Portsmouth, New Hampshire
New England charm permeates the historic town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Located on the mouth of the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth is a cultural gathering place for young and old alike looking to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a classic New England community. Historic buildings and places dot the Portsmouth landscape along with museums and tours of historically significant places and the people who made them so.
Portsmouth was first settled in 1623 as “Piscataqua”, the Native American word for “the area where a river divides”. The name was soon changed to “Strawberry Banke” due to the naturally growing wild strawberries on the banks of the Piscataqua River and eventually Portsmouth. Portsmouth’s location was perfect for that of a port town with industrious towns like Dover and Rochester just upstream. Portsmouth was primarily a fishing and shipbuilding community but trade with incoming as well as outgoing vessels turned this town into a center for trade and shipping for many years. The town was named in honor of John Mason, one of the area’s earliest grantees. Mason was captain of the port in Portsmouth, England in the county of Hampshire, for which the state is named. Portsmouth was incorporated as a town in 1653 and incorporated as a city in 1849.
Portsmouth has a strong history ranging from becoming the state’s first capital and harboring refugees exiled from Puritan Massachusetts to receiving Paul Revere and his accompanying warning of the British invasion. There are several museums in town including the famous “Strawberry Banke”, one of Portsmouth’s oldest neighborhoods. Strawberry Banke features over a dozen homes and buildings showing off their restored Colonial, Georgian and Federal architecture. Guided tours bring visitors over three-hundred years into the past, experiencing nearly all the aspects of daily life in a growing colonial settlement. Right across the street can be found Prescott Park, a riverside park with brick walking paths, amazing gardens and live entertainment.
The center of Portsmouth is now lined with small shops and cafes. The yearly “Market Square Day” draws crowds from all over the area to try different types of foods, hear new and local bands, see historic re-enactments, take tours of historic buildings, and enjoy children’s activities such as face painting, water balloon fights and, of course, eating. The Pease International Tradeport gives local residents easy air travel all over the country while I-95, Route 1 and Route 1A allow for convenient travel to local destinations. The largest city on the New Hampshire seacoast, Portsmouth has a little something for everyone.
Portsmouth is a member of SAU #52. Portsmouth maintains three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school for its school-age children. Several other towns have their high school children tuitioned at the very large Portsmouth High School.
Portsmouth is pure New England, through and through. If you’d like to become a part of this community or any other wonderful New Hampshire town, all it takes is one phone call to Jim Miller Bean Group at (603) 801-3987. We’ll get you started down the road to home-ownership in the Granite State by answering your questions and conscientiously guiding you through the home buying process. We’re here to help – call today!
Elementary Schools
Dondero Elementary School (k-5)
(603) 436-2231
Little Harbour Elementary School (k-5)
(603) 436-1708
New Franklin Elementary School (k-5)
(603) 436-0910
Middle School
Portsmouth Middle School (6-8)
(603) 436-5781
High School
Portsmouth High School (9-12)
(603) 436-7100
