Portsmouth, NH

Known for its rich history, cultural offerings and walkable downtown area filed with unique shops, cafés and parks, the city of Portsmouth is home to 20,670 residents. Located in Rockingham County, this seaport community is a popular tourist destination and upscale community.

Settled in 1630 by English emigrants the town was incorporated in 1653 and named Portsmouth in honor of the colony's founder, John Mason. He had been captain of the port of Portsmouth, England, in the county of Hampshire, for which New Hampshire is named. Once one of the nation's busiest ports and shipbuilding cities, Portsmouth's wealth was expressed in fine architecture. It contains significant examples of Colonial Georgian and Federal style homes, a selection of which are now museums. In 2008, Portsmouth was named one of the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In recent decades top employers in the city include Liberty mutual and the national passport center. Quality medical services are offered by Portsmouth Regional Hospital, known for their heart center and cancer care center.

The town has a total area of 16.8 square miles with the downtown considered a regional commercial, entertainment and dining destination. Market Square boasts brick sidewalks along the streets that offer dozens of shopping, café`s and fine dining options.

With air service at Portsmouth International Airport at PEASE Tradeport (the former air force base) and a short drive to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, the city has convenient access to air transportation to most any location. Boston’s Logan airport is about an hour drive from Portsmouth. Situated along Interstate 95, coastal Route 1 and the Spaulding Turnpike, the city has easy access to points south as well as Maine and western and northern parts of New Hampshire. Public transportation around the city and to neighboring communities is provided by a public transit system via a bus line.

Driving distance to select cities:

Manchester, NH 48 miles
Nashua, NH 62 miles
Concord, NH 59 miles
Boston, MA 57 miles

Some points of interests include:

THE MUSIC HALL: A 900-seat theater originally opened in 1878. The theater is now run by a non-profit organization and has been fully restored. The venue hosts musical acts, theater, dance and cinema.

THE STRAWBERRY BANKE MUSEUM: The city’s best-known neighborhood has been preserved; featuring several dozen restored historic homes in Colonial, Georgian and Federal styles of architecture. Tours and school groups learn about colonial times in the Port City on the site of one of Portsmouth's earliest settlements.

PRESCOTT PARK: Waterfront park with harbor views and grassy lawns where theatrical and musical performances are enjoyed during the Prescott Park Arts Festival – summer entertainment. Flower gardens and water fountains make it the perfect picnic destination.

Police Department: The Portsmouth Police Department is budgeted for 69 full-time police officers, 28 auxiliary police officers and utilizes the services of 25 non-sworn civilian employees including dispatchers and clerical staff. The department, directed by the Police Commissioners, is organized into three major divisions: Patrol, Administration, and Detective Division and provides service 24-hours a day.

Fire Department: Provides services with a force of forty-two Firefighters, twelve Fire Officers, three Chief Officers, one Fire Inspector, an Executive Assistant, and a part-time Administrative Assistant.

The school system: The highly acclaimed Portsmouth School system consists of four elementary schools (New Franklin, Little Harbour, Dondero School and Robert Lister Academy), a middle school and a high school. The school system has approximately 2,600 students school district in grades PK-12.

Colleges: In the city associate degree programs are offered at Hesser College and Great Bay Community College. Within easy commuting distance are the University of New Hampshire in Durham, Daniel Webster College, Manchester Community Technical College, Southern New Hampshire University and Franklin Pierce University.

Portsmouth office: 111 Maplewood Avenue Portsmouth NH 03801
Phone: (603) 431-8977