Reinterpreted to highlight the Cousins family, the Penhallow-Cousins House illuminates Black history in New England from the Great Depression through World War II, including connections to the Great Migration. Through oral histories, community preservation, and the Puddle Dock neighborhood environment, it tells of resilience, labor, faith, and family in a multiracial, working-class community. Opening for the first time to the public on April 24, 2026, the house expands America’s 250th-anniversary story by foregrounding voices often left out, showing how home, memory, and belonging shaped both local and national identity.

Explore Portsmouth’s pivotal role during the American Revolution in a special exhibition in the Rowland Gallery, opening Summer 2026. Strawbery Banke, in collaboration with Michael Carroll, Revolutionary War Collector, and Philip Mead, Historian and Antique Dealer, presents letters, receipts, portraits, decorative arts, and objects that illuminate the city’s revolutionary activities. Highlights include a suit of clothes worn by Samuel Cutts, a Portsmouth merchant and politician, a wineglass used by George Washington, and a ship model of the Portsmouth-built Ranger. Visitors will gain a greater understanding of militia actions, the New Hampshire Committee of Safety, and daily life in revolutionary Portsmouth, including the contributions of local Black residents. 

Built in 1766, The William Pitt Tavern was both the home and business of John Stavers and his family. By 1777, it offered lodging, meals, and entertainment including concerts, plays, and dances, and served as Portsmouth’s terminus of the Flying Stage-Coach to Boston. During the Revolutionary War, the tavern continued operating despite questions about the family’s loyalty to England. Visitors can explore the kitchen and common rooms, where guests debated news and politics. Pitt Tavern showcases the social, civic, and commercial life of the 18th-century Portsmouth and the everyday spaces that shaped ideas of independence.  

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.

Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 12 PM

Join Strawbery Banke and Haven School alumni for an annual Flag Day commemoration. The public is invited to gather at the Museum on Marcy Street near Prescott Park, opposite the Liberty Pole. Free and open to the public.

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 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.