The Portsmouth Historical Society is proud to welcome the American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit to Portsmouth, marking the first time this national exhibit has come to Rhode Island. The free exhibit will be hosted at the Society’s museum at 870 East Main Road from August 21 through August 30. Created through a partnership between the […]

Portsmouth Historical Society audience hears how genealogy can transform familiar landmarks into personal connections The Portsmouth Historical Society recently welcomed Christopher Barker for a thoughtful and engaging presentation on how genealogy can deepen our connection to place. His talk, “Pocasset Legacies: A Deeper Experience of Home Through All-Lines Genealogy,” invited attendees to look beyond family

The Portsmouth Historical Society is pleased to share the exciting news that three historic Vanderbilt-era vehicles have joined the Society’s collection, offering visitors a rare opportunity to connect with Portsmouth’s Gilded Age past. The newly added carriages help tell the story of a time when Portsmouth and nearby Aquidneck Island were closely tied to the

On May 20th, approximately 40 members, guests, historians and Board Members attended this free and open-to-the-public lecture at the Historical Society’s Museum, given by Dr. Evan Wilson of the Naval War College. His topic was “The French Navy & American Independence.” A recording of the lecture will be available soon on the Society’s YouTube channel.

The Portsmouth Historical Society’s Historical Trolley Tour of Portsmouth was a tremendous success, bringing together a full group of history lovers, community members, and curious visitors for an afternoon dedicated to the stories, landmarks, and lasting legacy of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, the guided trolley tour offered guests a comfortable