PORTSMOUTH — J. Mark Ryan remembers sitting with a group of “intellectually unmotivated boys” in a damp, un-air conditioned classroom back in high school. Despite that, the Town Council member said his history teacher kept things interesting.

And who was that teacher? None other than Town Historian James Garman, who was honored at Monday’s council meeting as this year’s recipient of The Portsmouth Award. The award recognizes those individuals, businesses and civic groups in town that have consistently demonstrated excellence in professional and community leadership.

“Mr. Garman, as a town resident, has supported the study of Portsmouth history for over 40 years. He was a member of the History Department at Portsmouth Abbey School for 39 years,” stated a proclamation in Garman’s honor. “Mr. Garman was a member of the Steering Committee and primary historian for Portsmouth’s 375th celebration in 2013, giving a series of 10 lectures and in March 2014 was appointed the Portsmouth town historian.”

The proclamation went on to say he’s been an “avid collector of all documents, photographs and other artifacts relating to Portsmouth history and is the author of six books on Newport County history … and he has an abiding mission to help local residents become more aware of the unique history of the communities of Newport County. That is his passion and the reason why he writes and lectures mostly on local history subjects.”

Ryan said what struck him about Garman was his personal interest in each subject he taught. 

“He was doing research on families in Bristol who were involved in the China trade,” Ryan said. “His face would just come alive as he talked about opening up these musty old log books and these ledgers and amounts — what they were buying, and what they were trading. I’m looking at this guy and thinking, ‘These people were all dead a long time ago,’ and yet this is really interesting.” 

He taught the students more than just the material, Ryan said, but the importance of being interested in something that “grabs your mind, and to throw yourself into it.”

In a short speech, Garman said he was grateful to the town for the honor, and thanked Portsmouth Historical Society President Anne Burns, and board member Richard Talipsky for their support.

He urged anyone interested in local history to join the Society — “We need more, especially from our town” — and visit its website (portsmouthhistorical.org), as well as battleofrhodeisland.org and the Portsmouth, RI Historical Photo Club on Facebook.