Historic Marker Project
The City of Portsmouth continues to add historic markers to the collection of history signs scattered throughout Portsmouth’s historic downtown.
The first set of 42 markers was funded in 1973 by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Installation was completed in 1977 through a partnership between Strawbery Banke Museum, the City of Portsmouth, and the South End Association.
The original historic markers were fabricated using a “Metalphoto” process in which photographic images and typewritten text were transferred onto photosensitive aluminum sheets. The titles of some of the markers included well-known historical neighborhoods such as Puddle Dock, as well as long-absent buildings like the Morgan Oratorical Academy said to be “the first structure deliberately adapted for music and plays in New Hampshire.” Other sign topics include “The First Chapel”, “The Great Fires of Portsmouth”, “South Ropewalk”, “South Mills”, and “Franklin Foundry.”
Thanks to Capital Improvement Program funding, the original markers were replaced utilizing updated scholarship as well as modern graphic technology, color and materials. Additional markers are added from time to time.
Link to a PDF of each marker from the list below.
New City Markers Installed (2018)
Historic Markers Location Information
- Aldrich Park - located in park at Atkinson Street near Court Street
- Bow Street - located on Bow Street at corner of Ceres Street
- First Printing House in NH - located in grassy area at Howard and Pleasant Streets
- Frank Jones's Hotels - located in front of The Rockingham at 401 State Street
- Frank Jones's Maplewood Farm - located at corner of Maplewood and Woodbury Avenues
- Haven Park - located in Haven Park near Edward and Pleasant Streets
- Haymarket Square - located in grassy area on Court Street in front of Middle Street Baptist Church facing the square
- John S Blunt Painter - located along Market Street in front of Moffatt - Ladd House
- Liberty Pole and Bridge - located in Prescott Park at Marcy Street across from Strawbery Banke
- Marcy - Pettigrew Shipyard - located in grassy island at Marcy, Pleasant and South Mill Streets
- Marine Railway - behind Marine Railway building (also known as Players Ring theater) in Prescott Park
- Memorial Bridge - located at Harborwalk Park at the terminus of Daniel Street at the river
- Portsmouth Athenaeum - located in Market Square in front of Athenaeum
- Portsmouth Peace Treaty - located in front of 15 Pleasant Street
- Portsmouth Navy Yard - located near whale statue in Prescott Park
- Portsmouth's Great Fires - located in Aldrich Park at Court and Atkinson Streets
- Portsmouth-Nichinan Sister City Cherry Trees - located along the Junkins Avenue causeway traversing South Mill Pond
- Portsmouth Pier and Wharves - located in Prescott Park near the Sawtelle Pier
- Portsmouth's South Mills - located along Marcy Street near Olde Mill Fish Market
- Powder House - located in Powder House Park along Islington Street
- Red Light District - across from Liberty Pole on Marcy Street
- South Church Marker - located at 292 State Street
- South Meeting House - planned location in front of building located at 280 Marcy Street
- Sheafe Warehouse - located in Prescott Park along footpath facing Sheafe warehouse and the river
- South Ropewalk - located at South School Playground on South Street
- Spring Hill Waterfront - located at Ceres St. - Bow St. Waterfront Park
- Thomas P. Moses - located in Prescott Park along fencing between North and South docks
- Warner House Marker - located at pocket park on Daniel Street at the corner of Bow Street