Portsmouth Historical Society Needs Members and Volunteers

As I learned last year on the occasion of our 375th anniversary, Portsmouth has a fascinating history, and our guests on Friday’s edition of Portsmouth this week were two members of the local organization that collects, displays and promotes the study of our town’s history, the Portsmouth Historical Society (PHS). PHS Vice President Carolyn Nelson and Board of Directors member Gloria Schmidt discussed their organization and its role as the primary resource for information on Portsmouth History topics. The group maintains several historic buildings and artifacts at their property on the corner of Union Street and East Main Road and operates on a very limited budget, gained primarily from membership dues. Their primary resources are their dedicated volunteers, who handle all the tasks of maintaining and restoring the buildings, as well as facilitating tours, events and talks, maintaining their website and Facebook postings, conducting genealogy workshops, maintaining a display of historic items/documents at the Portsmouth Public Library, and even restoring some of the historic artifacts and equipment on display.

Due to limitations of the primary building they occupy (built in 1865, it has limited heat) and the need for more volunteer docents, the Historical Society is only open on Sundays from 2-4 PM in the summer months from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. Their theme this year is “Lost to Time”, showcasing Portsmouth businesses, farms, social and other town places that have been lost over the years. Upcoming events and volunteer training opportunities are listed on their easy-to-navigate website at www.portsmouthhistorical.com

If you are interesting in learning more about our 376 year history, volunteering to be a docent, helping to restore and maintain old artifacts, or simply becoming a member of the Historical Society – the membership dues are very reasonable (e.g. $20 per family/year) – please contact PHS through their website, friend them on Facebook or contact Gloria Schmidt by telephone at 401-683-0787.

PHS needs your support and assistance to preserve our town’s historic heritage. Please consider joining PHS and volunteering to work on any of their numerous projects – Help preserve Portsmouth’s history. Docent Training will be held on May 17th, from 10 to noon at the Museum.  A Members meeting to vote on proposed by-laws is scheduled for May 19th at 7 p.m. at the Museum.

Watch this show at http://youtu.be/EnDNtjKroPU

Portsmouth this Week, the “Voice of Portsmouth Town Hall” is a weekly public TV program sponsored by Town Administrator John Klimm to provide a forum for issues of concern to the Portsmouth Community. These programs are aired on Cox Channel 18 at various times and are posted on Youtube for viewing anytime. Links to past editions can be accessed from the Town’s website.