Opening in April 2026, the Cousins Apartment will bring the Penhallow-Cousins House to life for the first time through an immersive installation exploring Black family life in Portsmouth’s Puddle Dock neighborhood during the 1930s and 1940s. Through archaeology, oral histories, artifacts, and community collaboration, the exhibition centers everyday life, resilience, and belonging.

Opening Summer 2026, this new exhibition in the Rowland Gallery explores Portsmouth’s role in the American Revolution through letters, objects, and decorative arts. In collaboration with leading collectors and historians, it reveals militia activity, political networks, and everyday life, including the contributions of local Black residents.

Built in 1766, the William Pitt Tavern was home and business to John Stavers and his family, serving travelers along the route between Portsmouth and Boston. By 1777, it remained an active gathering place where guests debated news and politics, offering a window into the social, civic, and commercial life of Revolutionary-era Portsmouth.

Thursday, May 14, 2025, 5:30 PM
Part of the Making History, Making Change Lecture Series organized by Smithsonian Affiliations

Join Dr. Doretha Williams, Head of the Robert F. Smith Fund at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, for an inspiring talk on how community curation and digital stewardship are preserving Black histories and strengthening partnerships nationwide.

Members $10; Nonmembers $15.

Sunday, June 14, 2026, 12–2:30 PM

Celebrate Flag Day at Strawbery Banke Museum with a ceremony, family-friendly activities, and a special US@250: Big Watch screening and discussion. Featuring an excerpt from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, the program invites reflection on civic life, service, and shared history.

Free and open to the public; advance registration encouraged.

Friday, May 29, 2026, 6–7 PM
Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth

Dr. Philip Mead explores the lived experiences of enlisted soldiers in the American Revolution through the writings and material world of Joseph Plumb Martin. Enlisting at just 16, Martin served seven years in the Continental Army under George Washington, leaving behind one of the most detailed firsthand accounts of the war from the perspective of an ordinary soldier. Drawing on Martin’s memoir alongside surviving objects and documents, Mead examines the motivations, hardships, and lasting impact of military service, revealing how one man’s story reflects broader questions about sacrifice, identity, and democratic ideals in the early American republic.

Dr. Philip Mead holds a Ph.D. in early American history from Harvard University. From 2014 to 2023, he served as the founding Chief Historian and Curator of the Museum of the American Revolution. He recently served as guest lead curator of The Declaration’s Journey (2025–2027), marking the 250th anniversary of 1776. His work focuses on the material culture and lived experiences of the Revolutionary era.

Thursday, August 6, 2026, 5:30–6:30 PM
Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth

Dr. Gerald Ward examines how John Paul Jones has been remembered and reinterpreted over time, tracing the evolving narratives that have shaped his legacy across generations. This talk explores how historical figures are continually reframed, revealing as much about changing American values and memory as about Jones himself.

Dr. Gerald W. R. Ward is curator of the Portsmouth Historical Society and editor of its Portsmouth Marine Society Press. He previously served as Katharine Lane Weems Senior Curator of American Decorative Arts and Sculpture at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. A graduate of Harvard College with a doctorate from Boston University, he has published widely on American art and material culture and currently teaches at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 5:30–6:30 PM
Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth

Dr. Kimberly Alexander explores how everyday consumer choices became acts of political expression during the Revolutionary era. Focusing on shoes as a case study, she reveals how American women supported boycotts of English goods by purchasing locally made footwear and repairing existing pairs, helping disrupt British industry and advance the cause of independence.

Dr. Kimberly Alexander is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Museum Studies in the History Department at the University of New Hampshire. A former curator at institutions including the MIT Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, and Strawbery Banke Museum, she specializes in material culture and dress history. Her publications include Treasures Afoot: Shoe Stories from the Georgian Era and Fashioning the New England Family.

Thursday, November 12, 2026, 5:30–6:30 PM
Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth

John Herman offers a closer look at Wentworth Cheswill, a pioneering and often overlooked figure in early American history. An archaeologist, messenger rider, and the first person of African descent elected to public office in the United States, Cheswill’s life reflects a remarkable journey from enslavement to civic leadership. This talk highlights his lasting impact and the broader story of Black history in Revolutionary-era New England.

John Herman is an artist, educator, and performer whose work brings local history to life. His practice spans visual art and improvisational theatre, and he has been featured in NH PBS’s Granite State Challenge as part of its America250 programming. He is the author of Wentworth Cheswill’s Ride: Chasing a Would-Be American Folk Hero.

May 9-10, 2026

Celebrate spring with a festival of gardens, hands-on activities, heritage breeds, artisans, and storytellers. This “Red, White, and Bloom” event brings to life the agricultural and cultural traditions that shaped New England communities and underscores the ongoing story of people, place, and change.

Tuesdays, June 16–August 25, 2026

Relax into summer evenings with live acoustic and Americana-inspired music set among historic houses and gardens in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. This annual concert series highlights the enduring power of music as a shared story that brings people together across generations.

July 4, 2026

Experience the joy and meaning of citizenship during a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony held at the heart of Puddle Dock, long known as a “neighborhood of newcomers.” This powerful annual tradition underscores that America’s story is one of continual arrival, belonging, and renewal.

October 16-17 & 23-24, 2026

Explore Portsmouth’s oldest neighborhood after dark during this family-friendly Halloween tradition. Meet spirits inspired by the era of America’s founding and beyond, and discover how stories, both historical and haunting, help us understand the past.

December 4–6, 11-13, 18–20, 2026

Conclude the anniversary year with one of New England’s most beloved holiday traditions. Wander candlelit streets, tour decorated historic houses, and experience seasonal music and traditions that reflect centuries of celebration, resilience, and community.