To the editor:

On behalf of the Portsmouth Historical Society, I would like to publicly thank he Portsmouth Department of Public Works, and Nathan Minese, a graduate of Portsmouth High School, for installing three large “historical information” signs recently at two locations in town. Thanks to all who helped at Portsmouth DPW and thanks again, Nathan!

A total of four signs, devised as Nathan’s high school senior project, were completed and unveiled in September of 2020, but COVID interfered with the installation of the signs. 

Hopefully, these signs, which can be seen in Melville (near the Rail Explorers location), Lehigh Hill overlook on West Main Road (two) and Heritage Park (off Hedley Street), and show historic info about the Civil War-era Lovell General Hospital, The Revolutionary War Battle of R.I. and about early local Native American life, are just the beginning of historic signs throughout town. Envisioned are signs about the history of the Stone Bridge, Fort Butts and the Island Park amusement park, for starters. I encourage all to stop at these locations to view the signs.

I’m also excited to say that the Portsmouth Historical Society is starting a new “sign project” by offering signs for installation on historic houses in Portsmouth. Similar to signs on houses in Newport and Bristol, with the build date of the house, the signs are intended for pre-1900 houses with some historical pedigree. The signs, which are plain and simple and have the Society’s logo on them, range in pricing based on the amount of research necessary to date the house. 

We encourage those individuals with historic properties, whether members of the Society or not, to contact us at PHSInfo@PortsmouthHistorical.org or via P.O. Box 834 for more information and details.

David M. Gleason

63 Massasoit Ave

Portsmouth