PORTSMOUTH – This November, Strawbery Banke Museum invites visitors to explore the history of Thanksgiving traditions in America through the Harvest Celebrations: A History of Thanksgiving Guided Tours. Offered on select dates throughout November and the first weekend of December, this guided tour traces the evolution of Thanksgiving over three centuries, bringing to life the diverse ways the holiday has been celebrated. 

Tickets are available online at StrawberyBanke.org/thanksgiving-guided-tours and advanced ticket purchase is recommended, as space is limited. Tickets are $25 per person, with Museum members receiving a $5 discount. 

Led by expert guides, the 90-minute tour includes visits to four of the Museum's historic houses. Each stop showcases a different era, revealing how Thanksgiving customs have shifted to reflect the values and challenges of each period:

• 1777 at the William Pitt Tavern: Discover how Thanksgiving was celebrated during the American Revolution before it became a national holiday.

• 1870 at the Goodwin Mansion: Experience the height of Victorian splendor and its influence on the holiday.

• 1919 at the Shapiro House: Learn how Jewish immigrant families navigated this uniquely American holiday as they built new lives in the United States.

• 1943 at the Abbott House and Store: Share in the experience of families celebrating Thanksgiving on the World War II homefront.

The tours also touch on earlier harvest traditions observed by the region’s Indigenous peoples, including the Abenaki, who have lived in the area for over 12,000 years. 

Tours will be offered on the following dates and times:

• November 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 2024: 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, and 2 PM

• November 29-30, and December 1, 2024: 10 AM, 11 AM, 11:30 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2 PM

“Thanksgiving has always been a reflection of the times it's celebrated,” said Linnea Grim, President and CEO, Thomas W. Haas Endowed Chair. “These tours offer a powerful way to connect with the past while highlighting the traditions that continue to shape how we gather and celebrate today. We’re delighted to offer visitors a deeper understanding of how this holiday has evolved."

For more information about Guided Thanksgiving Tours and tickets, visit StrawberyBanke.org.

About Strawbery Banke Museum

Strawbery Banke Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a nearly 10-acre History Museum located in downtown Portsmouth, NH, interpreting over 350 years of history, from Indigenous history to the present day. The Museum invites visitors to explore historical houses on their original sites, heirloom gardens, traditional crafts, and visit with costumed roleplayers who share the stories of the people who lived and worked in the waterfront neighborhood of Puddle Dock. Strawbery Banke welcomes visitors, members, schoolchildren, and volunteers for daily programs, exhibits, skating, and signature special events throughout the year. Strawbery Banke Museum is funded in part by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation; the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts & National Endowment for the Arts; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom; and the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. For more information and a complete calendar of events, visit StrawberyBanke.org.