Portsmouth Historical Society, New Hampshire
Rail preservation groupOpen April to December, daily 10 am to 5 pm
Founded in 1917, the Portsmouth Historical Society gathers the history and material life of Portsmouth and the New Hampshire Seacoast from the 1600s to today, in its galleries at 10 Middle Street and the John Paul Jones House across the road.
- Founded in 1917
- John Paul Jones House since 1920
- Open April to December
- First Fridays are free
- Elevator and accessible entrance
Portsmouth Historical Society at a glance
- Hours
- April to December, daily 10 am to 5 pm (as posted for 2026)
- Admission
- $10 general, $5 discount, $15 family; under 5 free
- Seasonal events
- Historic Portsmouth Walking Tours, Cemetery tours, Homeschool Days, First Fridays
- Plan for
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Best for
- History lovers and families with school-age kids
- Best ages
- Ages 6 and up
- Parking
- Small lot behind the building
- Accessibility
- Rear ramp from the Islington Street sidewalk, automatic doors, an elevator and accessible restrooms
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(603) 436-8433
- Emailinfo@portsmouthhistory.org
- Alsoeducation@portsmouthhistory.org
- Alsoexhibitions@portsmouthhistory.org
- Websiteportsmouthhistory.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow Portsmouth Historical Society
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Portsmouth Historical Society? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Portsmouth.
Rally Takes the Train
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A century of collecting Portsmouth's story
The Portsmouth Historical Society was founded in 1917, and three years later it opened the John Paul Jones House as a museum. Over more than a hundred years it has built a wide collection that illustrates the history and everyday material life of Portsmouth and the nearby Seacoast, from the seventeenth century to the present.
Today the society runs two properties: its main building at 10 Middle Street, with changing exhibition galleries and a museum shop, and the John Paul Jones House just across the street. Its exhibitions rotate each year, so the society does not list a permanent railroad gallery online. Rail history fans who want to see railroad-related objects, photographs or documents in the collection should call (603) 436-8433 or email the society before visiting to ask what can be shown.
Galleries, a historic house and city walks
The 2026 season includes Betty & Barney, about the Portsmouth couple known as alien abductees and civil rights champions, the Contemporary Currents art show and Revolutionary Portsmouth, on how residents faced the choice between patriot and loyalist. Guided walking tours of about 90 minutes cover over 400 years of city history, and cemetery tours visit North Cemetery and Point of Graves.
Don’t miss
- The John Paul Jones HouseThe society's first museum, opened in 1920, across the street at 43 Middle Street.
- Historic Portsmouth Walking ToursNinety-minute guided walks from May to October covering four centuries of Seacoast history.
Hands-on history for school-age kids
The society runs Homeschool History days for ages 6 to 12, with lessons that mix discussion and activities, and children under 5 get in free. The galleries are better suited to school-age kids than toddlers, and there are no train rides or climb-aboard equipment here. A family ticket covers two adults and two minors.
Plan your visit: tips for Portsmouth Historical Society
- Call ahead if you want to see railroad-related items; they are not a listed permanent exhibit.
- Admission is free for everyone on the first Friday of each month, with hours until 8 pm.
- Dual-site tickets add the John Paul Jones House for a small extra charge.
- The rear parking lot is small; call the front desk if you have trouble.
Staff, members and a city that cares
The society is run by a board of directors and a professional staff that includes a curator, a collections manager and visitor services team. Members get free admission, and memberships, donations, museum shop purchases and event rentals all support the collection and the free school programs.
Railroad and trolley stops near the Seacoast
For trolleys you can ride, the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, is about 27 miles away. The Wolfeboro Railroad historic collection is about 41 miles inland, and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum in Portland is about 48 miles north. See every train museum in New Hampshire for more.
- Seashore Trolley MuseumKennebunkport, ME · about 27 mi
- Boston & Maine Railroad Historical SocietyMassachusetts, MA · about 41 mi
- Wolfeboro Railroad historic collectionWolfeboro, NH · about 41 mi
- Lowell National Historical Park trolley exhibitsLowell, MA · about 42 mi
- Heritage Rail Trail / historic railroad exhibitsNashua, NH · about 42 mi
- New England Southern Railroad historical collectionsNew Hampshire, NH · about 44 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Portsmouth sits right by the sea, and that always sends me back to Rally's favorite page. Through an arched train window he spots the ocean and says hello to a white bird gliding by. My mom loved the coast, and I think that is why she put the ocean in her story. If your kids want to draw their own seaside window, our coloring pages are a fun place to begin.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in New Hampshire: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in New Hampshire
- Halloween train rides in New Hampshire
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Portsmouth Historical Society?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Portsmouth Historical Society official website(opens in a new tab)
- Portsmouth Historical Society on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Portsmouth Historical Society on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Portsmouth Historical Society: 20 visitor questions
Does the Portsmouth Historical Society have railroad exhibits?
The society does not list a permanent railroad exhibit online; its galleries feature rotating exhibitions on Portsmouth and Seacoast history. Its collection spans the 1600s to today, so call (603) 436-8433 or email info@portsmouthhistory.org to ask whether any railroad items can be seen during your visit.
What are the Portsmouth Historical Society hours?
As of October 2026, the main museum at 10 Middle Street is open seasonally from April to December, seven days a week, 10 am to 5 pm. The John Paul Jones House keeps shorter hours. On the first Friday of each month the society stays open until 8 pm.
How much does the Portsmouth Historical Society cost?
As of October 2026, single site admission is $10 general, $5 discount and $15 for a family, and free for members. Discount tickets cover children 5 to 18, seniors over 62, students and Portsmouth residents, and children under 5 are free. A family ticket covers two adults and two minors.
Is the Portsmouth Historical Society ever free?
Yes. The first Friday of each month is free for everyone at both the main museum and the John Paul Jones House, and the society stays open until 8 pm for the city's Art 'Round Town evening. Children under 5 and members are always free.
Where is the Portsmouth Historical Society?
The museum is at 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, in the center of the city. The John Paul Jones House is just across the street at 43 Middle Street. Call (603) 436-8433 for directions or questions.
Is there parking at the Portsmouth Historical Society?
Yes, there is a small parking lot at the rear of the building, which also serves the accessible entrance. Because the lot is small, call the front desk at (603) 436-8433 if you run into a problem with parked cars. Downtown street parking is another option.
Is the Portsmouth Historical Society wheelchair accessible?
Yes. There is a wheelchair ramp at the rear of the building with its entrance on the Islington Street sidewalk, automatic doors at the rear and the main gallery entrances, an elevator to the second floor and universally accessible restrooms on the ground floor.
What exhibitions are at the Portsmouth Historical Society in 2026?
The 2026 exhibitions are Betty & Barney, about the Portsmouth couple famous as alien abductees and civil rights champions, running April 1 to November 2; Contemporary Currents, an art show with NHAA, April 1 to November 14; and Revolutionary Portsmouth, May 21 to October 31.
What is the John Paul Jones House?
It is the Portsmouth Historical Society's historic house museum at 43 Middle Street, which the society opened as a museum in 1920. As of October 2026 it is open from Memorial Day weekend to the end of October, Thursday to Monday, 10 am to 4 pm, plus Veterans Day.
Can I buy a combined ticket for the Portsmouth Historical Society and John Paul Jones House?
Yes. As of October 2026, dual site admission is $15 general, $10 discount and $20 for a family. The All in One ticket adds a walking tour for $25 general or $20 discount. Members get free admission to both properties.
Does the Portsmouth Historical Society offer walking tours?
Yes. Walking tours run daily from May 1 to October 31 and last about 90 minutes, covering more than 400 years of history. Specialty tours follow George Washington's path, celebrate LGBTQ+ history and honor the women of Portsmouth. As of October 2026, tickets are $20 general and $15 discount or for members.
Does the Portsmouth Historical Society run cemetery tours?
Yes. Ninety-minute guided tours visit North Cemetery, with stories spanning nearly two centuries, and Point of Graves, the city's earliest burial ground. Dates are posted on the events calendar at portsmouthhistory.org, and tickets are sold online.
Is the Portsmouth Historical Society good for kids?
It works best for school-age children. The society runs Homeschool History days for ages 6 to 12 with hands-on activities, and children under 5 get in free. There are no train rides or climbable vehicles, so younger kids may prefer a short visit paired with time outdoors.
What school programs does the Portsmouth Historical Society offer?
Its Third Grade History program brings nine hands-on lessons to every third grade class in Portsmouth's public elementary schools and ends with a field trip, free to the district. Homeschool days cover topics such as Indigenous storytelling, food, music and literature.
When was the Portsmouth Historical Society founded?
The society was founded in 1917 and opened the John Paul Jones House as a museum in 1920. For more than a century it has collected objects that show the history and material life of Portsmouth and the Seacoast from the seventeenth century to the present.
Is there a gift shop at the Portsmouth Historical Society?
Yes. The museum shop at 10 Middle Street sells Portsmouth gifts and books and is run by the society's own museum shop manager. It is an easy last stop after the galleries or a walking tour, and shop purchases help support the society's exhibitions, collections care and education programs.
Can you rent the Portsmouth Historical Society for events?
Yes. The society rents indoor and outdoor spaces from April to December, and its program room year-round, for up to 200 guests. Rentals start at $400. Contact Karen Bailey, rentals manager, at (603) 570-2494 to ask about dates and rates.
How can I support the Portsmouth Historical Society?
You can become a member, which includes free admission, make a donation through the website, shop in the museum store or book an event rental. Donations also help pay for programs such as the free third grade history lessons for Portsmouth schools.
How long should I spend at the Portsmouth Historical Society?
Plan about an hour for the galleries at 10 Middle Street, and add time if you visit the John Paul Jones House across the street. A walking tour adds another 90 minutes, so the All in One ticket can easily fill half a day.
What train museums are near Portsmouth, New Hampshire?
The Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, is about 27 miles away and offers trolley rides. The Wolfeboro Railroad historic collection is about 41 miles away, and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum in Portland is about 48 miles north.
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