Jackson House
Portsmouth, NH


Photo courtesy of SeacoastNH.com Early Images.

The oldest surviving wood frame house in New Hampshire and Maine (1664) was built by Richard Jackson, a woodworker, farmer, and mariner, on his family's 25-acre plot. At that time, timber from the region's abundant pine forests formed the basis of the economy. The extensive Piscataqua riverway powered scores of sawmills and linked the hinterlands to the sea and distant ports. Jackson's house resembles English post-medieval prototypes, but is notably American in its extravagant use of wood. Succeeding generations added a lean-to and more rooms to the east to accommodate several different family groups sharing the property at once. A must-see colonial house with a sloping front lawn on what was once called Portsmouth’s “Christian Shore.” A SPNEA house with a wonderful fall festival on site and fascinating guided tour.

HOURS: Open Sat and Sun, July 1 - Labor Day. Hourly tours 11an –4pm
WEBSITE: http://www.spnea.org/visit/homes/jackson.htm
ADMISSION: $6 admission, SPNEA and Portsmouth residents free
PHONE: (603) 436-3205
ADDRESS: 76 Northwest Street Portsmouth, NH 03802
DIRECTIONS: Take I-95 to Exit 7 (Market Street). Bear right after the railroad tracks. Turn right onto Deer Street. Turn left onto Maplewood Avenue. Turn right onto Northwest Street.
LINKS: An 1869 Account,