The Treaty of Portsmouth (Portsmouth Peace Treaty)

Aug 28, New Hope Baptist Church Gospel Choir
Location: New Castle Congregational Church, Main Street, New Castle
Presented by AVA Chemical Ventures, LLC

The New Hope Baptist Church is the direct heir and proud descendant of Portsmouth's Pearl Street Church. The Pearl of Portsmouth is the only historic African-American church structure in the state of New Hampshire. Built in 1858 as a Freewill Baptists' Church, The Pearl was enlarged in 1868 by adding a new entry bay and steeple.

In 1915, Black members of the Seamen's Aid Society pooled their Navy pensions to help raise the $2000 it took to purchase the structure. It then became the home of People's Baptist Church, at that time the first and only Black congregation in the state. New Hope Baptist Church, the successor to People's Baptist, sold the building in 1984 and then built a new church, at 263 Peverly Hill Road, proudly paying off their mortgage in only eleven years. (Source: www.friendsofthepearl.org)

The historic First Congregational Church, New Castle, was established in 1682.

Calendar of Events

For a month's view Calendar, click here.

For information about ordering fine art prints of this Treaty Centennial symbol, and other commemorative items, click here.

Twitter.com: @PortsmthTreaty

To learn more about the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire

Mailing address:
82 Court Street
Portsmouth NH 03801

To join the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire online, click here.

For information about the Russia Society of New Hampshire, write to
PO Box 177
Concord NH 03302-0177

For a Russian-language description of the Treaty exhibit click here.

For the Russian-language Library of Congress description of the Treaty of Portsmouth, click here.

News and Links

To learn nore, the following books are available:

Heroes & Friends: Behind the Scenes of the Treaty of Portsmouth by Michiko Nakanishi

There Are No Victors Here: A Local Perspective on the Treaty of Portsmouth by Peter E. Randall

Also available:

An Uncommon Commitment to Peace Exhibit Catalogue published by the Japan-America Society of NH

Blessed Are the Peacemakers: The Service of Thanksgiving for the Portsmouth Treaty, September 5, 1905 by Marina Grot Turkevich Naumann

Original 1905 newsreel footage on DVD

Treaty of Portsmouth 1905-2005 book of reproduction historical postcards.

The Portsmouth Peace Process: Guide for Teachers by Northeast Cultural Coop

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail

For hours, directions, details on the Portsmouth Historical Society museum where the Portsmouth Peace Treaty exhibit is displayed, click here.

For hours, directions, details on Strawbery Banke Museum and the Shapiro House, owned by one of the founders of Temple Israel who figured in the Treaty citizen diplomacy, click here.

For information about Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Building 86 where the formal negotiations were held. click here.

For more information about Wentworth By the Sea Hotel, where both delegations stayed, click here.

For more information about Green Acre Bahai School and Sarah Farmer's commitment to the peace process, click here.

The Portsmouth Public Library maintains an micorfilm archive of local newspapers and an index of the relevant Treaty reporting and other related materials. The archive of original newspapers, photographs and other documents is maintained by the Portsmouth Athenaeum.