SeacoastNH.com presents  
Historic Portsmouth #451

We just hit 450 weekly photographs in this long-running series, with no end in sight. For the last couple of years most of the images published here have come, with kind permission, from the archives at the Portsmouth Athenaeum. For those new to the region, here is an early Davis Brothers' photograph of the building where the images are conserved. (Continued below)

Portsmouth is very fortunate to have a nonprofit institution dedicated to the costly and time-consuming process of preserving the city's history. Begun as a membership  library in 1817, the Athenaeum has occupied the same building in Market Square for almost two centuries, and is one of the few surviving libraries of its kind. It is supported by 400 dues-paying "proprietors" and 100 "friends" and by contributions and public events. The Athenaeum is open to the public for research on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons. Visitors will also find an ongoing exhibit, currently a display on the history of fires and fire prevention in Portsmouth. You can take a "virtual tour" of the Atheaneum or search their online catalog at the official Web site PortsmouthAthenaeum.org. If you are interested in donating items or dollars to keep this extraordinary history facility alive, please contact Keeper Tom Hardiman at 603-431-2538.  (Courtesy Portsmouth Athenaeum)

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