Portsmouth Athenaeum
Portsmouth, NH


Photo courtesy of SeacoastNH.com Early Images.

Private libraries existed before the creation of America’s public facilities. Established in Portsmouth’s Market Square in 1817, the Portsmouth Athenaeum is a nonprofit membership library with limited access and exhibits for the public. The slender Federal-style four-story building was constructed in 1805. In the addition to the downstairs reading room, the athenaeum includes the Randall Gallery with ongoing exhibits free to visitors. Fully accessible to an organization of over 300 proprietors, the Athenaeum contains a superb collection of Portsmouth area historical archives and artifacts. Researchers should call for information about hours and access. The Joseph P. Copley Research Center is available for the study of local history, literature and culture, with over 40,000 volumes on hand, plus images and manuscripts. Call for latest gallery exhibit.

HOURS: Copley and Randall Rooms: Tue, Thu, 1 - 4pm, Sat, 10am - 4pm
WEBSITE: http://www.portsmouthathenaeum.org/index.html
ADMISSION: Free, donatoins accepted
PHONE: (603) 431-2538
ADDRESS: 9 Market Square Portsmouth, NH 03802
DIRECTIONS: Find the center of Market Square across from the North Church spire and look for the two upside down cannons. Visitors enter door on left in Foye Building next door for exhibits and library.
LINKS: More pictures, Sample exhibit,