Quick History Stops: Portsmouth, NH | Part 1

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During my trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire back in September of last year, I made several Quick History Stops around the city, from a garden and cemetery near the waterfront to public art and historic buildings around town. The city is highly walkable with ample sidewalks and places to rest, which makes exploring accessible to anyone with time and energy. In fact, I explored so many places that this will be a four-part mini-series! Today’s Quick History Stops are Prescott Park, Sheafe Wharf, and Memorial Bridge.

 Prescott Park, a massive lawn interspersed with lush flower gardens. In the distance are ornamental trees, Portsmouth Harbor, and bright blue skies with puffy clouds 

Prescott Park

As a rare public space named after women, Prescott Park was created by the Prescott sisters, Mary and Josie, in the 1930s. According to the Seacoast New Hampshire blog, the millionaire sisters used money inherited from their older brother, Charles E. Prescott, to tear down nearly all the waterfront buildings and turn the area into a park. Upon her death in 1954, Josie gifted the park and accompanying trust fund to city of Portsmouth.

Located across the street from Strawbery Banke, the flower gardens on the property are beautifully maintained and the perfect photo opportunity for flower enthusiasts. Another section of Prescott Park holds Wilcox Main Stage, which hosts events like the Prescott Park Arts Festival. An event was going on at the time of my visit, so the stage area was overcrowded and loud. Both those who enjoy talented musicians and local food, along with those who prefer meditative solitude while strolling through a garden, should check for upcoming events before visiting the space.

Another view of Prescott Park, facing towards Strawbery Banke across the street. Beautiful, well-maintained flower gardens intersperse the lush green lawn in the shade of many ornamental trees. The bright blue sky is rife with puffy white clouds. A tall flagpole at the far edge of the park holds an American flag

Not far from the garden, an informational sign overlooking the harbor tells the story of local artist Thomas Palmer Moses. This vibrant 19th century figure dabbled in art, music, poetry, and an autobiography that appears to be loose with the facts. His paintings of Portsmouth Harbor, as displayed on the sign, show off his realistic but folksy style. The digital original of the sign is available on the City of Portsmouth website for those who want to learn more.

A light blue informational sign with the Portsmouth, New Hampshire insignia describing the life of Thomas Palmer Moses. A bright pink flower with a bumble bee emerging from the center

Sheafe Warehouse

Perched on a little pier jutting into Portsmouth Harbor, Sheafe Warehouse is a restored remnant from the “Age of Sailing” in maritime New England. The warship Ranger, sailed during the American Revolution by local hero John Paul Jones, was supposedly decked out near this warehouse, but I cannot fathom that a warship could be brought so close to shore. However, the warehouse is in a different location than it was in the late 18th century. The building originally sat near Point of Graves Cemetery, which I will cover in a future blog post. The Prescott sisters bought and moved the building during their quest to create Prescott Park. The informational sign for Sheafe Warehouse is also available on the City of Portsmouth Website. Today, the warehouse is used as an exhibit space for local organizations, such as New Hampshire Art Association and Gundalow Company. An exhibit on the history and ecology of the area was being set up on the days when I visited the warehouse.

Side view of Sheafe Warehouse, a restored 18th century wharf building. The sides are unpainted. The building sits on a pier surrounded on three sides by greenish-blue water from the Harbor. The sky is bright blue with white, puffy clouds. Harbor view of Sheafe Warehouse; the second story of the building overhangs the first story by about ten feet Park view of Sheafe Warehouse; the side facing the park has a large pair of gray doors allowing a full car to drive in. The second story has a smaller pair of doors. Above the doors is a beam supporting a pulley. Informational Sign for Sheafe Warehouse; a light blue sign with the Portsmouth, New Hampshire insignia describing the history of Sheafe Warehouse. The sign includes black and white photographs of the warehouse and two maps displaying its change in location.

Memorial Bridge

Regular readers of this blog will know that I appreciate a good bridge, and Memorial Bridge connecting Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME is no exception. Originally built in 1923 after WWI, demolitioned in 2012, and rebuilt in 2013, this structure commemorates veterans from the Great War along with demonstrating excellence in bridge construction. The first designer, J. A. L. Waddell, specialized in vertical lifts bridges. The center portion of the bridges lifts to allow taller boats to pass underneath, similar to the design of the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge, which I had visited the month before. The lifting process is viewable from a platform with a veterans memorial, informational signage, and picnic tables right by the bridge. Of course, a digital version of the sign can be viewed online. 

Memorial Bridge Sign; A brown metal sign on the first overhead steel beam on the bridge. The sign reads 'MEMORIAL TO THE SAILORS AND SOLDIERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE WOLD WAR 1917-1919.' To the left of the sign is the shield of the United States, and beneath the shield is the year 1923. To the right of the sign is the shield of Portsmouth, and beneath the shield is the year 2013. Amove the sign is a metal bald eagle with outstretched wings. Memorial Bridge Informational Sign; a light blue sign with the Portsmouth insignia describing memorial bridge. The sign has black-and-white pictures of the old bridge, colored pictures of the new bridge, and a map of the estuary. Memorial Bridge Informational Sign and Plaques; at the center is the informational sign. To the left is a long metal plaque affixed to a vertical stone describing the workforce on the World War Memorial Bridge. To the right of the sign is an identical vertical stone, this one with two metal plaques. The upper plaque is the Waddell patent for the bridge. The lower plaque lists government officials at the time of the original bridge construction.

In addition to being an amazing structure to see in person, this bridge has its own website, Living Bridge, run by the University of New Hampshire. This “smart bridge” is covered with water turbine powered sensors, allowing engineers to monitor the health of the structure, the flow of water through the estuary, and the effects of the turbine. An interactive 3D model allows aspiring engineers to learn remotely about the many mechanical systems working the bridge.

 Panorama of Memorial Bridge, including the full lift bridge its sign. The bridge is made from enormous bluish-gray steel triangles. The lifting portion in the center is hoisted to the top of tall metal towers by massive chains. The sky and water are perfectly blue. 

As a last treat before you go, here is an admittedly low quality video demonstrating the raising and lowering of the Memorial Bridge to let a boat through. If you listen closely, you can hear the warning bells sounding over the wind. Enjoy!

Location: Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA