June 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Step into the untold side of the American Revolution.
On June 10th at 6:30 PM, the Portsmouth Historical Society will welcome Rita Parisi of Waterfall Productions for a powerful solo theatrical performance of Women of ’76—a journey into the lives of real women who witnessed, chronicled, and in some cases changed the course of the Revolution.
Audiences will encounter voices rarely heard in the history books:
- Baroness Frederika von Riedesel, whose vivid journals capture the chaos of war
- Prudence Wright, who led a militia of women to capture Tory spies
- Nancy Hart, who faced down British soldiers—and won
- Mary Katharine Goddard, who published the first Declaration bearing the signers’ names
- Mary Gould Almy, whose firsthand accounts document the siege of Newport
Their stories—patriot and loyalist, American and foreign—reveal a deeper, more complex portrait of the American Revolution.
Rita Parisi, an accomplished actress and playwright, has been touring original solo works for over 20 years. Since founding Waterfall Productions in 2005, she has brought history to life for audiences across New England and beyond. A member of SAG-AFTRA, her work has appeared on both stage and screen, including the Boston International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.
Don’t miss this riveting, richly costumed performance that gives voice to the women of the Revolution.
This event is free and open to the public although donations are welcome.
A reminder that the Portsmouth Historical Society main building is now fully accessible!

