1603Culture
== History ==
=== European settlement ===
The first European to explore and write about the area was Martin Pring in 1603.
1630Government
The west bank of the harbor was settled by European colonists in 1630 and named Strawbery Banke, after the many wild strawberries growing there.
1645Architecture
=== Colonial development and slavery ===
Enslaved Africans were imported as laborers as early as 1645 and were integral to building the city's prosperity.
1653Government
At the town's incorporation in 1653, it was named "Portsmouth" in honor of the colony's founder, John Mason.
1725Architecture
Buckminster House – built in 1725, formerly a funeral parlor.
1771Government
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse – first established in 1771, the current structure was built in 1878 and is open for monthly tours from May through September.
1774Military
=== American Revolution ===
In 1774, in the lead-up to the Revolution, Paul Revere rode to Portsmouth warning that the British Royal Navy was coming to capture the port.
1775Crime
Although Fort William and Mary protected the harbor, the Patriot government moved the capital inland to Exeter to avoid threats from the Royal Navy, which bombarded Falmouth (no...
1779Military
In 1779, 19 enslaved African Americans from Portsmouth wrote a petition to the state legislature requesting the abolition of slavery, citing their war contributions and the prin...
1781Military
In 1781–1782, naval hero John Paul Jones lived in Portsmouth while supervising construction of his ship Ranger, which was built on nearby Badger's Island in Kittery.
1788History
Constitution in 1788, it became the ninth and decisive state needed to establish the federal government.
1800Military
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, established in 1800 as the first federal navy yard, is located on Seavey's Island in Kittery, Maine.
1807Economy
=== 19th century development ===
Thomas Jefferson's 1807 embargo against American trade with Britain severely disrupted New England's trade with Canada, causing several local bu...
1812Military
Portsmouth hosted numerous privateers during the War of 1812.
1813Disaster
The most destructive fire occurred in 1813 when 244 buildings burned.
1849Government
In 1849, Portsmouth was incorporated as a city.
1857History
New Hampshire abolished slavery in 1857, by which time the institution was effectively extinct in the state.
1878Architecture
The Music Hall – a 900-seat theater opened in 1878.
1885Architecture
Built in 1885, it is a prominent early example of Colonial Revival architecture.
1905Military
The facility gained international prominence as the site of the 1905 signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth which ended the Russo-Japanese War.
1906Military
Roosevelt received the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts in ending the war.
1912Government
Gilley's Diner – Known as Portsmouth's original diner, established in 1912 as a horse-drawn lunch wagon, and now housed in a 1940s lunch cart permanently located at 175 Fleet St...
1917Government
Portsmouth Historical Society – founded in 1917, includes museum galleries, a gift shop, welcome center, walking tours, and operates the John Paul Jones House.
1953Military
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's contribution to submarine technology advanced significantly with the construction of the experimental USS Albacore in 1953.
1956Military
=== Military developments ===
During World War II, Portsmouth Municipal Airport was expanded and converted to military use, eventually becoming Pease Air Force Base in 1956.
1964History
In 1964, federal funds were allocated to the North End project area for urban renewal.
1968Architecture
In 1968, Portsmouth Preservation Inc., a preservation organization, was formed to save some of the historic building stock slated for redevelopment.
1972History
This revolutionary research submarine pioneered the teardrop hull design that became standard for all modern submarines and set world underwater speed records during its service...
1974Culture
Prescott Park Arts Festival – summer entertainments in Portsmouth's waterfront park since 1974.
1975Infrastructure
The hottest temperature recorded in Portsmouth was 104 °F (40.0 °C) on August 2, 1975, while the coldest temperature recorded was −26 °F (−32.2 °C) on January 22, 1984.
1977Culture
Portsmouth annually celebrates the revitalization of its downtown (particularly Market Square) with Market Square Day, a celebration dating back to 1977, produced by the non-pro...
1984Government
Ronald Reagan was the last Republican presidential nominee to carry the city in his 1984 landslide reelection.
1985Culture
The vessel was designated a National Historic Landmark and returned to Portsmouth as a museum in 1985.
1986Government
New Hampshire Theatre Project – founded in 1986, a non-profit theater organization producing contemporary and classical works, and offering educational programs.
1988Government
Seacoast Repertory Theatre – founded in 1988, a professional theater troupe.
1991History
The base served as a crucial component of America's nuclear deterrent until its closure in 1991 under the Base Realignment and Closure process.
1996Government
Founded in 1996, the team plays in the Northeast Division of USL League Two (USL2), one of the unofficial fourth-tier leagues of the American Soccer Pyramid.
2008Infrastructure
In 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Portsmouth one of the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations".
2010History
As of the census of 2010, there were 21,233 people, 10,014 households, and 4,736 families residing in the city.
2012Government
In 2012, Portsmouth voted 67.56% for Barack Obama in the presidential election, 70.16% for Maggie Hassan in the gubernatorial election, and 68.50% for Carol Shea-Porter in the c...
2014Government
Freedom Rugby Football Club is a men's rugby union team based in Portsmouth, founded in the summer of 2014.
2019History
Retrieved April 18, 2019 – via Boston.com.
2023Infrastructure
In 2023, it was reported that the city had 36,000 restaurant seats for a population of 22,000.
2024Education
The New England Lightning of the American Basketball Association (ABA) have played at Portsmouth High School since 2024.