New Technology World

Dennis J. Wheeler

Portsmouth — What do floral cotton dresses, wooden legs, North Church steeple clockwork and pet graveyards have in common? I’m here. It is a 224-page softcover book with color photographs of objects, and the story paints a vivid and diverse picture of urban evolution.

The book was born as a 2023 Portsmouth NH 400th Anniversary project, the production of which was voluntarily led by Stephanie Secord.

Seacord is the former marketing director of the Strawbery Banke Museum, owner of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, former trustee of the Portsmouth Historical Society, and current public relations officer for the city. She headed the book’s editor, Kathleen Soldati, and her team of five editorial board members, including leaders of the Strawberry Her Bank Museum, the Athenaeum, the Historical Society, and the Portsmouth Public Library.

“This volume will give readers a sense of who we are and where we are as Portsmouth continues its journey from before 1623 to 2023 and beyond,” said Seacord.

Each of the 101 objects is illustrated with a full-page photograph accompanied by an essay by a local author.

more:A little sol in downtown Portsmouth

The contents of the book are more than just a cabinet of curiosities, Seacord points out.

“The idea is that each object should represent a story at the heart of Portsmouth.”

Tell history one photo and essay at a time

True to that vision, Elizabeth Farish’s story, accompanied by the aforementioned cotton dress photograph, sheds light on the broader story of Portsmouth’s connection to the slave trade. Foot’ offers an insight into the evolution of Civil War-era medicine. The North Church Clockwork is the focus of a story by Portsmouth city attorney Robert Sullivan about his extraordinary collaboration to save the icon. Also, Peter J. Michaud’s “Creatures Great and Small” is about pet cemeteries and tells the meaningful relationship between local citizens and their pets.

There are 80 contributors, some with double duty, but they all have their own connection to the objects they write.

Mayor Deaglan McEachern contributed an essay accompanied by a photograph of Portsmouth’s original 1923 City of the Open Door brochure. Food writer Rachel Forrest wrote in tribute to Gilley’s Hot Dog, his D. Alan Carr, a Navy veteran, offers insight into the Portsmouth Navy Yard and the role of its submarines. Seacoast Media Group executive his editor Howard Altschiller writes about the history of the Portsmouth Herald.

Secord describes the book as “a record of what we care about in 2023, the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Portsmouth, a resource for historians and future generations, and a tribute to the city for the general reader.” Think of it as an enlightening tour of the past.

more:Trump supporters in Portsmouth’s Prescott Park: Is there a problem?

The book, which will be available in December for $29.99, can be pre-ordered at a discounted price of $25. RiverRun Bookstore is currently publishing “A History of Portsmouth NH in 101 Objects” through Piscataqua Press.

Selection of 101 objects in Portsmouth

Seacord worked with the editorial board to determine which objects were selected and solicited feedback through crowdsourcing. “We were supportive, cohesive, and always happy to hear someone’s defense against the object,” he explained Seacord.

“The objects we focused on were chosen because they are very dynamic,” she added. very impressive and makes me want to know more about the object.”

Secord stresses that the book is not a history of the 101 Objects of Portsmouth, but a history.

“One of our goals is to get people thinking about what to put in the book. increase.”

The idea of ​​using 101 objects to tell the story of Portsmouth was proposed by Lawrence Yardon of the Strawberry Bank Museum, who was inspired by a similar project created by curators and scholars at the Smithsonian Institution.

more:Portsmouth 400 hold raffle to raise money for Little Italy Carnival

Renowned local photographers Ralph Morang and David Murray provided most of the photos for free.

“Without the picture of David and Ralph, there would be no book,” Secord said.

Perspective matters

As Deputy Mayor Joanna Kelly puts it in her introductory essay, this way of sharing history – with an emphasis on photography that accompanies stories from the perspective of those who have a close relationship with the objects featured. – is appropriate.

“We are taught about our history through the lens of those who guided it, but less from those who lived it,” she writes. claim to be exclusive: Over the hundreds of years of our history, millions of people have had little or no opportunity to learn to read and write.”

It is a real pleasure to read a pre-publication copy of “A History of Portsmouth NH in 101 Objects”. Not only is this book enlightening, it proves that Portsmouth is full of great stories and great authors.The volunteer essayists each have a different voice.

A trip through Portsmouth’s history stops at several house museums and historic sites, but also includes Yorkens the Barbershop and the world-famous Elvis Room. Ultimately, 101 Objects celebrates the city’s richness and vitality.

more:Note to Sculptors: Portsmouth 400th Anniversary Celebration Seeks Proposals for Maritime Exhibition

Gathering 80 writers as a project director sounds like a daunting task, but Seacord describes it as exhilarating. She was moved to see how the authors cherish the moment captured in the photograph and the opportunity to tell its story.

“Consistently, the response we got was, ‘It’s an honor to be in this book.’ For me, it was about finding the right voices and letting them speak their passion.”

“Kathleen Soldati was perfect to lead this ship,” Secord added. “The board chose her as editor because they need to keep the author’s voice alive, and not everyone can. We wanted the book to represent the voice of the community.”

As such, Seacord says “101 Objects” isn’t about objects, it’s about the stories of the people behind them.

Pre-publication orders can be placed at riverrunbookstore.com, by calling RiverRun at 603-431-2100, or by visiting the store at 21 Daniel St., Portsmouth.

Information: 101objectsportsmouthnh.org