John Paul Jones House, part of the Portsmouth Historical Society
John Paul Jones House, part of the Portsmouth Historical Society
John Paul Jones House, part of the Portsmouth Historical Society
4
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This 1758 colonial, gambrel-roofed house was the home of Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones while in Portsmouth during the war, and now features a collection of furniture, toys, guns, canes and a historic garden. The museum is open Memorial Day - mid October.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
85 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
39
Average
18
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4
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Larry Z
San Diego, CA47 contributions
Jul 2021
Stopped in with wife for a visit. Very reasonably priced for a museum. Great historical information about JPJ and the role of Portsmouth in the Revolution plus they had an exhibition on the Portsmouth Peace treaty in 1905 which we knew nothing about. We spend about 45minutes in the museum although you could spend longer if you want. Highly recommend
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharonwriter
York, ME7 contributions
Apr 2022
April the 24th marked two anniversaries in the life of Captain John Paul Jones. 1st his defeat of HMS Drake on board the Ranger, built on Langdon’s Island, Portsmouth, NH. 2nd the 1906 commemoration of the returned body of Captain Jones to American soil by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Most historic sites/buildings are closed in April, but to see The John Paul Jones House open and remember that all-important victory was gladdening. The day cooperated perfectly, and the management of the event was second to none, from the delicious catering, knowledgeable speakers, and open house with its many treasures of everyday life in the past. I’m sure Captain Jones himself would’ve been proud.
For those unaware, Captain John Paul Jones is the father of the American navy. In 1778, when our troops on the ground were losing battles against the British and hope was diminishing, the taking of the Drake was monumental. The greatest navy in the world lost a ship to the upstart Continental Navy. It was only the beginning for Captain Jones and his exploits against the British.
When we in this nation are turning away from our past, men like John Paul Jones fought for our freedom to give us what we hold so dear in the present. That should not be forgotten.
I hope the Portsmouth Historical Society will continue to celebrate and remember Captain John Paul Jones’ legacy, of which they are fortunate to have an important piece.
Most historic sites/buildings are closed in April, but to see The John Paul Jones House open and remember that all-important victory was gladdening. The day cooperated perfectly, and the management of the event was second to none, from the delicious catering, knowledgeable speakers, and open house with its many treasures of everyday life in the past. I’m sure Captain Jones himself would’ve been proud.
For those unaware, Captain John Paul Jones is the father of the American navy. In 1778, when our troops on the ground were losing battles against the British and hope was diminishing, the taking of the Drake was monumental. The greatest navy in the world lost a ship to the upstart Continental Navy. It was only the beginning for Captain Jones and his exploits against the British.
When we in this nation are turning away from our past, men like John Paul Jones fought for our freedom to give us what we hold so dear in the present. That should not be forgotten.
I hope the Portsmouth Historical Society will continue to celebrate and remember Captain John Paul Jones’ legacy, of which they are fortunate to have an important piece.
Written April 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHjo
Saco, ME12,050 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We walk by the John Paul Jones House just about every time we're in Portsmouth. It's a striking structure. In the summer, there are concerts held in the front yard that are open to the public. We went to one a few years ago.
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
InTheMomentManhattan
New York City, NY1,109 contributions
Aug 2020
John Paul Jones lived as a boarder in this house during his time in Portsmouth. So it is an interesting location to obtain a little bit of insight into American history. The original house remains but none of the contents. The decoraton is all donated and kind of a hodgepodge. You can visit the room where it is believe Admiral Jones lived. With the probable view down to the Revolutionary Harbor.
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin L
Adams, MA172 contributions
Jul 2022
For a place that's supposed to be about John Paul Jones there was surprisingly little about him. The only saving grace here is the upstairs display on Teddy Roosevelt and his efforts to negotiate an end to the Russian-Japanese War in 1905. The parties involved all came to Portsmouth at Roosevelt's invitation, since it was considered a neutral place. His success led to his nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. I can recommend this place only because of the Teddy Roosevelt exhibit.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KK78
Bay Shore, NY797 contributions
Aug 2022
This was included with our Downtown Portsmouth walking tour with Portsmouth Historical Society. I wouldn't have paid to visit this home, but for free I took a walk around. The house has an interesting collection of items.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
readynow
Elgin, IL48 contributions
The Portsmouth Historical Society runs this house. Being somebody who is intersted in the history of John Paul Jones, I really enjoyed going thru the house, on Wednesday, 06/27/07. You walk thru the house, 1st & 2nd floors, on your own. But there are a couple of workers available who are eager to answer any questions you may have. It has more than just the John Paul Jones artifacts. It suprised me that they did not rope off much at this house. They trust you not to touch things, & if you do go thru the house, please do not touch the artifacts so as not to ruin it for future visitors. Also, you are allowed to take digital photos if you turn the flash off. We used on-street parking across from the house. You can spend about 1/2hr to 1hr or more in the house.
Written July 6, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yellowlabmom
Boston, MA398 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
There’s a lot here to take in. The docent at the front door did an amazing job of providing me the background on the house, JPJ and the 1905 Peace Treaty. There’s a wonderful exhibit of samplers here, along with the expected exhibits on the Peace Treaty and JPJ.
Unlike other houses, you are allowed to walk through this house at your own speed.
Unlike other houses, you are allowed to walk through this house at your own speed.
Written August 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob L
Mansfield, MA12 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Had a wonderful experience visiting this attraction. The guide gave a very informative introduction lasting about 15 minutes. It detailed the building's history, ownership changes, contribution to Portsmouth's seafaring heritage, and, of course, its famous boarder, John Paul Jones. I then did a self-guided tour of the site.The house is filled with historic artifacts donated by Portsmouth residents. Furniture pieces, china, paintings (most from the late 1700's to the early 1800's) were plentiful. An exhibit which fills a large space is devoted to the peace negotiations which took place in Portsmouth to bring an end to the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. The house has a section dedicated to Jones that I found very interesting. I enjoy maritime history and am familiar with the history of John Paul Jones. I came away learning some things I had not known about him before this visit. A very enjoyable experience.
Written July 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert L
19 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
John Paul Jones was America’s first naval hero. During the Revolutionary War, he commanded the ship Bonhomme Richard, on loan to us from France, and defeated a larger and better armed naval vessel, the British ship Serapis. While virtually sunk, John Paul Jones was able to counterattack and defeat the Serapis. John Paul Jones rented lodgings in what is now the John Paul Jones house for about a year during the Revolutionary War while he directed the construction of warship for the Navy. But that should not dissuade a visitor from coming to that location. Not only are the various artifacts interesting to view, but there is a hidden treasure. On the second floor of the structure, the city of Portsmouth told the story of the treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese war in 1905. President Teddy Roosevelt was able to get Russia and Japan to agree to come to the east coast of the United States. Because the weather in the summer in Washington DC was horrible, President Roosevelt directed that the parties go to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the weather was better and the naval base would be a private and secure setting. The exhibit shows the intricacy of the diplomatic negotiations between the two nations. What I did not know was the critical role played by the townspeople of the city of Portsmouth in the final outcome. From the first time that the diplomats arrived, the delegations were entertained in the private homes and public spaces of the city. When it appeared that the negotiations had broken down and were not going to be successful, the citizens of the city redoubled their efforts and, thanks to the judicious and timely intervention of President Roosevelt, the last obstacles to the treaty were resolved, and President Roosevelt went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. In my humble opinion, the entire city of Portsmouth New Hampshire deserved part of that award as well. Both exhibits in the structure are worth your time and will teach you about parts of American history that you may not know.
Written October 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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