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Strawbery Banke Museum is hosting a Community Day to benefit the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. On August 7th, from 10am-5pm, admission to the Museum is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item, per person. So you get to see all those extraordinary historic houses, support those who could us a little help this summer, and get outdoors by the river.(Details below)

Food pantries have been suffering with the economic recession and are struggling to stock their shelves. Unexpectedly, August is the month with the most food requests. The Seacoast Family Food Pantry has recently seen a dramatic increase in the number of people entering their doors. On average, they serve 800 people per month, a feat that costs roughly $20,000. Without regular donations, this would not be possible. 

Diane Giese, Executive Director of Seacoast Family Food Pantry, is thrilled to see the Portsmouth community taking an interest. "We are delighted to be the recipient of food donations on Community Day at Strawbery Banke Museum. Seacoast Family Food Pantry, the oldest NH social service agency dating to 1816 and Strawbery Banke Museum, in one of NH's oldest neighborhoods, is a great pairing! We are honored to be recognized on Community Day and encourage everyone to visit the fabulous gardens and history filled homes of Strawbery Banke Museum, a true treasure right around the corner. At the same time you will be helping your neighbors and friends who need some food assistance. This is a great collaboration and we hope to see everyone there."  

Strawbery Banke Museum is eager to help out the local food pantries. In addition to the normal activities such as tours, costumed role-players, hearth cooking, coopering and pottery demonstrations, garden programs and the Painting Portsmouth art exhibit, the Museum has also arranged for the ReMax Hot Air Balloon to be on site. The balloon, weather permitting, will be giving rides to visitors and providing them with a birds-eye view of the Museum and downtown Portsmouth. While enjoying all the Museum has to offer, make sure to take a moment to listen to the live traditional Celtic music being played by the three-piece band Ballymac.  

Strawbery Banke Museum President, Lawrence Yerdon, is looking forward to the event. "Saturday is special day to welcome visitors to the museum, whether they have been to the museum before or are visiting for the first time, and share the unique exhibits, rich heritage, and compelling stories of the Puddle Dock neighborhood that make Strawbery Banke Museum such an important part of the history of Portsmouth."  

For more information, please visit Strawbery Banke Museum's website at www.strawberybanke.orgor contact Jonathan Brown, Strawbery Banke's Visitor Services Manager, at 603-433-1110.  

About Strawbery Banke Museum

Connect with the Past! Step into 400 years of living in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. Strawbery Banke provides the opportunity to see how people lived for four centuries of New England history. Through restored furnished houses, exhibits, historic landscapes and gardens, and costumed role players, Strawbery Banke interprets the living history of generations who settled in Portsmouth, NH, from the late 17th century to the mid-20th century. Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH, is open May 1 through October 31, 10 to 5 daily. Call 603-433-1100 for more information on admission or visit strawberybanke.org.