American Indians of the Abenaki and other Algonquian languages-speaking nations, and their predecessors, inhabited the territory of coastal New Hampshire for thousands of years before European contact.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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The first known European to explore and write about the area was Martin Pring in 1603.<ref>U3-Student-Reading.pdf</ref> The Piscataqua River is a tidal estuary with a swift current, but forms a good natural harbor. The west bank of the harbor was settled by European colonists in 1630 and named Strawbery Banke, after the many wild strawberries growing there. The village was protected by Fort William and Mary on what is now New Castle Island. Strategically located for trade between upstream industries and mercantile interests abroad, the port prospered. Fishing, lumber and shipbuilding were principal businesses of the region.<ref name=cool>Template:Cite book</ref>
Colonial development and slavery
Enslaved Africans were imported as laborers as early as 1645 and were integral to building the city's prosperity.<ref name=ring>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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At the town's incorporation in 1653, it was named "Portsmouth" in honor of the colony's founder, John Mason. He had been captain of the English port of Portsmouth, Hampshire, after which New Hampshire is named. Richard Martyn was one of the founders of the first church in Portsmouth, and served as Selectman, Representative to the General Court, Speaker of the House, and Chief Justice.
In 1774, in the lead-up to the Revolution, Paul Revere rode to Portsmouth warning that the BritishRoyal Navy was coming to capture the port.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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African Americans participated in defending Portsmouth and New England during the war. In 1779, 19 enslaved African Americans from Portsmouth wrote a petition to the state legislature requesting the abolition of slavery, citing their war contributions and the principles of the Revolution.<ref name=ring /> The legislature tabled their petition. New Hampshire abolished slavery in 1857, by which time the institution was effectively extinct in the state.
When New Hampshire voted to ratify the new U.S. Constitution in 1788, it became the ninth and decisive state needed to establish the federal government. Portsmouth celebrated this historic moment with a grand parade featuring representatives from 78 different trades, reflecting the city's economic diversity and national significance.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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19th century development
Thomas Jefferson's 1807 embargo against American trade with Britain severely disrupted New England's trade with Canada, causing several local businessmen to go bankrupt. Portsmouth hosted numerous privateers during the War of 1812. In 1849, Portsmouth was incorporated as a city.<ref name=cool />
Once one of the nation's busiest ports and shipbuilding cities, Portsmouth expressed its wealth through fine architecture. The city features significant examples of Colonial, Georgian, and Federal style houses, some of which now serve as museums. Portsmouth's downtown core consists of stately brick Federalist stores and townhouses, built uniformly after devastating early 19th-century fires. The most destructive fire occurred in 1813 when 244 buildings burned.<ref name=cool /> A fire district was subsequently created that required all new buildings within its boundaries to be built of brick with slate roofs, creating the downtown's distinctive appearance. The city was also noted for producing boldly wood-veneered federal-style (neoclassical) furniture, particularly by master cabinet maker Langley Boardman.
In the 20th century, the city established a Historic District Commission to protect much of the city's architectural legacy. In 2008, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Portsmouth one of the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Military developments
During World War II, Portsmouth Municipal Airport was expanded and converted to military use, eventually becoming Pease Air Force Base in 1956. Named after New Hampshire Medal of Honor recipient Captain Harl Pease Jr., the Strategic Air Command facility housed nuclear bombers including the renowned 509th Bomb Wing during the Cold War era. The base served as a crucial component of America's nuclear deterrent until its closure in 1991 under the Base Realignment and Closure process.
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's contribution to submarine technology advanced significantly with the construction of the experimental USS Albacore in 1953. This revolutionary research submarine pioneered the teardrop hull design that became standard for all modern submarines and set world underwater speed records during its service until 1972. The vessel was designated a National Historic Landmark and returned to Portsmouth as a museum in 1985.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Urban renewal and preservation
The city's emphasis on historic preservation and revitalization emerged from a period of significant destruction. Portsmouth's current walkable character results from its network of streets and dense blocks filled with preserved Revolution-era homes. However, like many cities throughout the region and nation, Portsmouth experienced urban renewal, a federally funded planning initiative designed to address "urban blight" and revitalize downtown cores after decades of suburbanization and declining tax revenue. Portsmouth's urban renewal district encompassed the North End neighborhood, which, similar to Boston's North End, was home to a significant Italian-American population.<ref name="URBAN RENEWAL PORTSMOUTH NH">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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In 1964, federal funds were allocated to the North End project area for urban renewal. Prior to redevelopment, the North End contained a mix of residential and commercial buildings, with many older houses converted into storefronts with apartments above. By the mid-1960s, the area was considered overcrowded, deteriorated, and a fire hazard. The Portsmouth Housing Authority proposed demolishing approximately 200 buildings, a school, and a church, with redevelopment planned for commercial, industrial, and public use rather than residential purposes. The project would have displaced approximately 300 families. In 1968, Portsmouth Preservation Inc., a preservation organization, was formed to save some of the historic building stock slated for redevelopment. After extensive advocacy efforts, only fourteen houses were saved and mostly relocated to an area now known as "The Hill".<ref name="URBAN RENEWAL PORTSMOUTH NH"/> This preservation effort marked the beginning of broader initiatives that eventually led to the creation of the aforementioned historic district.
Shipbuilding heritage
Portsmouth's shipbuilding history has maintained a long symbiotic relationship with Kittery, Maine, across the Piscataqua River. In 1781–1782, naval hero John Paul Jones lived in Portsmouth while supervising construction of his ship Ranger, which was built on nearby Badger's Island in Kittery. During that time, he boarded at the Captain Gregory Purcell house, which now bears Jones' name as the only surviving property in the United States associated with him. Built by master housewright Hopestill Cheswell, an African American,<ref name="Black Portsmouth">Template:Cite book</ref> it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and now serves as the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum.
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, established in 1800 as the first federal navy yard, is located on Seavey's Island in Kittery, Maine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Geography
Portsmouth downtown from I-95
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert are land and Template:Convert, or 6.92%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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As of the census of 2010, there were 21,233 people, 10,014 households, and 4,736 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 10,625 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 91.5% White, 1.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.7% some other race, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.<ref name="Census 2010 DP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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There were 10,014 households, out of which 20.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.5% were headed by married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.7% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03, and the average family size was 2.75.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>
In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>
For the period 2010–2014, the city's estimated median annual household income was $67,679, and the median family income was $90,208. Male full-time workers had a median income of $58,441 versus $45,683 for females. The city's per capita income for the city was $42,724. About 4.0% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Economy
Heinemann USA is based in Portsmouth. Before its dissolution, Boston-Maine Airways (Pan Am Clipper Connection), a regional airline, was also headquartered in Portsmouth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Top employers
According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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The Portsmouth Downtown Historic District encompasses the city's historic urban core and Market Square.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Sites of interest
Street musicians perform across from North Church (July 2014)
USS Albacore Museum & Park – a museum featuring the USS Albacore, a U.S. Navy submarine used for testing, which was decommissioned in 1972 and moved to the park in 1985. The submarine is open for tours.
Buckminster House – built in 1725, formerly a funeral parlor.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
Cabot Lyford four public sculptures – including "The Whale" and "My Mother the Wind," a seven-ton blank granite statue which was installed on Portsmouth's waterfront in 1975.<ref name="ppherald">Template:Cite news</ref>
Interior of Gilley's Diner Gilley's Diner – Known as Portsmouth's original diner, established in 1912 as a horse-drawn lunch wagon, and now housed in a 1940s lunch cart permanently located at 175 Fleet Street.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Music Hall – a 900-seat theater opened in 1878.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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New Hampshire Theatre Project – founded in 1986, a non-profit theater organization producing contemporary and classical works, and offering educational programs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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North Church – historic church, the steeple of which is visible from most of Portsmouth
The Player's Ring Theater – a black-box theater that produces original work from local playwrights.
Pontine Theatre – produces original theater works based on the history, culture and literature of New England at their 50-seat black box venue.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Portsmouth African Burying Ground – a memorial park and the only archeologically verified 18th-century African burying ground in New England.
Portsmouth Athenæum – a private membership library, museum and art gallery open to the public at certain times.
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse – first established in 1771, the current structure was built in 1878 and is open for monthly tours from May through September.
Portsmouth Historical Society – founded in 1917, includes museum galleries, a gift shop, welcome center, walking tours, and operates the John Paul Jones House.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Prescott Park Arts Festival – summer entertainments in Portsmouth's waterfront park since 1974.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Rockingham Hotel and the Library Restaurant – historic former hotel and contemporary restaurant. Built in 1885, it is a prominent early example of Colonial Revival architecture.
Seacoast Repertory Theatre – founded in 1988, a professional theater troupe.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Strawbery Banke Museum – a neighborhood featuring several dozen restored historic homes in Colonial, Georgian and Federal styles of architecture. The site of one of Portsmouth's earliest settlements.
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The Seacoast United Phantoms are a soccer team based in Portsmouth. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the Northeast Division of USL League Two (USL2), one of the unofficial fourth-tier leagues of the American Soccer Pyramid.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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Freedom Rugby Football Club is a men's rugby union team based in Portsmouth, founded in the summer of 2014. The club is an active member of USA Rugby and New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU).
The city of Portsmouth operates under a council-manager system of government. Portsmouth elects a nine-member at-large City Council to serve as the city's primary legislative body.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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In March 2014, Portsmouth became the first municipality in New Hampshire to implement protections for city employees from discrimination on the basis of gender identity, by a 9–0 vote of the city council.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) operates a publicly funded bus network in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and neighboring Maine including service in, to and from Portsmouth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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