Strawbery Banke Museum

Wow! What an incredible museum. Unlike other ‘living history’ museums this one is a true neighborhood of houses built between 1965 and 1816. History interpreters, roleplayers, and craftspeople give an amazing understanding of the small and larger contexts of early to modern American history. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the country with over a dozen buildings open to guests, special exhibits, and incredible special events. A $19.50 ticket is good for two consecutive days so you can come back if your kids need a break or the weather changes. Most of the museum is indoors, some houses that have educational exhibits, some are furnished to a certain time period, and some have hands on activities to try! You do have to walk outside to get between the buildings so keep that in mind. The historic gardens are an absolute must-see. Garden tours are held regularly and they are phenomenal. See how gardening has changed in the past 4 centuries and think about how we live now. Very cool museum for most ages and definitely a must-see while you’re in the area.
5 8 years ago (02-06-2018)

This living history museum crosses eras (each home or building occupies its own time). The store and the Shapiro house were great! There is a cute cafe too, and you can walk into portsmouth a block away. They do first person interpreting, meaning acting as if they live in the time depicted, can be hard to converse and uncomfortable. But worth visiting.
4 8 years ago (04-06-2018)

What a beautiful place to be if one is interested in architecture, history. They have restored the actual houses built during that era along with the craftsmanship. Very well maintained. Must be a tough job to maintain this. The characters from that era are seen in and around the homes making them very real and believable. Keep it up.
5 8 years ago (06-05-2018)

A wonderfully unique and interesting history museum. It's a combination of guided tour and freedom to roam at your own pace. I spent 2 hours here and felt like I was barely able to get through a third of the exhibits. This is a great way to spend a good part of the day! The actors and guides were very knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. Great indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as demonstrations.
5 8 years ago (15-05-2018)

Great place to spend your summer or Fall weekend. Many homes with live role play. Cooking demonstration is fabulous. Musket firing demos are fun. They even have Hearth cooking classes with experts showing you how to make original New England recipes the old fashioned way. Winter brings a skating pond. Highly recommended.
5 8 years ago (25-02-2018)