Information about Portsmouth sites and activities
Get acquainted with Portsmouth, NH—a historic seaport city rich in maritime heritage, colonial architecture, and coastal charm. This video provides an overview of some of the remarkable attributes that make Portsmouth such a special destination for the first part of our reunion.
Learn about Portsmouth's history, attractions, and waterfront character in this informative overview
A La Carte Portsmouth Experiences: The Portsmouth "Smorgasbord"
Explore Portsmouth at your own pace with these recommended attractions and activities. Perfect for early arrivals, extended stays, or free time between scheduled events.
Langdon House
A National Historic Landmark and exceptional Georgian mansion that George Washington "esteemed the first" in Portsmouth. Features a vast central hall, elaborate carved mantelpieces, a dining room designed by Stanford White, and a 160-foot-long rose and grape arbor.
Historical Significance
John Langdon was a three-term Governor of New Hampshire, a leader during the American Revolutionary War, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, and a friend of George Washington who visited Mr. Landon in 1789. The house was also the home of Black freedman Cyrus Bruce and was connected to Ona Judge, a former slave who escaped the bondage imposed upon her by George and Martha Washington.
Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden
John Adams called this the "grandest house in Portsmouth." Tours interpret American, New Hampshire, and Portsmouth history through five generations of free and enslaved inhabitants from the pre-Revolutionary period until 1912.
Tree of Independence
The garden features a horse chestnut tree planted in 1776 by William Whipple and Prince Whipple to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence which, in 2000, was designated as New Hampshire's Millennium Landmark Tree.
USS Albacore
Built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and launched in 1953, this National Historic Landmark was the first Navy-designed vessel with a true underwater hull. Visitors can explore the control room, engineering spaces, and bunk rooms while learning from historic recordings of the voices of former crew members. On the grounds surrounding the submarine, you can experience the Memorial Garden at Albacore Park and Cabot Lyford's 'Black Dolphin' sculpture.
Record Breaker
In 1966, the USS Albacore set the record as the world's fastest submarine, attaining an underwater speed of nearly 40 mph (34.759 knots). Her motto was "Praenuntius Futuri" (Forerunner of the Future).
Strawbery Banke Museum
An outdoor living history museum featuring historic waterfront homes on their original sites, costumed roleplayers, traditional craft demos, and heirloom gardens. Artifacts span from Indigenous peoples (10,000-12,000 years ago) to English colonists (1623).
Notable Sites
- Governor Goodwin Mansion (1870 life)
- Shapiro House (1919 Jewish immigrant life)
- William Pitt Tavern (1777 Revolutionary War)
Portsmouth Historical Society
Offers video history of the city, rotating art gallery exhibits, gift shop, and walking tours exploring hidden treasures of New Hampshire's seacoast hub. Features unique mix of architecture, specialty shops, and bustling streets in a village-like setting.
Building History
Two Federal Style buildings from 1810: Thomas Morton's private home/grocery store and the Portsmouth Academy school. The combined buildings served as a city library until 2006, and now serves as the home of the Historical Society.
John Paul Jones House
Boarding house where Revolutionary naval war hero John Paul Jones lived from 1781-1782. Built in 1758 for sea captain Gregory Purcell, this stately three-story home is now operated as a museum by the Portsmouth Historical Society.
Naval Hero
John Paul Jones (1747-92), celebrated naval hero of the American Revolution, spent time in Portsmouth in 1777 and 1781-82. During those years, he rented a room in this house while the widow of Gregory Purcell operated it as a boarding house.
Seacoast Science Center & Odiorne State Park
Learn about marine mammals, fish, reefs, seabirds, marine mammal rescue programs, coral gene banking, and coastal habitat restoration. Expansive views of Gulf of Maine, four lighthouses, Isles of Shoals, and southern Maine coast.
Seven Natural Habitats
Includes woodlands, uplands, salt marsh, freshwater and salt ponds, sandy beach, and rocky shore. Features historic WWII Fort Dearborn fortifications, old stone walls, and cellar holes from grand estate years.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Currently overhauls, repairs, and modernizes Los Angeles-class submarines. Special tours include Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, Treaty of Portsmouth room, and possibly the former U.S. Naval Prison and Shipyard Heritage Center.
Historic Treaty Site
The Treaty of Portsmouth, which was signed in 1905 at the end of the Russo-Japanese War, was negotiated here. President Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the parties' discussions that led to the signing of the treaty.
Prescott Park
A 10-acre waterfront park featuring formal plantings around various sculptural elements including a massive anchor and two of Cabot Lyford's four sculptures in Portsmouth - "My Mother the Wind" on Four Tree Island and "Fisherman's Luck" known as the "Whale" sculpture. Created by sisters Mary and Josie Prescott, who willed it to the City in 1954 for public enjoyment.
Garden Highlights
Liberty Gardens, beds of annuals, formal plantings, bed of hostas along shaded Mechanic Street edge. "My Mother the Wind" sculpture by Cabot Lyford at Four Tree Island waterfront (free reservation required).
New Castle, New Hampshire
Lovely self-guided car tour of New Hampshire's only town made entirely of islands which are connected to each other by bridges. Being the easternmost and the smallest town by area in the State of New Hampshire, New Castle features picturesque homes and historic sites.
New Castle Sites to Visit
- Fort Constitution State Historic Site - Details
- Fort Stark State Historic Site - Details
- New Castle Historical Society - Old Library Museum, 120 Main Street - Details
- Portsmouth Harbor Light (Fort Point Light) - Not open for tours - Info
- Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel (built 1874) - Site of 1905 Russo-Japanese Peace Treaty negotiations - Visit
- New Castle Common - 31-acre recreation area on the Atlantic Ocean
- U.S. Coast Guard Station
Cabot Lyford's Sculptures (Prescott Park)
Discover two remarkable granite sculptures by renowned artist Cabot Lyford at Prescott Park. These powerful works of art have become iconic landmarks of Portsmouth's waterfront, capturing the essence of the region's maritime heritage.
Sculptures at Prescott Park
"Whale" - Perhaps Lyford's most iconic Portsmouth work, this magnificent black granite whale sculpture has become a beloved landmark at Prescott Park. The massive form captures the power and beauty of these ocean giants that once filled the waters off Portsmouth's coast.
"My Mother the Wind" - This evocative black granite sculpture graces the waterfront at Four Tree Island in Prescott Park. The piece captures the essence of maritime Portsmouth, where wind and water have shaped the city's character for centuries. (Free reservation required to access Four Tree Island)
About Cabot Lyford: A renowned New Hampshire sculptor whose powerful granite works have become integral to Portsmouth's cultural landscape. His mastery of stone carving brings life to the region's maritime heritage.
Cabot Lyford's Sculptures (Other Locations)
Explore additional remarkable granite sculptures by renowned artist Cabot Lyford scattered throughout Portsmouth. These powerful works showcase his mastery of stone carving and have become cherished landmarks in the community.
Sculpture Locations
"Black Dolphin" - Submariners Memorial Garden, Albacore Park. This striking black granite sculpture honors submariners and stands as a powerful tribute at the Albacore Park memorial garden. The dolphin's sleek form emerges from the dark stone, symbolizing the strength and grace of those who serve beneath the waves.
"Eagle" - Great Bay Community College Campus. Unlike Lyford's other Portsmouth sculptures carved from black granite, "Eagle" is uniquely crafted from white granite. Located on the former Pease Air Force base site, this majestic bird may have been commissioned to honor the base's military heritage.
Note: These sculptures are part of Cabot Lyford's larger body of work celebrating Portsmouth's maritime and military heritage.
Planning Your Visits
Many of these sites require advance reservations, especially for group tours. Please contact venues directly to confirm hours, pricing, and availability for your visit dates. Some locations have special requirements such as U.S. citizenship or physical mobility restrictions.
Transportation
Most sites are within easy walking or short driving distance from the AC Hotel Portsmouth. Parking information is provided for each location. Consider coordinating with classmates to share rides and make visits more enjoyable.
Lodging
Stay in comfort and style at Portsmouth's premier hotel, perfectly positioned for your reunion weekend.
AC Hotel by Marriott Portsmouth
★★★★ European Elegance & Modern Luxury
📍 Hotel Address & Location
299 Vaughan Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Waterfront District - 5-minute walk to Market Square
Experience sophisticated European-inspired design with stunning waterfront views in the heart of historic Portsmouth. This modern luxury hotel offers a refined atmosphere with minimalist elegance is perfect for Exeter alums and their significant others who appreciate contemporary style and harbor proximity. The AC Hotel combines sleek design with premium amenities, creating an ideal base for your reunion activities in Portsmouth.
Dining & Social
- AC Kitchen breakfast
- AC Lounge with tapas
- Rooftop terrace
- Evening social hours
Premium Amenities
- Harbor view rooms
- European-style breakfast
- Fitness center
- Business center
Services & Convenience
- Valet parking
- Meeting spaces
- 24-hour front desk
- Concierge services
Modern Comforts
- High-speed WiFi
- Smart room technology
- Premium bedding
- Marriott Bonvoy points
🎓 Special Exeter Class of 1966 Reunion Package
Reunion Booking Information:
The '66 Reunion Team has reserved a block of 45 rooms for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights (May 1-4) at the deeply discounted rate of $199.00 per night.
Confirmed Room Rate:
$199.00 per night - Flat rate for all rooms
Available nights: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in May 2026
Rate valid through: November 30, 2025
Room Reservation Details:
The '66 Reunion Team will hold its entire block of 45 rooms until November 15, 2025 on a first-come, first-served basis.
A classmate's priority for reserving one of these rooms will be based on the date on which that classmate expresses interest in renting one of these rooms by using the functions of this website, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
On November 15, 2025 (or when all 45 rooms for any particular night have been requested by one of our classmates), the discounted rate of $199.00 per night will no longer be available. Although all classmates are welcome to attend any and all Portsmouth events regardless of their lodging arrangements, any classmate who is not among the first 45 to request a room on a particular night before November 15 will be on their own to arrange lodging, either at the AC Hotel or elsewhere.
Classmates who make a timely request to be allocated one of the 45 rooms in our reserved block will receive an email message from the AC Hotel containing a link that will enable the classmate to make their own reservation and all other arrangements for that room.
Class OF '66 Reception at the Bar in The Library Restaurant and Options for Dinner Afterwards on Sunday Evening
We hope you will join your classmates for a celebratory Sunday Class Reception at bar in The Library, one of Portsmouth premier restaurants. At the conclusion of our Class Reception, classmates and their significant others will have two dinner options: (1) remaining at The Library for an elegant group dinner; or (2) selecting another fine restaurant from a curated list that the Reunion Team will post on this website soon, making their own reservations to enjoy smaller and more intimate dinner settings elsewhere.
The Reunion Team is currently in negotiations with a private bus transportation company in Portsmouth, and we hope to charter one or more buses to provide transportation for all reunion attendees from the AC Hotel to the Reception at The Library, and then after dinner (regardless of which dinner venue is selected) back to the AC Hotel from the Library. We will ask classmates to pay their fair share of the cost of bus rentals. (Details will be made available on this website at a later date.).
The Library Restaurant, Portsmouth's acclaimed premier fine dining establishment, offers refined cuisine and an intimate atmosphere perfect for meaningful conversations and lasting memories. Bus transportation, start times for Reception and Optional Dinner, and a Select List of other fine restaurants in Portsmouth will be posted here in the near future.
The Library Restaurant
📍 Location
401 State Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Experience culinary artistry at The Library Restaurant, where sophisticated cuisine meets historic charm. This acclaimed establishment offers an intimate dining atmosphere perfect for reunion gatherings, featuring contemporary American cuisine with seasonal New England influences.
Per person dinner charge: the '66 Reunion Team is in the process of calculating the per person charge we will collect from our classmates who opt for dinner at The Library Restaurant. We are also in the process of determining what, if any, per person charge we will collect for the Class Reception at the bar of The Library. Those charges will be posted as soon as the Team completes their calculations.
Dining Experience
- Award-winning contemporary cuisine
- Extensive wine selection: Class Vice President Eric Vogt '66 will pick out some excellent vintages for our dinner
- Historic downtown location
- Intimate atmosphere for conversations
- Seasonal New England specialties
- Professional service excellence
Small Group Dining Option
For reunion attendees who would prefer a more intimate gathering, we will provide a curated list of smaller restaurants throughout Portsmouth where you can arrange your own dinners with close friends and smaller groups. This option is perfect for classmates and their significant others who want to reconnect in a quieter, more personal setting.
Restaurant list coming soon: Check back here for our recommended selections of smaller venues perfect for groups of 4-8 people.
'66 Portsmouth Pre-Game Events Recommended for Our Classmates and Their Significant Others
May 3-5, 2026
Coming Soon
Details of Pre-Game reunion events planned to take place in Portsmouth and a Schedule of '66 Portsmouth Pre-Game Events are coming soon.
Join Us for This Historic Celebration
Be part of this landmark 60th reunion gathering. Join your classmates and their significant others as we celebrate six decades of friendship, achievements, challenges, and the enduring bonds we forged during our time together at the Academy.