A recording of "Rails Around Portsmouth" by Rick Kfoury, presented at the Portsmouth Public Library (N.H.) on July 8, 2026. As New Hampshire's only seaport, Portsmouth became a hotspot not only for nautical activity but railroad action as well - a place where the sails met the rails. In this presentation, we will see historic scenes from around Portsmouth's railroad landscape and on the various railroad lines which entered and exited the city. About the Presenter Rick Kfoury is a railroad historian and author with an express interest in New England railroading in the second half of the twentieth century. He has authored four books on the subject. A 2018 graduate of the Keene State College history program, Rick currently serves as a director and Newsletter Editor for the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society and is employed in college admissions for Southern New Hampshire University.

A recording of Her/Story: From Her Heart To Yours, presented for the Portsmouth Public Library (NH) on March 27, 2025. “Behind every great woman is another great woman.” … Kate Hodges “Her❤️Story: from Her Heart to Yours” was co-created by Valerie Fagin and Susan Hess to help honor Women’s History Month in our community. We are grateful for the engaging and thought-provoking evening that featured individual stories of inspiration presented by Sandi Clark Kaddy, Priscilla Stevens French, and Susan Hess, and moderated by Valerie Fagin. Speakers Susan Hess tells the story of the fiercely courageous artist, Charlotte Salomon. Sandi Clark Kaddy discusses American activist, Fanny Lou Hamer. Priscilla French presents on her 2nd great aunt Blanche Ames Ames — suffragist, political activist, inventor, artist, and writer — true Renaissance woman. Valerie Contreras Fagin moderates. For more information about this program, as well as all library happenings, visit the Portsmouth Public Library's website at www.portsmouthnh.gov.

A recording of Using Derivative History Sources to Find Primary Sources, a workshop by John M. Barr of Old Northwest Genealogy, presented for the Portsmouth Public Library (NH) on July 18, 2024. In this talk, genealogy expert John Barr unveils the hidden power of derivative sources - history books packed with family clues! Learn how these books act as breadcrumbs, leading you to even richer records that bring your ancestors' lives to life. John shows you how to find these gems using powerful tools and proper citation techniques. Thanks to our co-sponsor, The Ranger Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)! John M. Barr is the proprietor of Old Northwest Genealogy, an Indiana-based genealogy research company. He is an active member of The Association of Professional Genealogist and has served as President of the Indiana Chapter of the APG. Find John at https://oldnorthwestgenealogy.com/.

A recording of Portsmouth's Buried History: A Who's Who of Notables Resting in Our Historic Cemeteries, a Local History Talk given by Sue Sterry. Presented for the Portsmouth Public Library (NH) on May 22, 2024. Portsmouth's past isn't confined to dusty books. It's literally underfoot! Explore our historic cemeteries, dating back to 1620, and meet the fascinating residents who helped build our city and nation. Local researcher and Cemetery Committee Co-Chair, Sue Sterry, leads us through Portsmouth’s historic cemeteries from the comfort of the library’s Levenson Room.