Portsmouth Celebrates a Big Anniversary

There are a lot of really great things about living in New England, but one of the very best things about it is being surrounded by places integral to American history. We’re surrounded by buildings and landmarks frequented by the country’s founding fathers; if you pay close enough attention, you can appreciate it in the places you see every day. It’s a really good time to do that in Portsmouth, which is celebrating its 375th anniversary all year long. (The town was settled by dissidents from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, including Roger Williams’s compatriot Anne Hutchinson, in 1638.) The celebration kicked off on January 1 with a Polar Dive, and continues this month with an art exhibit at the Portsmouth Arts Guild through April 7, and a lecture on “Portsmouth 100 Years Ago” on April 9 at Portsmouth Town Hall. Next month will feature more lectures, a ladies’ high tea and a celebration at Greenvale Vineyards. Custom House Coffee is also in on the festivities, having blended a custom Portsmouth 375 Anniversary Roast for this year, with partial proceeds going to the 375th Historic Preservation Fund. The full schedule of celebration is available at www.PortsmouthRI375.com or on Twitter @portsmouthri375.