2658 East Main Road | Portsmouth, RI | 02871 | (401) 683-9457 | Hours

Local History Information

John T Pierce, Sr. Portsmouth Historical Collection is a digital project started in 2007 by the Portsmouth Free Public Library to preserve and provide public access to collected materials documenting the history of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Materials for this site were donated to the Library by retired Portsmouth Police Chief John T. Pierce Sr. and was funded by a grant from BankNewport.

The Portsmouth History Center is your “jumping off point” for information and resources for Portsmouth, RI’s rich history.  Visit the site to be directed to the major sites that provide important information and services that support the preservation of our historical documents, artifacts and other important information.

Poor Intentions : Portsmouth Asylum in the Fabric of Rhode Island Social Reform is a website put together by the Raytheon Employees Wildlife Habitat Committee that documents the history of the poor farm located on Raytheon property.

Portsmouth Historical Society is a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Portsmouth, Rhode Island’s history.

The Battle of Rhode Island Association seeks to educate the public on Rhode Island's Revolutionary War history, in particular the Rhode Island Campaign and Butt's Hill Fort.

Portsmouth High School yearbooks (digital version) are available on the Local History computer at the Library.