In the twentieth century the part of the site nearest to the cove would become an outdoor history museum, also called Strawbery Banke. But for Captain Neal and the others this river bank was simply a suitable place for planting and trade.



Below is a map of the outdoor museum. Although you cannot read the print, the map gives you an idea of the number of buildings involved.





Jones House

Joshua Jones was probably typical of many men in eighteenth century Portsmouth who possessed no special skills, but who worked hard at a variety of jobs, provided well for their families, and comprised the backbone of the community. Jones at various times listed himself as yeoman, farmer, weigher of grains, truckman, and trader.





Aldrich House

Thomas Bailey Aldrich became well known at the age of nineteen with the publication of a sentimental poem, "The Ballad of Babie Bell", in New York in 1855. He was soon accepted into the city's literary and artistic circles not only on the basis of his talent, but also because of his engaging personality and wit.

One lifetime friendship to emerge from this period was that with Edwin Booth, the actor. It was Aldrich, more than any other, who stood by Booth during his ordeal of vicious threats and cruel remarks following the assassination of President Lincoln by the actor's brother.





Pitt Tavern

William Pitt Tavern was built in 1766 by John Stavers, an Englishman. Taverns such as Stavers' provided lodgings for travellers, but were equally important as gathering places for the local citizenry. The Tavern played a vital role in the community as a clearing house for information. Here newspapers could be found, local news and gossip exchanged, politics discussed, business deals confirmed. It also served as a meeting place for special groups.

Stavers' tavern was designed so that the entire third floor could serve as a lodge room, well removed from the comings and goings in the rest of the tavern. The addition of the lodge room made Stavers' hotel exceptionally tall at a time when there were few three-story buildings in Portsmouth





Sherburne House

When Captain John Sherburne built this home in 1695 more than sixty years after the first settlement on the Piscataqua, he built it in wood, which earlier Englishmen could do before timber was depleted there, and continued to frame and decorate the house in ways his English grandfather might have recognized.





Goodwin House

The Goodwin Mansion is one of the few buildings moved to Strawbery Banke because of its historical significance. Its owner, Ichabod Goodwin, served for two years as Governor of New Hampshire at the beginning of the Civil War.

The brick house was built in 1811 by a bricklayer, James Hazeltine, for speculation. He sold it in 1814 for $3,000 (that's right-three thousand dollars) which not only covered the cost but also gave him a tidy profit. It changed hands once again before Goodwin bought it in 1832.





Stoodley's Tavern

The tavern was home to James Stoodley and his wife, a daughter Elizabeth, a son William, and two enslaved Africans Frank and Flora. The building contained four rooms on the first floor, four more on the second, two rooms and a long ballroom on the third floor.

In the 1770s, Stoodley's Tavern became important as a gathering place for those disaffected from British rule in America.



Portrait of Paul Revere.

In December 1774 Paul Revere delivered a warning to Portsmouth that British troops were on their way to secure the arms at Fort William and Mary.



Local patriots immediately raided the fort on two consecutive days, seized it, and carried away its powder and cannon. The only overt Revolutionary action on New Hampshire soil, this small event has acquired a powerful place in the iconography and self-perception of New Hampshire citizens who are quick to point out that it preceded the battle at Lexington and Concord by four months.



There are a lot of things to see and do in New Hampshire, some of which are shown on the next page. Click on the license plate below and take a look.