Portsmouth NH 400 announces the long-anticipated publication of two books that look back on the commemorative events of 2023 and take stock of the “History Lights Our Way” legacy of past, present and future commemorations.
PNH400 is hosting a book launch at the Portsmouth Historical Society (10 Middle Street in Portsmouth) on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm for both History Lights Our Way, the Official Portsmouth NH 400th 2023 Commemorative Book and 400 x 400: Portsmouth NH 400th in 400 Photos, a compilation of 400th anniversary images. The event is free and open to the public and coincides with the first-Friday monthly city-wide gallery tour, Art ‘Round Town.
Both books are now available for pre-publication purchase online: Pre-Sale PortsmouthNH 400 Commemorative Books – PortsmouthHistoryShop and will be available for pick-up at the Portsmouth Historical Society on the night of the event.
The commemorative History Lights Our Way is an illustrated, 136-page, soft-cover book that captures a record of the 400th celebrations with essays contributed by 40 Portsmouth authors. The book was created by a committee that included Jody Record as editor, co-editor Chuck McMahon who organized the essay contributors, Melville Blake who researched and procured all historical images, Bob Lister who was responsible for engaging elementary and high school students to imagine the future of Portsmouth, and Valerie Rochon who contributed details on PNH400 events and legacy projects. Designed to build on Portsmouth’s 350th anniversary in 1973 the book recaps the city’s history since then, as viewed through community members’ memories. The book is also a record of PNH400 sponsors, donors, contributors and a review of 400th Anniversary events, programs and projects. The book was sponsored by the International Association of Privacy Professionals and Tiny Bully branding agency.
According to editor Jody Record, “This must-have book features articles, essays and photographs that offer a glimpse of what took place in Portsmouth during the last 50 years, told from memory. It also contains factoids from the city’s 400 year history. It’s our hope that this book will give readers a sense of how Portsmouth has grown and changed and how it remains the same, a small city by the sea whose history is worth celebrating. All of this — the essays, the articles, the factoids, along with a collection of old and recent photographs — is a way to forge a connection between the past and the present, and to celebrate the rich history that makes Portsmouth the vibrant city it is today.”
Co-editor Chuck McMahon added, “This book recounts memories ranging from throwing snowballs in the old Puddle Dock neighborhood, to the day an Air Force jet crashed, to the venerable poet Robert Dunn.”
The second book, 400 x 400: Portsmouth NH 400th in 400 Photos, showcases the best work of the ten Seacoast photographers who were deployed to cover events and programs during the 400th anniversary. Karina Quintans, who coordinated the photography team for PNH 400, commented, “I’m so thrilled that we had so much talent to draw on to document this important year. We are so appreciative of these professionals for volunteering their time. After a whirlwind summer of photo-documenting historic events, both large and small, I am struck by how great it’s been to have this team, to collaborate and coordinate around documenting these historic events, to appreciate the artistic perspective we each brought to the project while sharing our work with each other and the public, to talk shop a bit about photography and to get to know and appreciate each other. If you love Portsmouth, this book will be a wonderful keepsake of the key events of the 400th anniversary.”
Valerie Rochon, managing director for PNH400, commented, “We celebrated our anniversary with lectures, performances, exhibits, tours, a carnival, parades, a picnic, dinner in the street, music and more. These two books are treasure-troves that record the highlights of this past year, from the kickoff at Memorial Bridge on 1.6.23, to the Grand Parade, the Little Italy Carnival honoring the lost Italian North End neighborhoods, the record-breaking street.life! 400 Chamber lobster dinner for nine hundred people, Portsmouth’s first laser light show, the community picnic and dozens of other events, programs and Legacy Projects. These books complement each other and provide an opportunity for the community to savor the memories and reflect on our shared and layered history. It’s all here!”
These commemorative books join A History of Portsmouth NH in 101 Objects with essays and photographs by local contributors and Portsmouth Time Machine by J. Dennis Robinson and Robert Squier, an illustrated book for all ages which tells of the adventures of two students who use their phones to time travel and meet Portsmouth’s historic figures, both PNH400 Legacy Projects.
About the Books
History Lights Our Way
136-page soft cover with essays from local authors reflecting their memories of the last 50 years, color photos from PNH400 events and historical black and white images. Price: $19.95 Available at Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth.
400 x 400: Portsmouth NH 400th in 400 Photos
118-page, full color, hard cover. Price: $34.95 Available at Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth.
To order online at Pre-Sale PortsmouthNH 400 Commemorative Books – PortsmouthHistoryShop
About Portsmouth NH 400
The goal of Portsmouth NH 400th was to give the community an inclusive opportunity to tell the stories remove: that are important to them, through programs, events, exhibits and legacy projects. Portsmouth NH 400th celebrated the diverse and animated social, political, intellectual, cultural, economic and spiritual history of Portsmouth from before settlement in 1623 to the present. PNH400 engaged the next generation(s) in exploring what the City’s 2023 legacy might be and how they might steward Portsmouth and its history beyond 2023. The Portsmouth NH 400th anniversary celebrations were are made possible in part thanks to the support of Bank of America, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Service Credit Union, the City of Portsmouth, Seacoast Half Marathon, the Joseph G. & Jean Sawtelle Fund, Bob & Sue Thoresen, Jess & Paul McKeon Foundation, Friends of Italian Americans, Anthony DiLorenzo, Lemay Family Goodworks & Artisan Grounds, the Portsmouth Collection, Granite State Minerals, VisitNH.Gov, members of the 400 Shoalers Club and 1623 Revolutionaries Club, and additional sponsors and donors. For more information, please visit PortsmouthNH400.org.