Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond

Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond

Old-fashioned outdoor fun. Skates & entrance through the Tyco Visitors Center. Extra fee to skate.

Pickwick’s at the Banke – Gookin House

Shop a selection of the local, historical, whimsical, and wondrous at Strawbery Banke’s official museum store.

The Figtree Kitchen – TYCO Visitors Center

Featuring fine foods, light meals, homemade soups, delectable desserts, coffee & more.

Holiday Dinners in Historic Pitt Tavern Sold Out.

Enjoy a festive historic atmosphere with Pickwick’s Mercantile and Chef Evan Mallett serving up traditional meals and tavern drinks in a revolutionary atmosphere.

Advance tickets required.

Meet the Inhabitants of Puddle Dock

Chat with costumed characters from ages past as they stroll the streets.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides – Beside Lowd House

Bundle up and go for a ride down candlelit streets. Last ride sets out 15 minutes before closing.

Holiday House for Members – Walsh House

Strawbery Banke Members enjoy holiday beverages, snacks and musical entertainment all evening.

Candlelight Kids Treasure Hunt – Visitors Center

Pick up your guide at the museum entrance then return to the TYCO Visitors Center to collect a prize.

Saint Nicholas

Greet Saint Nicholas as he passes along the candlelit lanes handing out peppermint treats.

Cider Shed – Stable

Warm up with live music & hot cider!

2016

Gift from the Sea

Friday & Saturdays 5:00 – 9:00

Sundays 4:00 – 8:00

Craft Demonstrations

Textiles - Cotton Tenant North

Fiber arts, from fluff to cloth. Try your hand at weaving.

Garden Bounty - Cotton Tenant South

More than just salads, learn about plant uses through history, watch wreath-making tutorials, & make a botanical card to send to a friend.

Cooper – Dinsmore Shop

Ron Raiselis and Glenn Lael demonstrate traditional woodworking.

Maritime – The Boatshop at Strawbery Banke

Climb aboard a boat in the shop, learn to tie knots and make your own cedar-shaving garland.

Traditional Foodways – Wheelwright House

Warm up and enjoy the savory smells of an 18th century meal prepared over the open hearth.

Hands-on Craft - Wheelwright House

Make a paper boat with the children of Captain John Wheelwright.

Tinsmith – Jones House

Gorgeous handmade lanterns and ornaments crafted by George and Carol Monte are available for sale.

Basket Maker – Cotton Tenant North

Meg Dinunno crafts and sells traditional baskets.

Exhibits

Winn House

Architectural styles and building construction.

Lowd House

Early craftsmen’s tools.

Sherburne House

17th century house construction.

Yeaton House

Port of Portsmouth: War, Trade & Travel

Gift from the Sea

Families in this neighborhood have always had a close connection to the water outside our doors. The river and the ocean were a source of food, transportation, a means of communication and occupation. Join us as we celebrate the season and our many gifts from the sea.

Follow the Story

Goodwin House – 1870 Youthful Ocean Adventures

The Goodwin family gathers on Christmas Eve to hear stories of Mr. Goodwin’s youth on a sailing ship and make gifts and ornaments from shells they collected.

Chase House – 1815 Light Entertainment on Dark Nights

Mrs. Chase is preparing a festive dinner party while her grandchildren dance and play in the parlor.

Rider-Wood House – 1845 Family From Afar

The Rider-Wood family is celebrating the arrival of their sister in Portsmouth after a long journey from England.

Aldrich Memorial – 1908 in a warm, light room

Mrs. Aldrich reflects on the family’s Christmas traditions, and on her late husband’s poetry in the Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial.

Shapiro House – 1919 Hanukkah Traditions

On the seventh night of Hanukkah the Shapiro family celebrates by eating traditional foods and playing special Hanukkah games.

Abbott House & Store – 1943 Home for the Holidays

Mrs. Abbott’s grandson is on leave from the Navy for Christmas. He is catching up with family and neighbors while watching the shop.

Shapley-Drisco House -

1795 – Faraway Fashions

Mrs. Shapley and her daughters are keeping up with the latest fashions from Europe by looking at prints from Paris. Can she and her daughters agree on the new gowns?

1955 – Ocean Bounty

Mrs. Day is making a seafood chowder for supper while the children are playing games of Battleship and Go Fish.

Performance Schedule

Saturday, December 17

Live Band - Cider Shed, Stable

5:00 – 9:00 Honest Millie

Victorian Skaters – Labrie Family Skate

6:00 7:00 Doug Webster, Artistic Director