Portsmouth Historic Sites Association holds Annual Twilight Tour

Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read

PORTSMOUTH — For the first time since 2019, the Portsmouth Historic Sites Association will hold its popular Twilight Tour this year, on Friday, Aug. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m.  Hours are extended this year to allow time to visit the expanded roster of sites.  Come see what’s new at each organization—including new exhibitions, new displays, new acquisitions, and new research.  Our members have been busy behind the scenes and have much to share after the pandemic-induced hiatus.

Warner House Candlelight
Warner House Candlelight

Among the highlights this year:

  • “Heavy Metal:  Base Metal Ware in America, 1550–1850,” a major loan exhibition at Warner House.

  • A treasure trove of John Paul Jones memorabilia recently given by Dr. and Mrs. James C. Bradford is on view at the John Paul Jones House.

  • A newly restored parlor of the 1760s-1770s at the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden.

  • At Historic New England’s John Langdon House, learn about new research focusing on Gov. John Langdon, Cyrus Bruce, and other members of the Portsmouth community.

  • At the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion, a stunning new installation of reproduction eighteenth-century flocked wallpaper and learn about its manufacture and installation.

  • At the Black Heritage Trail of NH, an exhibition about Rock Rest, the famous summer guest house for Black travelers operated by Hazel and Clayton Sinclair in Kittery.

  • The Portsmouth Athenaeum will open a new loan exhibition devoted to maritime painter and writer George S. Wasson (1855-1912) of Kittery.

  • The Gov. Goodwin Mansion at Strawbery Banke Museum, a Victorian masterpiece, will be open for the evening.

  • The Wentworth-Gardner House has an exhibition on “Repurposing Portsmouth,” examining how historic architecture has been adapted for new uses over time.

Tickets, which include admission and discounts at member sites for the remainder of the season, are $20 in advance ($25 day of) for adults and $10 for children.  For tickets, go to www.portsmouthhistoric.org/events and follow the provided link, or call Stephanie Hewson at 603-430-7968, or Andy Goodell at 603-433-9505. For more information and links to member organizations, visit our website at www.portsmouthhistoric.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth Historic Sites Association holds Annual Twilight Tour