Strawbery Banke Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Strawbery Banke Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district

Jefferson Street within the Strawbery Banke district
Location in New Hampshire Show map of New Hampshire Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Portsmouth, NH Bounded by Court and Marcy Sts. and both sides of Hancock and Washington Sts.
NRHP reference No.	75000236
Added to NRHP	June 20, 1975

Imagine stepping back in time! Strawbery Banke is a cool outdoor history museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It's like a whole old neighborhood that has been saved.

This place is super old! It's the very first neighborhood in New Hampshire where Europeans settled. You can explore over 37 buildings from the 1600s to the 1800s. These buildings show off different styles like Colonial and Federal architecture. They used to be around a waterway called Puddle Dock, which is now a big open space.

A Glimpse into History: Strawbery Banke's Story
Explore and Learn: What You Can Do at Strawbery Banke
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A Glimpse into History: Strawbery Banke's Story

The story of Strawbery Banke began way back in 1630. Captain Walter Neale chose this spot to build a new settlement. He named it "Strawbery Banke" because of all the wild strawberries growing along the Piscataqua River.

This neighborhood was a busy place for over 300 years! But in the 1950s, it was almost torn down. Luckily, a big group of people who cared about history worked hard to save the buildings. Thanks to them, Strawbery Banke opened as a museum in 1965.

Explore and Learn: What You Can Do at Strawbery Banke

At Strawbery Banke, learning is an adventure! Seventeen historic houses are open for you to explore inside. Friendly staff members will tell you all about the history of each house. You'll learn what life was like for people long ago.

Meet Characters from the Past

In some houses, you might even meet actors dressed in old-fashioned clothes. They pretend to be people from different time periods! They can tell you stories about their "lives" and answer your questions. It's a fun way to see history come alive.

Hands-On Learning and Demonstrations

There are also five special exhibits to check out. You can learn about archaeology (digging up old things), how buildings were made, and even old tools. Watch demonstrations of hearth cooking, weaving, and basket making. You might even see a cooper making barrels!

Seasonal Fun and Nearby Parks

Strawbery Banke also hosts special events throughout the year, especially around holidays. Right across the street, you can visit Prescott Park. It has beautiful gardens and fun things to do by the river.

Strawbery Banke was even featured on TV! It appeared in Bob Vila's show, Guide to Historic Homes of America.