Celebrate John Paul Jones 265th birthday July 7-8

[Parenting NH Administrator]

The Portsmouth Historical Society invites the public to its annual John Paul Jones Birthday Party with a free concert by the Seacoast Wind Ensemble, a US Navy color guard salute and free birthday cake and punch.

The party takes place in the gardens of John Paul Jones House, corner of Middle and State Streets, from 4 to 6 pm. The John Paul Jones House Museum will be open on Sunday, July 8 at no charge from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the exhibits “War of 1812: What it meant to Portsmouth” and “An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: Portsmouth Peace Treaty” exhibits.

 

The Society also presents the 1959 classic movie “John Paul Jones” starring Robert Stack at the Discover Portsmouth Center on Saturday, July 7 at 4 p.m. Suggested donation for movie $3. Refreshments of popcorn and soda served at the movie.

Open through October 31, 2011, the Museum and its ongoing John Paul Jones Room exhibit recalls the time he spent in Portsmouth in 1777 and again in 1781-82. Born on July 6, 1747, Captain Jones is believed to have been a tenant in 1781 of the Widow Purcell (in the building that is now John Paul Jones House) while he supervised the building of the Navy’s ship America nearby. In this exhibit, the Portsmouth Historical Society focuses on the famous historical character and considers aspects of his actual career and the folk culture that surrounds the symbolic John Paul Jones.
 
For information, call 436-8420.