The Treaty of Portsmouth (Portsmouth Peace Treaty)

For a month's view Calendar, click here.

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Exhibit OPEN DAILY - June 29, 2012

The central exhibit on the Portsmouth Peace Treaty and the formal, informal, back channel and citizen diplomacy that led to the Treaty of Portsmouth. Created for the 100th anniversary of the Treaty in 2005 by the Japan-America Society of NH and made possible by the Center for Global Partnership of the Japan Foundation. Hosted by the Portsmouth Historical Society in the John Paul Jones House Museum, 43 Middle Street, Portsmouth NH. Open 7 days 11-5. Admission $6. Children 12 and under free. 603-436-8420.

Aug 13, 2013 7:00 PM
"Teddy Roosevelt's Nobel Peace Prize" Salem NH

Sep 26, 2013 7:00 PM
"Teddy Roosevelt's Nobel Peace Prize" Concord NH

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum
2008 Calendar

The Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum was established in 1994 to explore diplomatic themes "in the spirit of the Treaty of Portsmouth."

2nd Annual Portsmouth Peace Treaty Commemorative Concert:
"Peace & The Presidency: Music for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt"

Seacoast Wind Ensemble, The Music Hall, Portsmouth www.themusichall.org, May 17, 2008
The Seacoast Wind Ensemble presented the Second Annual Portsmouth Peace Treaty Commemorative Concert, “Peace & The Presidency: Music for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt,” a wide-ranging program of music for the Election Year featuring Aaron Copland's "A Lincoln Portrait" with guest narrator, Rev. Robert H. Thompson, Chaplain of Phillips Exeter Academy. The annual program by the Seacoast Wind Ensemble is organized and conducted by Music Director Richard C. Spicer. The Portsmouth Peace Treaty is an important piece of history as the foundation for Theodore Roosevelt’s Nobel Peace Prize and as an early demonstration that the ordinary American citizen can make a difference. This annual commemorative concert helps trace that story from a musical perspective. Click here for the full program and more pictures.

The Sturgis family rings the bell of South Church.

Commemorative Salute and Bell-ringing, September 5th at 3:47 pm

On September 5, 1905 at 3:47 pm, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard announced the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth ending the Russo-Japanese War with a gun salute that was echoed by the church bells of the Seacoast. On Friday, September 5, 2008 that commemoration will be re-enacted with an official US Navy salute on the Shipyard mall, followed by a 3:47 pm blast on the Shipyard whistle that will serve as the signal for the bells of Portsmouth and Eliot to ring.

Participating in the bell-ringing are:

First Congregational Church of Eliot (1361 State Road, Rev. David Avery)
First Methodist Church of Portsmouth (129 Miller Avenue, Rev. Deborah Shipp)
Unitarian Universalist Church (South Church, 292 State St., Rev. Roberta Finkelstein)
Middle Street Baptist Church, (18 Court Street, Rev. Vivan Martindale
North Congregational Church (Market Square, Rev. Dawn Shippee)
St. John’s Episcopal Church (101 Chapel Street, Rev. Robert Stevens)
Portsmouth Public Schools (Dr. Robert Lister, Superintendent)
Green Acre Baha’i School will raise the Peace Flag, first raised by the school’s founder Sarah Farmer in 1894. Green Acre’s role in the Treaty summer is commemorated with a special program on Sunday, August 31 at 2 pm.

Exhibit of Photographs from 1981 Treaty Docudrama

The anniversary of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty is also being commemorated with “Flags Over Portsmouth: Local People in the Spotlight, Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905 & 1981” a new exhibit of photographs captured from the mini-series produced by NHK Japan television. This docudrama about the Treaty of Portsmouth was filmed in Portsmouth and other locations in New Hampshire in June of 1981. More than 300 local residents responded to the call for “extras” and among the prominent participants were Governor Hugh Gallen portraying 1905 New Hampshire Governor John McLane, Nevers Second Regiment Band re-enacting their role in the Welcoming Parade, Rev. Gordon Allen and members of the congregation of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Sam Jarvis whose Metro restaurant acted as a London pub. Many schoolchildren turned out for the parade scenes, as did residents who donned period costumes for the recreated welcoming reception filmed at Wentworth By the Sea. The Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum is looking for those who participated in the 1981 production or who might recognize people from the stills in order to document the filming for the Treaty archives. The exhibit was displayed at the Portsmouth Public Library, from September 2 through 30. Details on a showing of the film, perhaps in September 2009, will be forthcoming.

“The Peace of Portsmouth” A Pontine Community Theatre Workshop

Pontine focused their six-week series of workshops on acting and stagecraft around by production of their original play, created from actual newspaper accounts of the Treaty summer of 1905. The workshops took place on Tuesdays, September 16 through October 28 (5:45-7:30 pm) at West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth. Open to all, with no experience necessary, the workshop proved especially good for teachers of world history looking for creative ways to incorporate "World War Zero" and turn of the century international relations in their classrooms. The workshop concluded with three public performances (reading from the script) of “The Peace of Portsmouth” on October 31, November 1 and 2 using the original props created for the play in 2005. Fee was $35 for all 6 weeks. The Community Workshop will be presented again in 2009. Contact Pontine at 603-436-0666 or info@pontine.org

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Beat Night with Larry Simon and the Groove Bacteria
On Thursday, September 18, 7 pm, the monthly “Beat Night” fusion of jazz and poetry, upstairs at The Press Room on 77 Daniel Street explored the theme of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum: that people can make a difference. Larry Simon welcomed a dozen readers. Contact: groovebacteria@comcast.net

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail
Self-guided Walking Tour -- Maps at Portsmouth Historical Society Museum and information kiosk; Guided Walking Tour by appointment, 603-436-3988

Portsmouth Historical Society Museum Exhibit
"An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905" Exhibit
John Paul Jones House Museum, Middle & State Streets, 603-436-8420
May 24- October 31, 2008, 11 am - 5 pm and by appointment

New Hampshire State Archives Exhibit
"An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905"
New Hampshire State Archives, 71 So. Fruit Street, Concord NH, M-F 8:30 am - 4 pm

"Theodore Roosevelt’s Nobel Peace Prize" Lecture by Charles B. Doleac
Dublin Historical Society, Dublin. New Hampshire, 603-563-8545
August 22, 2008

Labor/Portsmouth Peace Treaty Parade CANCELLED

Portsmouth NH (August 22, 2008) -- The committee planning the Labor/Portsmouth Peace Treaty Parade Committee announces the cancellation of this year's parade, originally planned for September 28th, due to scheduling conflicts.

"The Committee made a difficult decision in cancelling the Labor/Portsmouth Peace Treaty Parade this year. We had hoped to expand the contingent of workers from various unions and the trades, including those at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In particular we wanted to welcome the crew of the USS New Hampshire this year as part of our parade. Also, it was our goal to increase the number of live musical groups in the parade and the general quality of the parade while acknowledging the diversity of our community. We also were anticipating more participation from candidates before the November elections.

December 6, 2008. Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum with Samantha Power, commemorating the diplomacy of President Theodore Roosevelt's Nobel Peace Prize. Wentworth By the Sea Hotel, New Castle NH.