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What: Gallery talk -- Topic: Collecting John Paul Jones: America’s First Action Hero” -- Where: Discover Portsmouth Center, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH – Who: J. Dennis Robinson, historian -- followed by tour of the exhibit at the John Paul Jones House -- When: October 29 11am -- How Much: Free and open to the public

Everyone knows his name, but few know his story. The real John Paul Jones was born in Scotland and spent more than a year in New Hampshire during the American Revolution. A jealous genius, Jones (not his real name) was a complex self-made naval hero on a quest for glory.

Historian J. Dennis Robinson tells the thrilling story illustrated with images from his own extensive collection of “Jonesiana”. Robinson shows how America rejected Jones, then used his name and image to sell everything from whiskey, cigarettes, and women’s clothing to recruitment in the US Navy.

This is part of our series of lectures that accompany the exhibit John Paul Jones, American Naval Hero: Real and Imagined, which will be at the John Paul Jones House through October 31. Please contact Sandra Rux at 436-8420 for more information.

The John Paul Jones House museum, operated by the Portsmouth Historical Society is open from 11-5 seven days a week through October 31. This is the last lecture of the season before we close until May 2012.

Late 19th century Haveana Cigar metal hand-painted sign
from the "Robinson Collection"