Whittier House Welcomes Portsmouth Historians
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J Dennis Robinson and Maryellen Burke at the Isles of ShaolsAMESBURY -- The Whittier Home Museum members and guests welcome seacoast historians Maryellen Burke and J. Dennis Robinson at an upcoming tea on Thursday, June 7 at 2:00 pm. Portsmouth “history couple” will reveal hidden secrets from the ongoing archaeological dig at the Isles of Shoals. Burke and Robinson, who recently appeared on the Travel Channel’s “Mysteries at the Museum” TV series, are stewards of Smuttynose Island. (Continued below)

 

 

NOTE: This one is over, but here are SOME PHOTOS WE TOOK

 

Burke is executive director of the newly renovated Discover Portsmouth Center where the exhibit is running through August 31. She is also director of the Portsmouth Marine Society that published the colorful new book that details archaeological discoveries made recently on Smuttynose. Archaeologists have found evidence of Native American visits to the island as early as 6,000 years ago and discovered the location of a very early tavern from the 1600s. They have also confirmed that the Shoals were, indeed, a key staging area for hundreds of European fisherman who dried cod that brough high prices in the European market. Robinson, the editor of SeacoastNH.com, is the author of the new book and curator of the exhibit.

Maryellen Burke will draw connections between poet John Greenleaf Whittier and the Isles of Shoals where Whittier and his sister Elizabeth were frequent visitors. The Amesbury Quaker visited Smuttynose Island, site of the historic “dig” and Appledore Island where he was friendly with island poet Celia Thaxter. Thaxters famous island garden is still maintained there today by the Shoals Marine Lab.

Whittier made frequent trips to the New Hampshire seacoast and wrote a number of famous poems based on legendary figures there. He was fascinated by the supernatural legend of Hampton’s Jonathan Moulton, who attempted to trick the devil, and by condemned New Hampshire “witch” Goody Cole.

The exhibit “Under the Isles of Shoals” is free to the public and open daily 10am to 5pm at Discover Portsmouth, located at 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH in the old library building, now converted to a visitor center.

Join us for this special afternoon program and tea at the Whittier Home Museum, 86 Friend Street, Amesbury on June 7 at 2 pm. Guest donation $5.00; members free.

For more information call The Whittier Home, 978 388.1337.

About Whittier Home Association

The mission of the Whittier Home Association is to act as steward for the preservation of the collections, structures and grounds of this John Greenleaf Whittier Home. As a nonprofit, educational organization, we strive to engage diverse audiences in the life-story of Whittier in his roles as a Quaker, a Writer and an Abolitionist. We accomplish this by providing access to the home, collections and archival material, complemented with public programs, exhibits and publications.

 

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