ISHRA September Conference: “Before Gosport”
Books and documents lead us to believe that the history of the Isles of Shoals begins with the early European fishermen who came ashore to process their great hauls of cod. A multi-year long archaeological dig on Smuttynose Island led by Dr. Nathan Hamilton, Associate Professor of Archeology at University of Southern Maine, has yielded a treasure trove of bones and artifacts that continue to reveal clues…
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Tour - October
Have you ever wanted to tour the inside of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard? We see so much of it from Portsmouth and Kittery and from the Piscataqua River, but the only way to see inside as non-personnel is with a special tour.
ISHRA June Conference: Shoalscapes: The Art of the Isles of Shoals
Join us for a 5-day 4-night stay on Star Island for a fascinating look at how artists have recorded the raw beauty of these tiny islands for close to two centuries.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Tour - May
Have you ever wanted to tour the inside of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard? We see so much of it from Portsmouth and Kittery and from the Piscataqua River, but the only way to see inside as non-personnel is with a special tour.
Treasure of the Concepción
Hear the story of treasure — lost, then found — as William Mathers and Dr. Henry Parker take us on a journey of their recovery of a Spanish Galleon wrecked in 1638.
Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association2025 Winter Social
Join your friends for light snacks, conversation and a presentation by one of our board members, historian, and expert of historical maps and nautical charts, Jim Cerny. He will talk about one of the earliest maps of our region, the Atlantic Neptune chart.
Historic Lighthouses and Keepers of New Hampshire & Southern Maine
This program is made possible by New Hampshire Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org. The event is free and open to the public.
Presenter: Jeremy D'Entremont
Jeremy D'Entremont highlights the fascinating stories of the lighthouse keepers and their families who, beginning in 1771, maintained the lighthouses between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and York, Maine: Portsmouth Harbor Light, Whaleback Light, White Island (Isles of Shoals) Light, Boon Island Light, and Cape Neddick "Nubble" Light. The histories of these lighthouses and their keepers reveal rich human-interest stories and fascinating lore, from rescues and heroism to isolation and tragedy, and even ghost stories.
Information about the present-day preservation efforts for these maritime sentinels is also discussed.
ISHRA September Conference: Wabanaki: People of the Dawn
The first Shoalers did not arrive from Europe 400 years ago... they were already here. For well over 12,000 years The Wabanaki - “People of the Dawn” - have called N’dakinna, present-day New England and its waters, home.
Join us as we welcome Roger Paul as he shares the rich history of his people and their stories through words and storytelling during this very special weekend.
ISHRA June Conference: Star In a Glass: How Shoalers of Olde Once Quenched their Thirst
Join us for a spirited look at the ways early Shoalers once quenched their thirst – from their infamous and often insatiable love of rum to more elaborate potations and libations with names like flips, toddies, slings and grog.
We have a wonderful line up of presenters and activities lined up for you this June.
Tour the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Please join us on a special tour of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard arranged for ISHRA folks and friends, Tuesday, May 14. 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. This is a repeat of the tour we offered last fall, which was a big hit!
ISHRA Spring Membership Meeting: “1623: The Untold Story of New Hampshire’s Founding Family.”
Bring a friend! Dennis Robinson will turn back the clock to 1623 at the April ISHRA meeting. Thanks to the generous support of New Hampshire Humanities, our April 9 program will be open to the public, so please RSVP early to reserve space for you and your guests to hear historian J. Dennis Robinson present his talk entitled, “1623: The Untold Story of New Hampshire’s Founding Family.” You can join us in person at the Portsmouth Public Library’s Levenson Room (175 Parrott Avenue in Portsmouth) or online via Zoom.