Portsmouth's John Paul Jones house turns 90 today

Jul 15, 2010 — Foster's Daily Democrat

Roni Reino

Jul. 15, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- PORTSMOUTH -- The John Paul Jones house celebrates its 90th anniversary today with 25-cent admission.

Before 1920, the old Purcell mansion on the corner of Middle and State Streets was scheduled for demolition in preparation of an insurance company office and parking lot. Instead, a group of citizens banded together to save the house John Paul Jones had lodged in while waiting for the completion of the ship "America" at Langdon shipyards.

Since then the Portsmouth Historical Society -- as that group was named -- has welcomed thousands to the house and preserved one of the many connections between Portsmouth and America's past.

On July 15, 1920, the Society opened the doors of the John Paul Jones House Museum for the first time. In celebration of that day, they will open on Thursday, July 15, and charge a 25-cent admission fee instead of the regular $6. Children under 12 are admitted free as well as members of the military and active duty military families.

"That was the original charge for the museum," Sandra Rex of the Portsmouth Historical Society said. "I'm hoping that we'll have a lot of people show up."

In addition to 25-cent admission to all of the museum exhibitions and displays, visitors will see highlights from the society's 90 years of collecting Portsmouth stories and artifacts.

The during the evening the society will host a 90th Anniversary Garden Party with refreshments and a guest appearance by the Leftist Marching Band. There will be a $10 admission for the garden festivities which helps support the society's Collections Fund.

The 90th anniversary is also an opportunity for the Portsmouth Historical Society to note its success in reaching benchmarks for the Discover Portsmouth Center. The City Council recently announced that Portsmouth has secured a $140,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block for energy improvements to the Discover Portsmouth Center.

In addition the NH Charitable Foundation has committed $60,000 in operations support over the next three years and additional funds are anticipated from the N.H. State Conservation Committee. The City Council also voted unanimously to pass a Resolution in favor of the Society's nomination of Portsmouth as a "Preserve America Community" which allows the application for that designation to move forward at the national level.

"The Portsmouth Historical Society is just as proactive today as we were in saving the John Paul Jones House in 1920," said Portsmouth Historical Society President Joshua Scott. "It is our mission to preserve and educate, but it is also our vision to make Portsmouth history relevant, to help sustain the stories we and all of our partners at the Discover Portsmouth Center and in the city tell about where we've come from and who we are."

The John Paul Jones House Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for 25-cent tours. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., guests are welcome to participate in the Garden Party for $10 a person. No reservations are required. For more information about programs, events and membership: call 603-436-8420.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1268-46999240