Portsmouth Historical Society has announced its Walking Tours for 2017 which include four different offerings: a 75-minute Daily Tour at 10:30am; an extended 90-minute Portsmouth History & Homes Tour Tuesdays at 11am; Historic Preservation Tours with local historian Dr. Richard M. Candee, author of Building Portsmouth select Saturdays at 10:30am; and new this season, Portsmouth Women, the fourth Wednesday of the month at 4:30pm.
According to Erika Beer, Tour Manager for Portsmouth Historical Society, “Our walking tours last year were so popular! We’ve made some modifications to better serve our residents and visitors. For example, our Daily Tours used to run from Memorial Day – Columbus Day but because of demand, they will now start the first week of May and run through the month of October. And, we used to start each day at 10am but have moved to 10:30am to accommodate schedules. Finally, we have two new offerings this year: Portsmouth Women, and a specific addition to Richard Candee’s Tours – entitled Industrial Portsmouth. It’s going to be another banner year for our tours! If you’re visiting Portsmouth for a meal, an afternoon or a weekend consider taking one of our walking tours!”
Discover Portsmouth Daily Tour: 10:30am/75-minute
Our experienced and engaging tour guides, long time Portsmouth enthusiasts, cover the streets, stories and architecture of historic downtown.
Portsmouth History & Homes: Tuesdays, 11am/90-minute
This extended tour of historic downtown allows you to walk in the steps of a number of U.S. Presidents who have visited the city, and visualize the impact of three major fires in early 19th Century Portsmouth. This tour stops briefly in front of six historic houses and touches on Portsmouth’s economy.
New! Portsmouth Women: Fourth Wed, 4:30pm/75-minute
Hear the untold stories of navigators, preachers, artists, authors, tavern keepers and madams who defied stereotypes and shaped Portsmouth.
Historic Preservation: Select Saturdays, 10:30am/75-minute
Our Portsmouth Advocates present a series of guided walking tours led by local historian Richard Candee, author of Building Portsmouth. Taking place on select Saturdays from May through October, these tours showcase our famous neighborhoods and explore the unique architectural landscape of Portsmouth and the stories embedded in bricks and mortar.
May 6 Portsmouth Landmarks
May 27 North End: Lost Neighborhood
June 17 South End Preservation
July 15 Brick Act
August 12 Federal West End
Sept. 2 Victorian West End
Sept. 16 New! Industrial Portsmouth
Oct. 14 Piscataqua Waterfront
Walking tours kick off Sat. May 6 with Richard Candee’s Historic Preservation Tour entitled Portsmouth Landmarks. The Daily Tour of historic downtown Portsmouth begins Sun. May 7. All tours depart from Discover Portsmouth, 10 Middle Street. Tours range from $12-25/person. Online reservations encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.
For more information on tours and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.portsmouthhistory.org or email erika@portsmouthhistory.org or call (603) 436-8433.
For Sankofa Tours of the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, please contact: 603-380-1231 for reservations. Unless otherwise noted, all tours begin Saturdays at 2pm at the Liberty Flagpole on Marcy Street, across from Strawbery Banke Museum. Each tour ends at the site of the African Burying Ground and Memorial Park.
Portsmouth Historical Society @ Discover Portsmouth
Interested in Portsmouth history, arts and culture? Beyond our own on-site museum exhibitions, lectures and shop filled with unique Portsmouth gifts (including numerous books on Portsmouth), and our 1758 John Paul Jones House National Historic Landmark across the street, our Welcome Center is a cultural gateway to the City. We can send you out on any number of themed Tours and guide you through all that our city has to offer – from historic homes to performing and visual arts. Ready to Discover Portsmouth? Stop here first! Discover Portsmouth is open daily from 9:30-5pm (and until 8pm for Art Round Town, the first Friday of each month). For further information on exhibitions, publications, gift shop, lectures, rentals, and tours, please call 603-436-8433 or visit PortsmouthHistory.org.
Also available through Portsmouth Historical Society
At the John Paul Jones House Carriage House
Port City Bike Tours
Now offering daily guided and self-guided bike tours starting at the John Paul Jones Carriage House, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH. Guided tours (2-6 riders) range from 7 to 25 miles, 90 minutes to 3 1/2 hours, and each offers amazing scenery, history and local insights. Private custom tours for your family, friends or corporate group are also available. Tours include your guide, custom fit 21-speed bike, helmet, water and snack. To reserve call 603-969-1866 or visit www.portcitybiketours.com
Kathleen Soldati, Executive Director
Portsmouth Historical Society
10 Middle St. Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-436-8433 PortsmouthHistory.org
kathleen@portsmouthhistory.org
Discover Portsmouth History, Arts, Culture!
www.portsmouthhistory.org/2017-walking-tours-of-historic-portsmouth-nh/