Portsmouth Historical Society and the City of Portsmouth are gearing up for Portsmouth's 400th Anniversary in 2023. You can help!

1. Celebrating 400 years
on the New Hampshire Seacoast
1623-2023

2. An inclusive celebration of
the diverse and dramatic evolution
of New Hampshire’s only seaport, a proud city
where our history shapes our future.

3.  We will not just “blow out
candles” in 2023. We will
layer in new programs
and events each year up to
2023 and beyond.
 Portsmouth 400 belongs
to everyone in the city. By
encouraging all to join
the dialogue and offer
ideas, we will create a
shared sense of ownership
in the celebration and
build stewardship that
will keep these programs
alive in the future.

4.  We will begin by identifying key
themes to spotlight: the arts,
community, history, sustainability,
diversity, economic vitality, civic
life and volunteerism, accessibility,
etc.
 We will stress how Portsmouth’s
engaged community understands
the importance of civic life and our
history.
 How do we pass the torch to the
next generation so they become
the stewards of Portsmouth and its
history?

5.  We will focus primarily on
Portsmouth programs and events.
 We will loop in regional and
state partnerships secondarily
as they evolve.

6.  Re-enforce our image as a city
where residents enjoy living, are
involved, exhibit civic pride,
address challenges, have hope
and confidence in the future.
 Use Portsmouth 400 as a
deadline to accomplish/highlight
many of our goals:
 Master Plan
 Prescott Park
 City Gateways
 Wayfinding & Parking
 Bicycle & Walking Paths

7.  Portsmouth has celebrated its key
anniversaries since 1823.
 City is famous for celebrations
like Portsmouth Peace Treaty,
Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth,
Market Square Day, etc.
 We have established Sister Cities
in England, Russia, Ireland,
Japan, Italy and Ghana.
 Portsmouth shares in spirit of
“Plymouth 400” and other
regional/national anniversaries

8.  Establish partnership between
City + Portsmouth Historical
Society (PHS)
 Create multi-member
representative Steering Committee
staffed by PHS
 PHS acts as convener and
clearinghouse for all who want to
produce activities, lectures,
demonstrations, tours, events.

9.  Steering Committee – provides oversight, planning, organization,
implementation of vision
 PHS staff position – Portsmouth 400 Director manages day to
day planning, administration, execution
 PHS creates funding/marketing umbrella
to foster alliance of all participants under a unified agency
 PHS will ensure that core programs happen while encouraging
independent projects and ideas (Surprise us!)
 For example: Piscataqua Maritime Commission (PMC) continues
to contract/run tall ship visits while coordinating with PHS to
ensure seamless schedule, theme, promotion.

10.  Steering Committee co-chairs – with succession plan
 Steering Committee members: discuss criteria for selection
 Special Task Force Teams
 Municipal: City committees
 Orbiting experts: on call for knowledge
 Advisory council of elders
 Key individuals, nonprofits, corporations, benefactors

11.  Begin to populate the Steering Committee
 Create page on PHS website with powerpoint, job description, how to
sign up for 400 Enews + make donations
 Advertise for Director of Portsmouth 400, with Steering Committee
acting as Selection Committee
 Reach out to Portsmouth leaders

12.  We share a deep, vibrant
celebration of our unique
heritage with all.
 City enjoys an economic
and marketing boom.
 A new generation becomes
stewards of Portsmouth
and its history.
 Portsmouth becomes bold
national model for
sustainable growth that
integrates arts,
humanities, preservation
and maritime culture.