MacPheadris-Warner House, Georgian house museum in Portsmouth, United States.
The MacPheadris-Warner House is a two-and-a-half-story brick residence with fifteen-inch thick walls and a gambrel roof built in the Georgian style. The floor plan follows a traditional four-room layout per story and contains period furnishings alongside original architectural elements from the 1700s.
Built between 1716 and 1718 for Scottish-Irish sea captain Archibald MacPheadris, the residence stands as the oldest urban brick house in northern New England. Its sturdy construction with thick walls reflects building traditions brought to the colonies by wealthy merchants and seafarers.
The central hall displays wall murals from the colonial period, representing some of the oldest Anglo-American wall paintings still in their original location. These artworks reveal the artistic tastes and skills valued by wealthy families of that era.
The Warner House Association operates the museum at 150 Daniel Street with regular guided tours that lead visitors through the rooms. Plan to spend time observing the interior furnishings and architectural details, and be prepared for period staircases within the structure.
The building narrowly escaped demolition in the 1930s when local preservationists raised funds to prevent its replacement with a gas station. This rescue effort marked a turning point for historic preservation in the region and demonstrated strong community commitment to saving the structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
