
Strawbery Banke Museum Visitor's Center
Strawbery Banke Museum, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a 10-acre outdoor history museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the evolution of the Puddle Dock neighborhood over more than 350 years. Established in 1965, the museum features over 37 restored buildings dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries, showcasing architectural styles such as Colonial, Georgian, and Federal. These structures, most of which remain on their original sites, include elegant mansions, working-class homes, a colonial tavern, and a 1940s corner store.
Visitors can engage with costumed historical roleplayers who portray real individuals from the neighborhood's past, offering insights into the daily lives and experiences of former residents. The museum also hosts exhibits like "People of the Dawnland," which explores Abenaki culture, and "Water Has a Memory," addressing the impacts of sea-level rise on the historic houses.
In addition to its historic buildings and exhibits, Strawbery Banke features a dozen period-appropriate gardens with heirloom flowers and vegetables, reflecting the outdoor life of the families who lived in the neighborhood over the centuries. The museum offers seasonal events, educational programs, and workshops throughout the year, including the Candlelight Stroll, which showcases 400 years of seasonal and holiday traditions. During winter, the museum operates the Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond, a professionally maintained outdoor ice-skating rink.
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