Market Square, Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth Athenaeum
The folks at the Athenaeum were very helpful, and gave me a very informative tour.
Unfortunately, I only had my small pocket-sized camera with me - so my pictures aren't great. To see more - including 360° virtual tours of the rooms I photographed - please visit the Portsmouth Athenaeum website!
Georgian Windows in the Ground Floor Reading Room
Looking Out the Door to Market Square
A small portion of the library
Reading Room
Colonial Andirons
The Seal of the King of England Affixed to a Royal Proclamation
The Seal of the King of England Affixed to a Royal ProclamationI was very surprised by the size of this wax seal - probably 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter. One of the royal proclamations was urging New Hampshire and Massachusetts to agree on a border.
Hand-carved Wooden Bowsprit by BellamyAthenaeums were precursors to public libraries - and in some locations in the US merged with public libraries. Fewer than 20 Athenaeums remain in the US. There are also Athenaeums in Europe. There may be one near you!
5 comments:
Thank you for sharing this interresting story and the great (always)pictures. I had no clue what an athenaeum is before reading this. Following your blog makes me almost feel like a tourist in New Hampshire!
I had no clue what an Athenaeum was even while I was visiting!! Finally, at the end of the tour, I asked about it....then came home and read more online.
Blogging about New Hampshire has helped me appreciate it a little more (which is good at this time of year when I get cranky about the length of winter!)
Sue
Every day's a school day - I've never heard of an Athenaeum, but then again our history is a little different down here!
I'm amazed how much you get out despite the "winter". Down here we don't do much outside below 50F. So I'm proud of you not letting the weather hold you back.
gosh this building really looks like portsmouth uk! there are old bits left (the rest bombed in the war).
I love reading about other peoples visits and what they picked up...thanks for posting it! x
bye the way...all the snow makes me think even more what a beautiful place you live! i'd rather have snow than grey drizzling rain like london for most of the year!
Sue
Thanks for the preview, I actually just made a date with a friend to see this exhibit before it heads out the door. I love visiting the Athenaeum. I feel like I have stepped back in time whenever I cross the threshold. Happy Monday, Sarah
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