Opening in April 2026, the Cousins Apartment will bring the Penhallow-Cousins House to life for the first time through an immersive installation exploring Black family life in Portsmouth’s Puddle Dock neighborhood during the 1930s and 1940s. Through archaeology, oral histories, artifacts, and community collaboration, the exhibition centers everyday life, resilience, and belonging.

Opening Summer 2026, this new exhibition in the Rowland Gallery explores Portsmouth’s role in the American Revolution through letters, objects, and decorative arts. In collaboration with leading collectors and historians, it reveals militia activity, political networks, and everyday life, including the contributions of local Black residents.

Built in 1766, the William Pitt Tavern was home and business to John Stavers and his family, serving travelers along the route between Portsmouth and Boston. By 1777, it remained an active gathering place where guests debated news and politics, offering a window into the social, civic, and commercial life of Revolutionary-era Portsmouth.

Thursday, May 14, 2025, 5:30 PM
Part of the Making History, Making Change Lecture Series organized by Smithsonian Affiliations

Join Dr. Doretha Williams, Head of the Robert F. Smith Fund at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, for an inspiring talk on how community curation and digital stewardship are preserving Black histories and strengthening partnerships nationwide.

Members $10; Nonmembers $15.

Sunday, June 14, 2026, 12–2:30 PM

Celebrate Flag Day at Strawbery Banke Museum with a ceremony, family-friendly activities, and a special US@250: Big Watch screening and discussion. Featuring an excerpt from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, the program invites reflection on civic life, service, and shared history.

Free and open to the public; advance registration encouraged.

May 9-10, 2026

Celebrate spring with a festival of gardens, hands-on activities, heritage breeds, artisans, and storytellers. This “Red, White, and Bloom” event brings to life the agricultural and cultural traditions that shaped New England communities and underscores the ongoing story of people, place, and change.

Tuesdays, June 16–August 25, 2026

Relax into summer evenings with live acoustic and Americana-inspired music set among historic houses and gardens in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. This annual concert series highlights the enduring power of music as a shared story that brings people together across generations.

July 4, 2026

Experience the joy and meaning of citizenship during a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony held at the heart of Puddle Dock, long known as a “neighborhood of newcomers.” This powerful annual tradition underscores that America’s story is one of continual arrival, belonging, and renewal.

October 16-17 & 23-24, 2026

Explore Portsmouth’s oldest neighborhood after dark during this family-friendly Halloween tradition. Meet spirits inspired by the era of America’s founding and beyond, and discover how stories, both historical and haunting, help us understand the past.

December 2026

Conclude the anniversary year with one of New England’s most beloved holiday traditions. Wander candlelit streets, tour decorated historic houses, and experience seasonal music and traditions that reflect centuries of celebration, resilience, and community.