Old Town Hall
Listen to Audio
On the grounds of the Portsmouth Historical Society stands the Old Town Hall, a building that was constructed in 1846. It was previously used as the former Portsmouth Town Hall until the present one was built in 1895 on the same site.
At this time, the Old Town Hall was moved a few feet south and used as a stable and carriage shed for several years. It was also used as the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department’s first headquarters. It was moved to the grounds of the Society in 1970. The building now houses our collection of large agricultural equipment and horse-drawn vehicles, including a Victorian-era hearse.
Timeline:
1846
1846: Town Hall was built
The Old Town Hall is built near the current Portsmouth Town Hall site.
1895
1895: The current Town Hall is built
The current Portsmouth Town Hall is built. The Old Town Hall is moved a few feet south and used as a stable and carriage shed. It was then used as the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department’s first headquarters.
1907
1907: Clerk's buggy on top of roof
Youths somehow manage to put the town clerk’s buggy on top of the roof of the Old Town Hall. It is a mystery to this day as to how they managed to do it!
1970
1970: The current Portsmouth Fire Station is built.
The Old Town Hall was once again used for storage and various meetings.
1975
1975: The Town offered a building to the Portsmouth Historical Society
The Town of Portsmouth offered the building to the Portsmouth Historical Society, and the building was moved to its present location.
2019
2019: A generous grant!
A generous grant allows the Society to add a new roof and red cedar shingles to the Old Town Hall.