A concert was given by Kevin Fennessey (of Portsmouth, RI) on October 30, 2021 at 7 PM at the Common Fence Point Community Center with proceeds going to the Society.  Kevin has a long history in Bluegrass and American Roots music. Starting at age 19 he has performed at music festivals from Maine to North […]

Members of the Portsmouth Historical Society were invited to an Open House by Jonathan and Erin Chapman, owners of the Glen Farm Millhouse at 120 Glen Farm Rd, Portsmouth. The couple was recently awarded the 2021 Historic Homeowner Rhody Award from Preserve Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation. They offered an exclusive opportunity

Lecture “Mother-Daughter Activists of the 19th/20th Centuries: Julia Ward Howe & Maud Howe Elliott” by Nancy Whipple Grinnell and Fred ZilianJulia Ward Howe is best remembered for writing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic;” however, she was much more. This talented, independent-minded woman of the 19th century was a poet, writer, playwright, preacher, lecturer, and

A tour was led by Stephen Luce at three cemeteries in Lawton Valley! First visited was the stone cellar hole. This was the home for many of those interred nearby. From there, we will walk to the oldest cemetery. It is currently unrecorded and contains several unmarked gravestones. It was discussed why they are unmarked.

“Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul” by John M. Barry. Anne Wagner served as a thought-provoking moderator for the forum.  Copies of the book are still available at the Portsmouth Free Public Library (www.portsmouthlibrary.org , 401-683-9457). Everyone who attended enjoyed this non-lecture forum with those who enjoyed reading the book.  

Glen Farm: A Gentleman’s Farm Lecture by Town Historian Jim Garman Local Historian Jim Garman gave a presentation on one of the most historically-significant “Gentlemen’s Farms” in Portsmouth’s history. In the late 19th and early 20th century a number of the prominent citizens of Newport’s Gilded Age decided to establish farms “out in the country”

The Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee is amassed volunteers to continue the removal of vegetation which currently obscures and prevents access to this Revolutionary War earthwork, the largest in southern New England.The cleanup was held on Sunday, 12 September. The area cleared contains vines (Poison Ivy), briars, bushes, and small trees. .

It was six months late, but the “Polar Dive” bonfire, normally scheduled for New Year’s Day was held at on Saturday Sept 4 at Island Park Beach in Portsmouth.  John Vit, bonfire coordinator said, “we tried very hard to have the event on January 1, but, out of an abundance of caution to keep people

Over 50 members and guests attended a lecture on the Battle of RI by historian and author Christian McBurney. Watch the video below.

The Portsmouth Historical Society invites all its members and guests to the 5th Annual All Charity Day at Newport Polo on August 1st, 2021.  The 6-chukker match began at 5pm, and featured home team Newport against “Foxtrot”. The match ended in a 10-10 tie with Newport pulling out a win in a sudden death overtime.