“Strawbery Banke has shaped my life in ways I never expected. In my role as Director of Development, I often joke that I don’t just work at Strawbery Banke; I raised my family here. We lived on campus in three different historic houses. My daughter began as a junior roleplayer and now is an interpreter. My wife volunteers. As our nation enters it's 250th anniversary, I feel deeply to generations who lived here before us and the responsibility we share in stewarding their stories. It is an honor to be a part of the Strawbery Banke—and to stand with this year’s March Match Leadership Circle in supporting its future.”

Strawbery Banke is important to me because it tells American history as a lived, evolving experience rather than a single defining moment. By preserving the Puddle Dock neighborhood and interpreting more than 350 years of life in Portsmouth—from Indigenous presence through colonization, revolution, immigration, and modern change—the Museum captures how national events shaped everyday lives over generations. As the country approaches its 250th Anniversary, this long view feels especially meaningful, encouraging reflection rather than a narrow celebration of 1776.

What I value most is Strawbery Banke’s focus on community and inclusion. The Museum highlights the experiences of working‑class families, Black residents, immigrants, and others whose stories are essential to understanding what independence and belonging truly meant over time. Its upcoming 250th‑anniversary programming continues this thoughtful approach by expanding the narrative of the Revolution beyond famous figures to the people who lived with its consequences.

Strawbery Banke also stands as a testament to civic stewardship. Saved by local citizens and sustained by community support, it reminds us that history endures only when people choose to protect it. That makes the Museum not only a place of memory, but a vital institution for understanding who we are as a nation at this pivotal moment.

“We have been connected with Strawbery Banke for fifty years, beginning with jobs at the Museum in archeology and research early in our careers. We have seen the evolution from those first efforts to save a neighborhood to becoming a leader in historic preservation, cultural interpretation and climate resilience & adaptation. Strawbery Banke continues to research stories that uncover not only the history that defines our region, but also the forgotten and hidden stories that more accurately define the true diversity of the American experience. What better way to celebrate our nation’s 250th than to support the Museum! The work is an important and vital part of our community.”

“For me, Strawbery Banke has been inspirational. The Museum is tasked with a difficult mission. They must connect historic authenticity with modern day relevance. They do this by telling stories. 400 years of stories. From our region’s humble beginnings in a place initially called Strawbery Banke, alongside a wild river in a mysterious land, to and including the past 250 years of our nation’s spectacular success story. These are stories of struggle, sacrifice, discovery, triumph, and perseverance. Stories of Native people, immigrants, merchants, preachers, artisans, seafarers, and mostly stories of the strength that comes from community. These stories are old, but make no mistake about it, these stories still resonate with us today. It is part of the human condition to yearn for connection, to be part of something bigger than yourself. Strawbery Banke allows us to find this connection. It inspires!”

“We care deeply about Strawbery Banke Museum because it keeps the stories of Portsmouth and our nation alive in a way that feels real and personal—inviting us to imagine what life was like for those who came before us. Every time we walk through the grounds, we’re reminded that our country was built by people from many backgrounds—each bringing their own dreams, traditions, and hard work. As the United States celebrates its 250th Anniversary, it’s important to support organizations that protect history. Understanding our past—both the triumphs and the challenges—helps us make wiser, more informed choices for the future. Supporting the museum means supporting education, dialogue, and a deeper appreciation for what binds us together as Americans. All things we need more of right now.”

“We often forget how things once were and how much our lives have changed for the good. Having watched the transformation of Portsmouth from my childhood to the multi-faceted and exciting city of today is one measure of a people reinventing themselves by using the past to enhance and add context to the present. It’s amazing to think that Strawbery Banke was only begun in my childhood and its growth is a critical part of the glorious revitalization of Portsmouth. Like the city that surrounds it, Strawbery Banke today is vibrantly alive—people live in its historic buildings and its other homes give us glimpses of how Portsmouth residents lived, struggled, and often prospered over the last 350 years. There is just nothing quite like Strawbery Banke anywhere.”