Portsmouth Athenæum

The Portsmouth Athenæum is a membership library and museum housed in a Federal-style building on Market Square in Portsmouth. Its collections include more than 40,000 books and 12,000 photographs spread across multiple rooms, including the Shaw Research Library and Randall Gallery.

The institution was established in 1817 and moved into its present building in 1823, which had been designed by Bradbury Johnson for an insurance company. The structure reflects how buildings from this era were adapted to serve new purposes over time.

The place draws on Benjamin Franklin's tradition of gathering intellectuals to discuss ideas about society and philosophy. Visitors today can see how these spaces continue to serve as a forum for thoughtful conversation and shared learning.

The Shaw Research Library and Randall Gallery are open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday, from 1 PM to 4 PM. Plan your visit around these hours, as access is available only during these specific times.

The institution keeps a 19th-century tradition alive by calling its members proprietors and its director the keeper. This old-fashioned terminology is a rare example of how the place has deliberately preserved its historic language over the decades.