St John's Fall Tour

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About Portsmouth

Portsmouth, New Hampshire "A Distinctive Destination"

Designated by The National Trust for Historic Preservation on February 7,2008

The nation’s third oldest city, Portsmouth was settled in 1623 as a ship building and fishing community located at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. The city today remains a maritime destination featuring a lively blend of history, coastal beauty and entertainment. Celebrating the 385th anniversary of its founding, Portsmouth offers everything from historic buildings (housing elegant restaurants and artisan boutiques), to jazz clubs and sidewalk cafes; from the Black Heritage Trail, where markers trace the roots of African Americans in New Hampshire to the one-hour walking Underbelly Tour which provides a glimpse into Portsmouth’s grittier history. It has been said that there is something here for every age and interest!

"Portsmouth is a place that is not only defined as a 'Distinctive Destination' by history, it is a place that helps define many aspects of the history of our nation, thanks to the blend of preservation and interpretation championed by so many active community groups."
Margeurite Mathews, President of the Portsmouth Historical Society .

John Paul Jones House (1758)

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Owned by the Portsmouth Historical Society, it has collections of furniture, paintings, costumes and nautical artifacts. John Paul Jones lived here while supervising the building of the Ranger and the America.

Moffett-Ladd House (1763)

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An elegant mansion of three stories, filled with furniture and portraits from the Portsmouth area. William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived here.

Warner House (1716)

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One of the finest examples of a brick urban mansion. The murals on the stairway wall are stunning. It is said that Benjamin Franklin directed the installation of the house’s lightning rod.

Portsmouth Athenaeum (1817)

The building was bought in 1823 by a group of businessmen to house their collections of books, paintings and artifacts - highlighting 400 years of maritime history in both New Hampshire and Southern Maine. It is still privately owned.

History of St. John's

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Our church, built in 1807 on the site of a wooden building which burned, has a long and interesting history. It dates back to the founding of Portsmouth in 1623 (then known as Strawbery Banke).

In pre-Revolutionary days, St. John’s was called Queen’s Chapel, and among the treasures saved from the fire was some fine communion silver given by Queen Caroline of England in 1732.

Another rare object is a “Vinegar Bible,” dating back to 1717, so named due to a printer’s misspelling of “Vineyard.” Close by is a Colonial Prayer Book with pages pasted in, substituting
prayers for the American President instead of the King of England.

Over the course of its long history, St. John’s has consistently welcomed all who enter its doors, as well as reaching out to help with many current issues in the wider world. We enjoy the fellowship, outstanding music and a genuine spirit of caring in a lively congregation of all ages.