Portsmouth 250

 

Lafayette Trail ceremony with re-enactors

Local author D. Allen Kerr notes, "Portsmouth was a red-white-and-blue hotbed of rebellious activity during the American Revolution. Months before the 1775 midnight ride that made him a legend, Paul Revere made a similar dash to this city, warning colonists that British troops were enroute to reinforce Fort William and Mary in neighboring New Castle. As a result, months before “the shot heard ‘round the world” at Lexington and Concord, 400 local patriots stormed that fort – manned by only half a dozen British soldiers – to seize gunpowder, cannons and muskets."

Historic sites, museums, groups and the City itself are commemorating America's 250 with a variety of events.

Full Calendars of 250th Anniversary Events

Select Events

Memorial Day Wreath-Laying 

Friday, May 22, 11 am in Prescott Park

The ceremony includes a wreath-laying on the Piscataqua River to honor those service members lost at sea. This event will be rain or shine.

Memorial Day & 250th Commemorative Parade

Monday, May 25, 1 pm

Parade from Parrot/Richards Avenue to South Cemetery and back to Junkins Avenue. 

Lafayette250 Marker Dedication

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 1 pm at Plains Ball Field, 1845 Plains Avenue

General Lafayette was a guest of the City of Portsmouth on October 4-6, 1784, during the celebratory sojourn he made across the newly independent United States shortly after the Treaty of Paris (1783) was ratified by the Confederation Congress. The dedication ceremony for this new marker will take place as part of a Lafayette250 function honoring Lafayette's contributions to American freedom as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Flag Day & USA 250 Big Watch

Sunday, June 14

Portsmouth's Liberty Pole is the oldest in America. The middle plaque on flagpole reads: "Liberty, Property and No Stamp" Near this spot then "Swing Bridge" thenceforward called "Liberty Bridge" on January 9, 1766 nine years before the revolution.: The "Sons of Liberty" in Portsmouth raised the first "No Stamp Flag" in the American Colonies on the Liberty Pole. Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth Historical Society and the Association of Historical Societies of NH present a Flag Day program at 12 noon at Portsmouth’s historic Liberty Pole on Marcy Street, followed by a 1 pm screening of “Spirit of Service” selections from Ken Burns’ “American Revolution” documentary. Courtney Marshall from NH Humanities will lead an audience discussion along with three panelists: Nancy Pearson, Claudia Wu and X. Free and open to the public. strawberybanke.org/250

Halcyon Music Festival – American Composers for America’s 250th

June 11-20, 2025 at 7 pm. St. John’s Episcopal Church

The Halcyon Festival brings world-class chamber music musicians together to perform, live and practice together for a summer week. General admission tickets are $45, students $15, and a wide variety of concert packages are offered. Details: halcyonmusicfestival.org/concerts. 

History Walking Tours

The Portsmouth Historical Society presents five themed walks at portsmouthhistory.org. Learn about the city’s history in the guided walking tours of many themes at blackheritagetrailnh.org. The Black Heritage Trail of NH also offers self-guided tours, bus and trolley tours, and virtual tours. Learn about the Portsmouth Harbour Trail Tours at goportsmouthnh.com. 

John Paul Jones House “Revolutionary Portsmouth” exhibit

May 21-Oct 31, 2026

In the 1760s and 1770s, Portsmouth’s citizens were forced to make a choice between democracy or monarchy, between being a Patriot or a Loyalist. This exhibit shows what life was like in Portsmouth at the time and how the Revolution was remembered in 1876 and 1976. The house, 43 Middle Street, is open 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday-Sunday. Admission is $10. Information: portsmouthhistory.org/jpj. John Paul Jones, “Father of the American Navy,” lived in the Widow Purcell’s home at the corner of Middle and State Street for six months in 1781-82, while he awaited the completion of the ship America in nearby Langdon’s shipyard. His biographers note he passed the time enjoying Portsmouth’s hospitality.

Strawbery Banke Museum, Revolutionary Portsmouth

Walk through centuries at Strawbery Banke, where each historic home depicts life in Portsmouth during a specific decade in history including during the Revolution. “Echoes of Revolution” guided tour on Saturday and Sundays, is an add-on to regular museum admission, and three historic Revolution-era sites. Tickets are $15, members; $20, non-members. Also a Revolutionary Portsmouth lecture series, a Revolutionary Portsmouth exhibit in its Rowland Gallery. strawberybanke.org/250. 

Other Revolutionary-era Historic House Museums In Portsmouth 

  • Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, home of New Hampshire's first royal governor 
  • Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden, the historic home of William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; 
  • Langdon House, 143 Pleasant Street, is former home of patriot John Langdon who led the successful raid on Fort William and Mary, was elected President of the State of New Hampshire revolutionary government and became the State’s first Governor. Cyrus Bruce, an enslaved member of the Langdon household assisted Ona Judge with her escape from George and Martha Washington.
  • Wentworth-Gardner House, 50 Mechanic Street, is adjacent to the now privately-owned Lear House hosted President George Washington during his 1789 visit with his Portsmouth-born secretary Tobias Lear.

Juneteenth in Portsmouth 

June 19-21, 27, 28, 2026

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) is celebrating Juneteenth along with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 

  • Friday, June 19 Freedom Walk, 9 am, from Kittery to Portsmouth and African Drumming Ceremony at 11 am at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park
  •  Sunday, June 21, 10 am living history interpretation “Meet New Hampshire’s Five To Know” at the M&T Bank parking lot.
  • Saturday, June 27, Frederick Douglass Statewide Reading at noon at Strawbery Banke 
  • Sunday, June 28 at 10 am., BHTNH presents a “Reclaiming History, Declaring Dignity” guided bus tour to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. Info: blackheritagetrailnh.org/events/juneteenth-celebration-nh

Moffatt-Ladd House US 250 Big Watch, Ken Burns “American Revolution” excerpts

July 3, 1-3 pm

Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden Museum

July 3 City of Portsmouth Independence Day Fireworks

Celebrating America’s 250th, a spectacular fireworks display over downtown Portsmouth sponsored by Wilcox Industries at 9:15 pm. Rain date is July 5. The event is free and open to the public. Parking and street closure information will be available on the city’s website closer to the event.  

July 4 Naturalization Ceremony

Strawbery Banke hosts a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony at 10 am to welcome new citizens on the country’s 250th birthday. The ceremony occurs rain or shine under a tent on the museum’s grounds. Free and open to the public. Visitors can tour the historic houses and grounds free of charge all day.

John Paul Jones Birthday Party

July 11, 10:30 am to 12 noon

The Portsmouth Historical Society celebrates John Paul Jones 268th birthday at the John Paul Jones House, 43 Middle St., with games and crafts on the lawn and cupcakes. Free admission to the historic house, 10 am to 4 pm.   

36th American Independence Festival, Exeter

July 11, 10 am to 4 pm

Hear a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, view the original copy that was brought to Exeter in 1776, explore what it was like to be a colonist, a soldier and a tradesman, visit the museum and tavern, talk with local historical interpreters including “George Washington” and “Jack Staines,” and enjoy a local brew in the beer garden. Pursuit of Happiness 5K Road Race at 8 am, through downtown Exeter. aicnh.org/american-independence-festival.

Sail Portsmouth Festival & Parade of Sail

July 23-26

Thursday, July 23, 7:30 pm Parade of Sail proceeds up the Piscataqua River 

Friday-Sunday, July 24-26, Sail Portsmouth Festival at the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier. Ship tours aboard the Oosterschelde, free for children ages up to 12; $15 for 13 and above; family ticket admits one adult and up to three children 13 to 15 for $39. More information at sailportsmouth.org

America 250th Gala: An Evening of Food and Drink That Shaped The Nation

Saturday, August 29, rain date August 30.

Strawbery Banke Museum presents this open air 250th gala on its historic grounds to honor Martha Fuller Clark for her extraordinary leadership and longstanding dedication to preserving Strawbery Banke and its stories. More details to follow at strawberybanke.org.