Portsmouth Athenæum

A non-profit membership library, gallery, and archive, incorporated in 1817 and located in the heart of historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The third-floor Shaw Research Library and Randall Gallery are open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday. For elevator access, please call (603) 431-2538.

Check our calendar for tours of the first-floor Sawtelle Reading Room.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 3, 2024
  • Franklin Club

    April 3, 2024 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
    Portsmouth Athenaeum, 9 Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

    The Junto, also known as the Leather Apron Club, was a club for mutual improvement established in 1727 by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. The Leather Apron Club's purpose was to debate questions of morals, politics, and natural philosophy, and to exchange knowledge of business affairs.

    The Athenaeum's newly formed Franklin Club was created with this mind. Please join us on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Sawtelle Reading Room. We loosely follow the list of questions from Ben Franklin’s club, and generally chat and share thoughts about current matters of life and town in a casual manner. The Franklin Club is a great opportunity to bring new members or potential new members who are looking for an opportunity to socialize and get to know other folks that are part of the Athenaeum.

HOURS

 

Shaw Research Library &

Randall Gallery

 

Tuesday through Saturday

 

1 to 4 p.m.

 

 

Reading Room Tours

 
Volunteer Dependent
Saturdays &
Thursdays
 
1 to 2 p.m.
(Check our calendar.)

EXPLORE THE ARCHIVES

The Athenæum houses an outstanding collection of documents and artifacts relating to local history. It also preserves what is undoubtedly the finest collection in the state of materials relating to the history of New Hampshire’s only major seaport.

2024 Athenaeum Lecture Series

2024 Athenaeum Lecture Series

Every election year brings challenges, surprises and some stand-out personalities. The 2024 Athenaeum Lecture Series focuses in on electoral issues and people of importance to the electoral process, including the voter. As first in the nation, New Hampshire’s...

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Upcoming Athenaeum Concert Dates

Upcoming Athenaeum Concert Dates

SAVE THE DATES from the Athenaeum Performance Committee   ArtsAthenaeum Concert with "The Like Minds Ensemble" Friday, April 26, 2024 7:30 p.m. Sawtelle Reading Room   The Portsmouth Athenaeum Chamber Music offers this ArtsAtheneaum Concert featuring the...

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