Strawbery Banke Presents
HISTORIC PORTSMOUTH #230

In 1789 our first president, and America’s largest slaveholder, toured New England. George Washington made his triumphant ride up Congress St. (formerly King Street) on October 31 and entered the Old State House in the center of The Parade. (Continued below)

HISTORIC PHOTOS of the Greater Portsmouth Area appear here week

 Historic Hubbub in Market Square

As he stood on the balcony a chorus sang three long odes beginning "Behold he comes! Columbia’s pride." This illustration from a 1925 calendar actually depicts the reading of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, but offers an insight on the historic hoopla repeated during Washington’s visit two decades later. Washington attended church, dined with the Langdons, met the mother of his secretary Tobias Lear, stopped by the Pitt Tavern, attended a dance, and had his portrait painted. He left town early on November 4 and stopped at Exeter on his way to Haverhill. We’ve been talking about the visit ever since. (Courtesy of Richard M. Candee)

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George Washington's Seacoast Tour

 Old State House Not Resotred