Historic New England's Langdon House

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Historic New England's Langdon House

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Langdon House is open for our guided tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from June through mid-October. Visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org for more details.

The Gov. John Langdon House is one of thirty-eight properties owned by Historic New England, the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation. We save and share historic homes, open space, collections, and stories from the past to today. Learn more at www.HistoricNewEngland.org. The Governor John Langdon House is an exceptional Georgian mansion which George Washington “esteemed the first” in Portsmouth. Its reception rooms are of a grand scale suited to ceremonial occasions and are ornamented by elaborate wood carving in the Rococo style. John Langdon was a merchant, shipbuilder, Revolutionary War leader, signer of the United States Constitution, and three-term governor of New Hampshire. He built this impressive home to express his status as Portsmouth's leading citizen. The house was also home of the black freedman Cyrus Bruce, a paid servant who was well known around Portsmouth. The Langdons were also connected to Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who escaped from George and Martha Washington, and lived in the area. After Langdon's death in 1819, the house was occupied by other leading families, and at the end of the nineteenth century, Langdon descendants purchased the house and restored it to its eighteenth-century appearance. They added onto the rear of the house a substantial wing designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White to house modern necessities. Visitors to the house learn about the history of Portsmouth through the life of John Langdon and others who lived here. The house tells the story of the early colony of New Hampshire, the glory days of the city’s mercantile boom, and the Colonial Revival movement that blossomed in Portsmouth during the early twentieth century.

10/28/2026

Langdon Parlor Entertainments: A Revolutionary Yuletide
Thursday, December 3, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM or Saturday, December 5, 4:00 PM-5:30 PM

Step into the holiday season at the Langdon House where Miss Eliza Langdon welcomes revelers for an evening of storytelling, music, and delectable nibbles inspired by eighteenth century Yuletide celebrations.

Historic New England and New Hampshire Theatre Project invite you to join us for an evening of songs and stories, jokes and riddles, and festive wishes performed in costume by acclaimed musicians Lindsay Straw and Larry Young of Fair Liberty’s Call. Together, the duo will perform acoustic tunes and instrumentals of the Revolutionary War, including sea chanties, songs of winter, and holiday carols, and will lead a sing-along to share good cheer – just like the Langdon Family once did! Food historian Michael Duncan Smith, the 18th Century Cook, will lead us in a discussion of favorite holiday foods while guests nibble popular Georgian Yuletide treats such as sweet jellies, twelfth night cake, and Queens cake. Come as you like or dress in festive Yuletide finery.

Historic New England Members $25; General Public $35; Student (13-18) $15.
For tickets, visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org

This event is generously sponsored by Kennebunk Savings Bank, Revelry Event Collections, OTTO Portsmouth, Kathleen Somssich, Northeast Shade Tree, and Palmer Gas & Oil.

10/16/2026

Langdon Parlor Entertainments: A Victorian Frightful is sold out, but we have more seasonal delights coming your way this winter.

On Thursday, December 3 or Saturday, December 5 join us for A Revolutionary Yuletide when Lindsay Straw and Larry Young of Fair Liberty’s Call perform tunes of the late 18th century. Michael Duncan Smith, The 18th Century Cook, will share seasonal nibbles as we enjoy tasty treats from authentic recipes of the Revolutionary War years.

Learn more or reserve tickets on the Historic New England events page at www.HistoricNewEngland.org.

10/12/2026

Here come the goosebumps! Langdon Parlor Entertainments: A Victorian Frightful and its spooky delights are happening on Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are selling quickly. Don't miss your chance to get your Gothic spook on! For details and to purchase tickets, visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org.

See you then, if you dare!

10/09/2026

Tour season is coming to an end but there is still a chance to visit many Historic New England sites in New Hampshire. Which location will you visit?
Barrett House October 10 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Gilman Garrison House October 10 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Jackson House October 10 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Langdon House October 10 & 11 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

10/08/2026

Saturday October 17 is now sold out, but don't be scared! Seats are still available on Thursday, October 15 at 7pm!

Step into the dim candlelight of the Langdon House and join Mrs. Elizabeth Elwyn Langdon for Victorian-era chills and treats during an evening of storytelling, music, and mysticism celebrating the season of the macabre.

Historic New England and New Hampshire Theatre Project invite you to join us for an evening of eerie songs and stories inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, performed in costume by acclaimed storyteller Diane Edgecomb, theater artists Genevieve Aichele and Kathleen Somssich, and musical storyteller Tom Megan. Learn about the Victorians’ profound interest in death and their fascination with tarot, fortune-telling, and spiritualism during an interactive presentation, and enjoy seasonal historical refreshments such as soul cakes and mulled c***r. Come as you like, or dress in your finest Gothic Victorian attire.

Visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org for tickets.

This event is generously sponsored by OTTO Portsmouth, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Revelry Event Collections, and Kathleen Somssich. We are so grateful for their support.

10/07/2026

In person or via livestream November 12 – 14, 2026 Attend in person Join us November 12–14, 2026, in person at The Cabot in Beverly, Massachusetts, with special programming at The Historic New England Center in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for the region’s largest conference exploring the places ...

10/02/2026

We are so excited to be a part of this fun event! Join us at the Park Theatre in Jaffrey, NH on Sunday, October 4 for a special screening of The Europeans, Merchant Ivory award-winning 1979 film adaptation of Henry James’s 1878 novel filmed at Historic New England's Barrett House. Visit https://theparktheatre.org/the-europeans/ for details or to purchase tickets.

https://ledgertranscript.com/2026/10/01/park-theater-screenings-europeans/

Park Theater screens 'The Europeans' on Oct. 4, highlighting its history of being filmed at New Ipswich's Barrett House in 1979.

Address

143 Pleasant Street
Portsmouth, NH
03801

Telephone

+16034363205

Website

http://www.historicnewengland.org/historic-properties/homes/gov.-john-langdon-house

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