portsmouth Historic Society Museum to be used for visitors and
June 5, 2022 – The tour was fully booked as visitors joined us for a walking tour to see the beautiful Melville Park and learn its extensive history! Melville Park is part of the Melville Recreation Area which covers 153 acres. This Town property is dominated by a brook, numerous ponds, a waterfall, a valley
May 29, 2022 – After nearly three years of COVID restrictions, the Main Museum was re-opened
May 13, 2022 – The Newport Navy Choristers, under the direction of Lori McDowell, presented their annual Spring concert, “Proudly We Sing” on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, Proceeds from the concert benefitwd the Portsmouth Historical Society.
