15 February 2016 Newsletter from the President

Dear Fellow members of the Portsmouth Historical Society,

I would like to welcome all of our new members. Since November we have grown the membership of the Society from about 100 to nearly 400! This is very exciting for all of us who love our history. We have received 22 Contributing members, 16 Patrons, 3 Corporate memberships and a number of larger wonderful donations. Again, thank you so much.

We have a number of activities planned for 2016, beginning with the celebration of Founders’ Day on 7 March from 11-1 at the Town Hall.  Please join us for this rare look at Portsmouth’s Compact, our founding document. I will be also be giving a short talk on the significance of this document. On Wednesday 9 March at 6:30 I will also be giving a lecture on the early years of Portsmouth’s history at the Portsmouth Free Public Library. We are looking for volunteers to help us organize these events and we could use some support for these events from our membership. We are working on our calendar of other events for the year. Stay tuned.

After receiving a large grant from the RI Historical and Heritage Foundation we are working hard to achieve the matching funds necessary. Work continues on repairs and enhancements to the museum. We are moving along with other grant applications. We have submitted a request to Portsmouth State Representatives Canario and Reilly for a legislative grant to help purchase a large-scale dehumidifier for the museum. And we have submitted a $15,000 grant application to the RI Foundation to begin the process of becoming ADA-Handicap accessible in the museum and eventually the entire building. We have received solid support from Rich Ranier, our new Town Administrator. We have had a visit from an ADA-access specialist and member, Bill Bombach and from member Dave Kehew, our Public Works Director, both of whom are being very helpful with their advice. Also Town Building Inspector George Medeiros will be coming soon to give us his advice about additional necessary changes.

A number of archives have been arriving at the museum and we will need some help with organizing and cataloging these items. Much work is to be done and we need volunteers.

We are also working out a closer relationship with the Portsmouth Free Public Library so that we can help each other out.

We have had a new flagpole installed and we are working on getting rid of the old one and illuminating the new one so we can fly the flag 24/7.

Our Board of Directors meet monthly and committee work is carried out in between times. There will be a meeting of the Board of Directors at the Portsmouth Library on Saturday, 20 February from 10-12. Our meetings are open to the public. We are still looking for a new member of the Board.

We have a very interesting website which is updated frequently. It is at portsmouthhistorical.org. Lots of interesting town historical information is there. You can ask us questions there or you can contact me directly at President@portsmouthhistorical.org. You can also “friend” us on our Facebook page.

We anticipate that this is the first of a monthly Historical Society newsletter where we will keep you informed about the activities of your organization.

Thank you once again for your membership. We are very grateful for your support. If you haven’t sent us your email address, please do so. We will only make use of it to keep you tuned into to our activities.

James E. Garman

President

Portsmouth Historical Society.

Download a PDF Copy of the Feb 2016 Newsletter

PHS Newsletter 15 Feb 2016