Portsmouth Athenaeum Annual Report 2018

Portsmouth Athenaeum Annual Report 2018

Table of contents: Page

Necrology 2018 3

Minutes of the 2017 Annual Meeting 4

2018 Preliminary Financial Summary: Report of the Treasurer— Jeffrey Keefe 6

Report from the Investment Committee*— Jeffrey Keefe 7

Report of the Keeper—Thomas M. Hardiman, Jr. 8

Program Activity 2018 9

Gift Acknowledgements 2018 12

Report of the Nominating Committee – Thomas Watson 17

Reports on the Year:

Report of the Admissions Committee*—Gary Ghigliotti 18

Report of the Art & Artifacts Committee—Elizabeth Rhoades Aykroyd 19

Report of the ArtsAthenaeum Committee: Performance—William F. Wieting 19

Report of the Development – John Rice 22

Report of the Library Committee*—Margaret Hodges 22

Report of the Special Collections Committee—Richard M. Candee 23

Report of the Social Committee — Cynthia Knapp 25

Report of the Technology Committee—Gail Drobnyk 27

37

*Denotes a standing committee of the Athenaeum.

In Memoriam 2018

George Dodge III share 211

Robert A. Hall share 330

Julian Fischer share 243

Lawrence P. McManus, Jr. share 190

Louise H. Dennett spouse, share 168

Robert B. Field, Jr. spouse, share 283

Dr. William Richard Smyser spouse, share 139

Helen Winebaum spouse, share 198

Lois Fonda formerly share 344

Lalla K. Woerner formerly share 321

THE PORTSMOUTH ATHENAEUM Minutes of the Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 28th, 2018 3:00 P.M. in the North Church

1. Call to Order: President Karen Bouffard called the 199th meeting of the Proprietors of the Portsmouth Athenaeum to order at 3:03 pm. Steve Roberts notified the attendees that the meeting was being recorded. The minutes of the 198th meeting were presented. On the motion of Richard Candee, seconded by Wendy Lull, the minutes of the 2017 Annual Meeting were unanimously approved. 2. Necrology: Karen Bouffard read the list of Proprietors, spouses, and former Proprietors who died in 2017: Proprietors Katherine Farwell Clark, Share 214; Armistead Dennett, Share 168; Simeon Peter “Sam” Jarvis, Share 360; Jeffrey H. Marple, Share 55; Beverly Powell Woodward, Share 108; Anne Learnard Reynolds, Share 239; Neil Rolde, Share 231; Helen Tremaine Rollins, Share 56; Spouses Laura Donohoe, Share 50; Robert Lord, Share 271; and Former Proprietors Edward John Hanrahan, Share 25; Margaret Morrissey, Share 143; John M. Pope, Share 216; and Vivian Baker Treat, Share 302. Karen then asked for a moment of silence. 2. Finances a. Report of the Treasurer: Treasurer Bill Purinton presented the financial summary for 2017. He noted that our performance during our Bicentennial year was a financial success. The 1817 Campaign raised a total of $548,000. We made the final payment on the Foster property where the Irish Shop is located. We recorded an operating surplus of $198,000 for the fiscal year ending on December 31st, 2017. He noted that the surplus was a great credit to our volunteers, the Board of Directors, our Keeper, John Shaw, and Karen Bouffard. He added that as we move into 2018, we have $50,000 set aside to meet code requirements and make needed repairs. b. Report of the Finance/ Investment Committee: Bill Purinton delivered the Investments Report of the Finance Committee. Bill noted that the repayment of the $672,000 loan for the Foster property came from two sources. A total of $400,000 came from the endowment with the remaining $272,000 came from the Athenaeum’s operational cash flow. Currently our portfolio stands at $1,683,000 with 67% invested in common stocks and the remainder in cash and fixed income securities. The annual return of our portfolio was 17.4 % which is somewhat short of the 21.8 % recorded by the S&P 500. Bill noted that the 2018 Investment Committee consists of the following Proprietors: Gail Drobnyk, Lorn Buxton, Eric Gregg, Mike Murray, and Jeffrey Keefe, the incoming chair. 3. Approval of the 2018 Assessment: John Lamson made a motion to approve the 2018 Assessment of $250. Richard Candee seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 4. Report of the Keeper: Keeper Tom Hardiman expressed his gratitude to all present for helping make 2017 an historically successful year. He noted especially the work of the Board of Directors and the staff. We had a great gala dinner in April where it was reported that we met the goal of our 1817 Campaign. In June we toasted the Bicentennial and made available the Bicentennial book. In October we hosted the national conference of our fellow membership libraries. In November we awarded the first Athenaeum Prize in the Humanities which is available for student in the Portsmouth High School. We also had a record number of exhibits and conducted a program series dedicated to our past. One of the most surprising achievements of the year was the doubling of the use of our on-line catalog from the previous year with over 75,000 requests. We had some setbacks and challenges. We lost nine Proprietors which left us with big shoes to fill. Over all 2017 was a banner year and 2018 will be even better. Two hundred years is a landmark which few institutions can claim. But two hundred and one is a launch pad to determine where we want to be at 225, 250, and 300. We have an amazing history, and I hope you will join me in looking forward to looking forward. 6. Report of the President: President Karen Bouffard delivered the Report of the President. She highlighted the key events of the year. She noted that the Athenaeum at 200 articles in the Portsmouth Herald raised the local appreciation for our institution. At our Bicentennial Gala at Wentworth by the Sea we announced that we had met the goals of our capital campaign. On June 21st we held our Bicentennial Champagne Toast where we released our handsome

Bicentennial book written and published by our talented Athenaeum family. In November we were honored to present our inaugural Portsmouth Athenaeum Prize in the Humanities at a collaborative concert by the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. To round out the year we won the prize for the Best Non-profit Float at the Portsmouth Holiday parade. All of these accomplishments were the result of committed and talented volunteers, an efficient and confident staff, and an engaged and supportive board. She noted her pride in all that had been accomplished during her two years as President. She added that she enjoyed being able to complete the restoration of the Reading Room. She wished her successor Steve Roberts the best of luck during his term. 7. Volunteer Recognition: Douglas Aykroyd presented certificates recognizing various volunteer activities. Bud and Lois DesRochers were recognized for having supported the Athenaeum Picnic by providing tables and chairs for five years. Pat Breslin and Bill Purinton were recognized for five years of service as wine stewards. Richard Adams was honored for his service on the Publications Committee from 2012 to 2017. Sherry Wood was recognized for her work as the Chair of the Publications Committee for five years. Finally, Sherry was also honored for her outstanding work as the Editor of the Athenaeum’s Bicentennial book 2014 to 2017. 8. Election of Officers and Directors: Tom Watson presented the following slate of officers and directors: President (to 2020) Stephen H. Roberts Vice-President (to 2020) John W. Rice Treasurer (to 2019) Jeffrey W. Keefe Secretary ( to 2019) Douglas Aykroyd Directors (to 2021) David A. Borden Peter H. Rice Peter W. Tarlton Douglas Aykroyd made a motion to accept the nominations of the committee. Bill Purinton seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Karen passed the gavel to Steve who said he looked forward to moving the organization into its third century. He noted that because of the excellent job done by John Shaw and Karen in completing the purchase of the Foster property while avoiding any long term debt, he could say that we would not have to do any fundraising during his term of office. 9. Changes to the Athenaeum Bylaws: Peggy Hodges, Chair of the Library Committee spoke about the proposed changes in Article 8 Library Committee of the Bylaws. She noted that since the 1980s, the library has expanded beyond its role as a circulating library to become a reference library and a rare book library as well. The staff does a magnificent job running the library. The Library Committee sees its most important job as supporting the staff and Peggy noted that the proposed changes would help to define just how the committee would do that. Ellen Fineberg made a motion to approve the proposed changes to Article 8 of the Athenaeum Bylaws. John Rice seconded the motion which passed. 10. Recognition of Outgoing Officers and Directors: Steve Recognized Jeff Hopper and Bill Wieting for their service as Directors from 2015 to 2018. Bill Purinton was recognized for service as the Treasurer from 2009 through 2018. It was noted how much the portfolio had grown under his management. Finally Steve thanked John Shaw for his service as a Director from 2011 to 2012, as Vice-President from 2012 to 2014, as President from 2014 to 2016, and as Past President from 2016 to 2018. John mentioned how much he enjoyed working the Board officers and Directors, but his highest praise was for the Keeper.. 11. Adjournment: There being no further business, Richard Candee made a motion to adjourn. John Rice seconded the motion which passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Douglas Aykroyd Secretary

Portsmouth Athenaeum 2018 Preliminary Financial Summary

REVENUE:

Proprietor Assessments $ 100,480

Annual Appeal 44,926

Miscellaneous Contributions 111,499

Investment Income 86,751

Other Operating Income 94,216

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments 59,638

Receipts for Special Purposes 57,207

1817 Initiative Income 2,690

(including gifts and grants) $ 557,407

EXPENDITURES:

Staff & Related Costs $ 202,235

Collections 23,056

Utilities 14,770

Building, Maintenance & Renovations 42,624

Insurance, Office, Printing 66,173

Depreciation 49,241

Special Purpose Expenditures 28,585

$ 426,684

NET SURPLUS 130,723

Balance Sheet

ASSETS:

Cash, including Savings Reserves $ 221,404

Invested Funds 1,576,680

Accounts Receivable 8,788

Prepaid Expenses 8,628

Fixed Assets 1,205,835

$ 3,021,335

LIABILITIES:

Prepaid Proprietor Assessments $ 60,010

Deferred Income 6,958

Accounts Payable 11,743

Accrued Expenses $ 4,731

$ 83,442

ASSETS – LIABILITIES = 2,937,893

2018 Annual Meeting Report of the Investments Committee

Financial Results

2018 proved to be a very strong year for the Athenaeum fiscally. Our total revenues for the year were

$557,407. We had total expenses of $426,684. We recorded a budgetary surplus of $130,723. Most

of that surplus was the result of about $85,000 in bequests and gifts. I would point out that $42,624

was spent on building maintenance and renovations. Most of those costs were investments made in

updating our fire and safety systems. In addition to providing a higher degree of protection to our

people, buildings and collections, this investment also allows us to increase the head count of our

internal gatherings such as this meeting and has allowed us to bring the holiday party back home,

here to the Athenaeum. We currently have $25,000 allocated for additional building maintenance and

repairs in 2019.

Our positive fiscal results reflect the strong leadership of President Steve Roberts, a very active and

engaged Board of Directors and our Keeper Tom Hardiman’s cost conscious decision making

throughout the year. For further detail on this summary I would direct you to the report in your

program that was prepared by our book keeper, Stephanie Tabit.

Investment Committee

Unfortunately, 2018 was not as kind to the financial markets as it was to our revenue. As a result, the

Athenaeum investment portfolio finished down on the year, from a beginning value of value of

$1,684,100 to a year end value of $1,563,796. This represents an investment result of -7.84% net of

all fees. Compared to a relative benchmark return of -4.60%. So far the year to date results have

been a bit more upbeat, with positive a return of 4.62%, compared to the relative benchmark return of

3.62%. The current allocation of the investment portfolio is 65% equities and 35% cash and fixed

income.

The investment manager for the portfolio is currently Morgan Stanley and has been for the past 13

years. To ensure prudent management practices, the investment committee is currently pursuing

proposals, from seven highly qualified investment managers. Our goals are to increase the level of

service provided, reduce investment management fees, while maintaining competitive investment

results. We expect to be deciding on our investment manager by the end of the first quarter.

I would now like to approve the 2019 assessment, which will remain at $250.00 the same as last

year. I’ll take a motion from the floor to do so. So, I have a second? Discussion? All in favor? All

apposed? Motion to approve the 2019 assessment of $250.00 passes.

Jeffrey Keefe, Treasurer and Chair of the Investments Committee

Keeper’s Report 2019 Following a memorable bicentennial year in 2017, at last year’s Annual Meeting I predicted that our Athenaeum’s 201st would be even better than its wildly successful 200th. It turns out that I was not exactly right: it was way better. 2018 was packed with great events put on by your exhibits, performance, lecture series program, and social committees. The people on these committees are passionate about what they do and keep bringing us programs of astounding quality and ever more reasons to come to the Athenaeum. We also had the return of our holiday gala to our historic buildings in Market Square thanks to an extraordinary commitment from your board of directors, especially Treasurer Jeff Keefe and Director Peter Rice. By their efforts, we now have greatly improved fire and life safety systems in place that will help protect our collections, our members, and guests for decades to come. Another wish fulfilled was the expansion of hours so that the research library could be open five days per week. The more regular hours eliminate confusion for our library patrons and defy the charge that this is a closed institution. The change added some stress for our staff, but as with everything they do, they pitched in without question or complaint. Our great staff includes our indispensable librarian, Robin Silva; research librarian Carolyn Marvin, who continues to cover the main desk on Saturdays; Katy Sternberger, who is on the reference desk during the week; Susan Kindtedt is our Archivist; and James Smith is photo collections manager and social media wiz. Patty Kosowicz, our Office Manager, retired in June and passed the baton to the very eager and capable Stephanie Tabit. We are extremely lucky to have a very engaged board led by President Roberts. In addition to working with our many committees, the board is actively participating in a major NEH-funded study of our space needs. We have a newly resurrected Development Committee looking to stabilize our finances. Our new Long-Range Planning committee is looking at not just maintaining the status quo but planning for what will make this a great and vital institution a quarter century from now. I am often asked the question why the 200th Annual Meeting is in 2019? The answer is that after the founding in 1816 and incorporation in 1817, the Athenaeum did nothing worth reporting. They started issuing Proprietors’ shares and acquiring books in 1818, so the first annual meeting was in 1820. We can sense both optimism and trepidation about the new library in that first annual report in 1820: It elevates the character and manners of society by encouraging reading, diffusing information and exciting a thirst for intellectual improvement. It not only furnishes a repast for literary men, but excites them to a more enlarged and profitable pursuit of knowledge. It gives them an opportunity of becoming acquainted with each other and of forming associations for literary purposes It operates in correcting narrowness of mind, local prejudices, frivolous and injurious conversation, vicious habits and a sordid cupidity of wealth. These will infest every society in proportion as the resources of literature are closed against it. It is not a question whether this institution shall exist; as such a question would be a reproach to us; but the question is whether it shall drag out a miserable and sickly existence, or whether it will flourish in strength and beauty. Its beginning was indeed small; but now it is far from being contemptible. Constant care has kept alive the plant, though neither the rains nor sunshine of popular favor have descended upon it. The best has been done that could have been done with our limited means. We confidently commit its interests to the care of its proprietors and the benevolence of the public; and trust that eventually the Athenaeum will be an honor and ornament to our town. The200th annual meeting follow-up to that report is that by hard work, generosity, and sometimes tough choices, the “plant” is indeed flowering. The metaphorical question for us now is: do we pluck it and stick it in vase so we can admire it for a while, or do we continue to feed and water it so it is here for another generation? Tom Hardiman, Keeper 2018 Portsmouth Athenaeum Statement of Activities

The Portsmouth Athenaeum’s 201st year built on the foundation of success in our bicentennial celebration. 2018 was a record year for author events and the program year started on January 9 with a sold out presentation of “Book, Bread, and Banjo” with Martin Philip, author of Breaking Bread and head baker at King Arthur Flour in Norwich, Vermont. Martin shared stories about bread and secrets to great baking along with a little music. The following week Keeper Tom Hardiman presented a talk: “The Adroit Anachronism: the Portsmouth Athenaeum at 200” for the Club of Odd Volumes in Boston, promoting the Athenaeum’s bicentennial book. The week after that we hosted a book signing with local author Kristin Goodwillie, whose new memoir Kristin’s Journey chronicles her life and experiences all over the globe. Additional author events included a poetry reading in April by local author Tom Carnicelli, reading from his new book Older Guy and an author talk and community forum with William Deresiewicz, author of Excellent Sheep (http://www.billderesiewicz.com/). Mr. Deresiewicz spoke on the value of a broad college experience as opposed to over specialization and too much emphasis on career preparation. He talked about the importance of students developing passions and discovering new interests during their college years and signed copies of his book Excellent Sheep. This event was co-sponsored by Berwick Academy. In May we had a signing and author talk with Brian Moore, whose new book is Small Town, Big Oil, an account of the women who lead the citizens of Durham, New Hampshire to out-organize and out-maneuver the establishment and protect their community from big oil. Also in May was a signing and author talk with Jerry Hunter. Jerry's novel, Dark Territory, examines the consequences of religious extremism on both sides of the Atlantic during the seventeenth century. Part of the story is set in Portsmouth and takes place during a fateful time in the community’s history – shortly after the name had been changed from Strawberry Bank to Portsmouth.

The literary year closed on December 9 with a signing and author talk with Kimberly Alexander, whose new book Treasures Afoot: Shoe Stories from the Georgian Era is an expansive look at the important but overlooked role shoes played in society, commerce, and politics in the 18th century.

2018 was again a busy year for music, beginning on January 18 with the annual Memorial Concert by Mike Blair (vocal) and Jim Prendergast (guitar) honoring Proprietors who passed in 2017. In March we had an intimate concert with pianist Helene Papadopoulis. September 30th saw the return of The Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival presenting cameo concerts in the Reading Room from 1 to 5 p.m. In early December was a concert by the Noree Trio in the Reading Room followed by the traditional holiday concert with Great Bay Sailor. The Historic Portsmouth Chamber Music Series had another outstanding year, beginning with Neave Piano Trio at St.

John’s Episcopal Church on July 29th. August 26th saw the Musicians from A Far Cry at The Dance Hall (Kittery). The Omer

String Quartet performed at the North Church of Portsmouth on

September 23rd and on October 28th Historic Portsmouth Chamber Music Series presented Emily Smith and Tanya

Gabriellian at the New Castle Congregational Church. The steering committee announced at the close of the series that

it would be renamed in 2019 as the Portsmouth Athenaeum Chamber Music Series.

The Athenaeum presented a varied program of exhibits in the Randall Gallery, starting in March with “What Hawthorne

Read,” borrowed from the Salem Athenaeum. Featuring groundbreaking research and engaging visual content, the

exhibit examined over 100 books that Nathaniel Hawthorne had checked out of the Salem Athenaeum library and

explored how the content of Hawthorne’s reading informed his own writing. Elaine Von Bruns was the exhibit curator.

Co- curators Sandra Rux and Judith Groppa designed “Painting Portsmouth’s Elite 1750-1850” which opened on July 13. The exhibit explored the broad spectrum of portraiture available to seacoast citizens in the century before photography

became the norm. A gallery talk for the exhibit on September 15th highlighted exciting new research that Sandra and Judy had done on a group of portraits by Albert Gallatin Hoit from the Newington Historical Society. The exhibit also included research by Elizabeth Aykroyd and Tom Hardiman. December 8 saw the return of the Annual Proprietors’ Art Show, which had missed a year due to the bicentennial celebrations of 2017. Submissions by Proprietors, Subscribers, and Friends showcased the myriad talents of our Athenaeum family. The 2018 Program Series: “Remembering the Great War, Home and Abroad” began on March 21st as Richard Candee presented “Atlantic Heights, Portsmouth’s 1918 ’War Village’.” At the beginning of World War I, the federal government authorized the establishment of shipyards to construct freighters. One such company was the Atlantic Corporation of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After building ten ships, the corporation went out of business but the unusual housing development constructed for the workers remains. The talk followed the work of architect Walter Kilham, who designed what has been called the finest industrial community of the era.

On April 18th, the series continued as Byron Champlin examined “Flying for America: Granite State Airmen and the War in the Air.” Entering the First World War woefully underprepared to fight in an air war, the United States rapidly expanded its Air Service to meet the challenge. Men from the small city of Concord, New Hampshire played a surprisingly prominent role flying for Uncle Sam in the Great War. We heard the story of New Hampshire residents who were members of the 26th Infantry “Yankee” Division.

Hugh Dubrulle, a professor in the Department of History at Saint Anselm College, presented “Over There: The Yankee Division and the Ground War in Europe, 1917-1918” on May 16th. At the beginning of World War I, the 26th Infantry Division was assembled using National Guard units from every New England state. This so-called “Yankee Division” was the first American infantry division to be transported to France as a complete unit, and it spent more time on the Western front than any other American infantry division but one. We learned of the recruitment, training, and combat experience of this unit with a special emphasis on the 103rd Infantry Regiment which included New Hampshire National Guardsmen.

On September 19th, the series continue with L'Merchie Frazier and “The Harlem Hellfighters: Powered Differently.” The contributions of the 369th Infantry Regiment of African American Soldiers that served in World War I, along with their courage, commitment and efforts, was juxtaposed to their experience as black soldiers during the period of Jim Crow segregation. With that lens, the dynamics of their power relationships internationally, nationally and in their community, was explored to better understand the impact of their service and its reflection on contemporary society. L'Merchie Frazier is Director of Education and Interpretation for the Museum of African American History. Carrie Brown brought “Rosie's Mom: Forgotten Women of the First World War” on October 17th. One hundred years ago, a full generation before Rosie the Riveter, American women rolled up their sleeves and entered war industries where they had never been welcome before. They ran powerful machinery, learned new skills, and faced the sullen hostility of the men in the shops. Brown showed their courage and hard work and the impact "the Great War" had on their lives as well as how these women helped shape the work that their more famous daughters would do in the next World War. The 2018 series: “Remembering the Great War, Home and Abroad” concluded November 11th, with Douglas Aykroyd, 1969 graduate of the United States Military Academy and Secretary of the Portsmouth Athenaeum Board of Directors, leading the powerful program, “Poetry of the Great War.” One hundred years ago, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, World War I ended in Europe. The poetry written during or shortly after this war expresses a wide range of emotions and helps us to gain a deeper understanding of the personal impact of that conflict. The poetry explores the thoughts and feelings of those dramatically affected by the “war to end all wars.”

On November 15, Athenaeum Proprietor Dr. Fred Schubert gave an illustrated talk: “New England’s Benjamin

Thompson (Count Rumford, 1753-1814). The talk emphasized his pivotal scientific experiments concerning the nature of

heat. His remarkable practical activities affecting the city of Munich in Bavaria was also discussed. In considering these

topics, other aspects of his singular life story naturally arose.

2018 also featured a full social calendar, which started January 28, with the 199th Annual Meeting of the Proprietors of the Portsmouth Athenaeum. We hosted three Athenaeum Open Houses and Tea for New Members On April 3rd, June 21st, and October 2nd. Tours for visiting groups included a group from the Ryotaro Shiba Museum on May 15. Dondero school came on May 22, followed by a tour for Portsmouth High honors English class and a tour for New Franklin School also in May. On July 19 we had a tour for Strawbery Banke junior role players. July 31st saw a farewell party for departing Office Manager Patty Kosowicz. in the Research Library.

The Annual Athenaeum Picnic at the Seacoast Science Center was held on a breezy August 21st. On November 4, the second annual Portsmouth Athenaeum Prize in the Humanities was awarded during the intermission of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra’s concert at the Music Hall. The social year finished with a climactic return of the Annual Athenaeum Holiday Gala on December 7. Perhaps the most significant program achievement of 2018 was the expansion of public open hours for the Shaw Research Library from three non-consecutive days per week to five consecutive days: Tuesday through Saturday. The expanded open time was a stretch for the Athenaeum’s staffing budget, but the consistency will alleviate public confusion and foster greater connection to the community.

Gift Acknowledgements 2018

Fund Donor Fund Donor

1817 Campaign Baker Hill, Ronda Annual Appeal Boduch, Kathleen

1817 Campaign Elwell, John Annual Appeal Borden, David

1817 Campaign Hawkins, Catherine Annual Appeal Bouffard, Karen

1817 Campaign Hicks, Gary Annual Appeal Bowman, Peter

1817 Campaign Kaufmann, Susan Annual Appeal Brown, Daniel

1817 Campaign Mennel, Robert Annual Appeal Bufithis, Cindy

1817 Campaign Purinton, William Annual Appeal Burke, Maryellen

1817 Campaign Richards, Kathy Annual Appeal Bush, Irene

1817 Campaign Shaw, John Roger Annual Appeal Butzel, Steven K.

1817 Campaign Wieting, William Annual Appeal Buxton, Lorn

Adopt-a-Map Benedict, Larry Annual Appeal Cardone, Juliana

Adopt-a-Map Candee, Richard Annual Appeal Caylor, Edward

Adopt-a-Map Davis, Stanley Annual Appeal Chaikin, Dr. Robert Mark

Adopt-a-Map Easton, Marilyn Annual Appeal Chandler, Laurie

Adopt-a-Map French, Jameson Annual Appeal Chase, Robert

Adopt-a-Map Hardiman, Thomas Annual Appeal Cheatham, Linda

Adopt-a-Map Hodges, Margaret Annual Appeal Child, Deborah

Adopt-a-Map Lull, Wendy Annual Appeal Christy, Joan

Adopt-a-Map Margeson, Donald Annual Appeal Churchill, Sharon

Adopt-a-Map Newick, Sarah Annual Appeal Cilluffo, Irja

Adopt-a-Map Porter, Jane Annual Appeal Clark, Martha Fuller

Adopt-a-Map Rux, Sandra Annual Appeal Colbath, William

Adopt-a-Map Sanderson, David Annual Appeal Connolly, Mark

Adopt-a-Map Seefried, Carl Annual Appeal Cote, Wendy

Annual Appeal Adams, Richard Annual Appeal Craig, Matthew

Annual Appeal Alden, Melissa Annual Appeal Dater, Michael

Annual Appeal Alexander, Kimberly Annual Appeal Davis, Stanley

Annual Appeal Allison, Timothy Annual Appeal Davis, William Kelly

Annual Appeal Allister, Robert Annual Appeal Day, Judith

Annual Appeal Anonymous Annual Appeal Decatur, Stephen

Annual Appeal Austell, Rhett Annual Appeal DeGrandpre

Annual Appeal Aykroyd, Douglas Annual Appeal Delano, Sara

Annual Appeal Baker Hill, Ronda Annual Appeal Depuy, Peter

Annual Appeal Barbour, Patricia Annual Appeal Dinan, Janet

Annual Appeal Bardenwerper, Walter Annual Appeal Doleac, Charles

Annual Appeal Benedict, Larry Annual Appeal Donohoe, Ronan

Annual Appeal Bennett, Alan Annual Appeal Drobnyk, Gail

Annual Appeal Bickford, Charles Annual Appeal Easton, Marilyn

Annual Appeal Binnie, Elizabeth Annual Appeal Eddy, John

Annual Appeal Blair, Michael Annual Appeal Eidelberg-Spratt, Sharen

Annual Appeal Ellis, David Annual Appeal Lebel Philbrook, Patricia

Annual Appeal Elwell, John Annual Appeal Lewis, Frederick

Annual Appeal Engelbach, Barbara Annual Appeal Lull, Wendy W.

Annual Appeal Evans, John Annual Appeal MacDougall, Susan

Annual Appeal Ewing, David Annual Appeal Mackles, Glenn

Annual Appeal Fender, James Annual Appeal Mallon, Fran

Annual Appeal Fineberg, Ellen Annual Appeal Margeson, Donald

Annual Appeal Ford, Sarah Annual Appeal Marx, Janet

Annual Appeal French, Jameson Annual Appeal Mayer, John W.

Annual Appeal Gardner, Wesley Annual Appeal McCracken, Janet

Annual Appeal Gayer, Sally Annual Appeal McCurdy, Garvin

Annual Appeal Ghigliotti, Gary Annual Appeal McGee, Allen

Annual Appeal Gimpel, William Annual Appeal McGee, John

Annual Appeal Gobbi, David Annual Appeal Mennel, Robert

Annual Appeal Graf, Frank Annual Appeal George W. Merck Fund (NHCF)

Annual Appeal Gray, Frederick Annual Appeal Miller, Faith

Annual Appeal Griffin, Ruth Annual Appeal Mitchell, Rebecca M.

Annual Appeal Hamill. Sarah Annual Appeal Moore, Andrew

Gift Acknowledgements 2018

Fund Donor Fund Donor

Annual Appeal Harden, Todd Annual Appeal Morgan, Thomas

Annual Appeal Hardiman, Thomas Annual Appeal Morrill, Robert

Annual Appeal Herbert, Mary Beth Annual Appeal Neville, Nancy

Annual Appeal Herring, Neil Annual Appeal Nylander, Jane

Annual Appeal Hicks, Gary Annual Appeal O'Neil, James

Annual Appeal Hill, Barbara Annual Appeal Packer, Terrence

Annual Appeal Hodges, Margaret Annual Appeal Paisley, Peter

Annual Appeal Hoefle, Daniel Annual Appeal Payzant, John

Annual Appeal Hoerman, Walter & Mary EllenAnnual Appeal Petlick, Charles

Annual Appeal Hopkins, John G. Annual Appeal Pierce, Karen

Annual Appeal Hopper, Jeffrey Annual Appeal Porter, Jane

Annual Appeal Jaffe, Andrew Annual Appeal Porter, Joe

Annual Appeal Jarvis, Jill Annual Appeal Purinton, William

Annual Appeal Jebb, Marcia Annual Appeal Reynolds, Susan

Annual Appeal Keefe, Jeffrey Annual Appeal Rice, John

Annual Appeal Kenslea, Michael Annual Appeal Rice, Peter

Annual Appeal Knapp, Cynthia Annual Appeal Ritzo, Jessica

Annual Appeal Krasker, Elaine Annual Appeal Roberts, Lee

Annual Appeal Labrie, Michael Annual Appeal Roberts, Stephen

Annual Appeal Lamson, Elinor Annual Appeal Ruedig, Reagan

Annual Appeal Lamson, John Annual Appeal Rux, Sandra

Annual Appeal Larsen, Elizabeth Annual Appeal Sanders, Shirley

Annual Appeal Sanderson, David Arts Athenaeum Buxton, Lorn

Annual Appeal Sanderson, Eleonore Arts Athenaeum Chubrich, Michael

Annual Appeal Sawtelle, Gayle Arts Athenaeum Cilluffo, Irja

Annual Appeal Scholz-Cohen, Patricia Arts Athenaeum Coleman, Thomas

Annual Appeal Schubert, Frederic Arts Athenaeum The Estate of Cynthia Estes

Annual Appeal Schwartz, Ira Arts Athenaeum Evans, John

Annual Appeal Sherman, Thomas MD Arts Athenaeum Fineberg, Ellen

Annual Appeal Smith, Ralph & Jan Arts Athenaeum Hopkins, John

Annual Appeal Smith, Sandra Arts Athenaeum Krasker, Elaine

Annual Appeal Smith, Thomas Arts Athenaeum Lewis, John M.

Annual Appeal Smyser, Sally Horner Arts Athenaeum Munton, Stephen

Annual Appeal Springer, Clinton Arts Athenaeum Rockwood, Kathleen

Annual Appeal Springer, Curtis Arts Athenaeum Starks-Cheney, Nancy

Annual Appeal Stairs, Dana Book Fund Baker Hill, Ronda

Annual Appeal Starks-Cheney, Nancy Book Fund Cardone, Juliana

Annual Appeal Steidle, Craig Book Fund Christy, Joan

Annual Appeal Stewart, Robert Book Fund Coleman, Thomas

Annual Appeal Strazdins, Sally Book Fund Crocker, Lynne

Annual Appeal Sweet, Barbara Book Fund Lewis, John M.

Annual Appeal Tarbell, Edmund Book Fund Renner, Barbara

Annual Appeal Tarbell, Elizabeth Souther Book Fund Schubert, Frederic

Annual Appeal Tarlton, Peter Book Fund Schwartz, Ira

Annual Appeal Taylor, David Book Fund Wood, Roger

Annual Appeal Tefft, Carvel Book Fund - Anne Howell Porter, Jane

Annual Appeal Thomsen, Heather Book Fund - Donald Hickmott Garvin, James

Annual Appeal Thomson, Jeffrey Book Fund - Donald Hickmott Hardiman, Thomas

Annual Appeal Toomey, Richard Book Fund - Donald Hickmott Roy, Carolyn

Annual Appeal Tyrell, Charles Book Fund - Jane Porter Fund Child, Deborah

Annual Appeal von Hemert, Phillippe Book Fund - Jane Porter Fund Fowle, Steven

Annual Appeal Waldron, Joan Book Fund - Possner Fund Child, Deborah

Annual Appeal Watson, Thomas Book Fund - Possner Fund Possner Wiggins Family Fund

Annual Appeal Watters, David H. Endowment Coleman, Thomas

Annual Appeal Watterson, Rodney Endowment Engelbach, Barbara

Annual Appeal Wieting, William Endowment Hoefle, Daniel

Annual Appeal Willcox, David Endowment Margeson, Donald

Annual Appeal Williams, Connie Endowment McNabb, Mark

Gift Acknowledgements 2018

Fund Donor Fund Donor

Annual Appeal Winebaum, Sumner Endowment Sanderson, David

Annual Appeal Wood, Roger Endowment Schwartz, Ira

Annual Appeal Yerdon, Lawrence Endowment Sweet, Barbara

Arts Athenaeum Bank, Susan Endowment Thoresen, A. Robert

Friend Allison, Timothy Friend Herlihy, Alex

Friend Aykroyd, Elizabeth Friend Hett, Ann

Friend Beale, Galen Friend Hilliard, Mark

Friend Beauregard, Lee Friend Hoge, Corinne

Friend Beliveau, Mark Friend Holly, Bill

Friend Benton, Linda Friend Hull, John

Friend Bradford, Margaret Friend Hunter, Tara

Friend Britton, Jan Friend Johnson, Linda

Friend Butler, Weld Friend Johnson, Stephen & Julia

Friend Carpenter, Joanne Friend Kendrick, Philip

Friend Carruthers, Elizabeth Friend Longbottom, Eric

Friend Carter, Angela Friend Malin, Anne

Friend Caster, Warren Friend McGovern, Martha

Friend Castle, Judith Friend McManus, Tony

Friend Castle, William Friend Neville, Nancy

Friend Churchill, Sharon Friend Newall, Barbara

Friend Clement, Elaine Friend Nixon, Sherrill

Friend Colantuono, Elizabeth Friend O'Neil, James

Friend Crawford, Bruce Friend Packer, Janis

Friend Davis, Margaret Friend Pelletier, Paul

Friend Davis, Richard Friend Pendleton, John

Friend Dawson, Richard Friend Peterson, Susan

Friend DeNicola, Karyn Friend Phelps, Janet

Friend Dixon, Geoffrey Friend Pirsig, Wendy

Friend Doyle, Gary Friend Porter, Joe T.

Friend Dunn, Sherburne Friend Potters, Susan

Friend Eastman, Carolyn Friend Pulitzer, Adele & Fred

Friend Eddy, John Friend Rehner, Anne

Friend Epstein, Jeffrey Friend Rohde, Sharon

Friend Gallant, Lauren & Dean Friend Scanlon, Gail

Friend Garneau, Jamie & Gary Friend Sloper, Donald

Friend Gauthier, Anita Friend Sterling, Michael

Friend Gero, Ralph Friend Stott, Richard

Friend Gillespie, Helen Friend Tipton, Valerie

Friend Gobbi, David Friend Tyrell, Charles

Friend Graham, Robert Friend Valentino, Carmen

Friend Gray, James Friend Warner, Jeff

Friend Gray, Vernon Friend Werner, John

Friend Haesche, Alan Friend White, Andy & Carol

Friend Hammond, Joan & Glenn Friend Williams, Connie

Friend Williams, Lois Special Collections Fineberg, Ellen

Friend Woods, Diane Special Collections Gregg, Kinley

Friend Worboys, Mary Lee Special Collections Isles of Shoals Assn.

Friend Young, Suzanne Special Collections Lord, Frances

Friend Zamarchi, Peter Special Collections McGee, John

Friend Zeller, Matthew Special Collections Mitchell, Rebecca M.

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipArndt, Karl S. N. Special Collections Munton, Stephen

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipBergh, Peter Special Collections Nickerson, Michael

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipCaylor, Edward Special Collections - Warren Portrait RestoreAlie, Stephen

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipChubrich, Michael Special Collections - Warren Portrait RestoreAykroyd, Douglas

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipClark, Martha & Geoffrey Unrestricted Donation Adams, Richard

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipDinan, Janet Unrestricted Donation Alexander, Kimberly

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipDubois, Paul Unrestricted Donation Allen, Winthrop

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipGayer, Sarah & Alan Unrestricted Donation Allister, Robert

Gift Acknowledgements 2018

Fund Donor Fund Donor

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipGoodwillie, Kristin Unrestricted Donation Aykroyd, Douglas

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipGriffin, Sharon Unrestricted Donation The Nicholas J. Baker Trust

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipHopkins, John G. Unrestricted Donation Bardenwerper, Walter

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipKrempels, Mary & David Unrestricted Donation Barth, Robert

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipLassen, Charles Unrestricted Donation Bergh, Peter

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipMacIntyre, Bruce (in memory of Jane MacIntyre)Unrestricted Donation Bickford, Charles

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipMoore, Andrew & Barbara Unrestricted Donation Blair, Michael

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipMurray, Kathleen Unrestricted Donation Borden, David

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipPorter, Jane Unrestricted Donation Brawn, Evangeline

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipPotters, Susan Unrestricted Donation Broderick, Hollis

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipRomoser, Mechthild Unrestricted Donation Candee, Richard

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipRux, Sandra Unrestricted Donation Caylor, Edward

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipSanderson, Eleonore & David Unrestricted Donation Coleman, Thomas

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipStrehl, V.J. Unrestricted Donation Cronin, Kerry

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipSweet, Barbara Unrestricted Donation Davis, Stanley

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipThomsen, Heather & Leonard Unrestricted Donation Day, Judith

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipWheeler, Katherine Unrestricted Donation Decatur, Stephen

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipWieting, William & Amey Unrestricted Donation Dennett, Robert

Performance - HPCM SponsorshipWitzling, Mara Unrestricted Donation Dinan, Janet

Performance - Prize in Humanities Bardenwerper, Walter Unrestricted Donation Doleac, Charles

Performance - Prize in Humanities Wieting, William Unrestricted Donation Dunn, Townsend

Special Collections Candee, Richard Unrestricted Donation Field, Elizabeth

Special Collections Chase, David & Mary Ann Unrestricted Donation Friese, Christine

Special Collections Coleman, Thomas Unrestricted Donation Gregg, Kinley

Special Collections Ertl, Mary Unrestricted Donation Hamilton, Susan

Special Collections The Estate of Cynthia Estes Unrestricted Donation Hammond, Nancy

Unrestricted Donation Herbert, Mary Beth Unrestricted Donation Stewart, Robert

Unrestricted Donation Jesep, Paul Unrestricted Donation Stickney, Evelyn B.

Unrestricted Donation Kingsbury, Herbert Unrestricted Donation Strazdins, Sally

Unrestricted Donation Knapp, Cynthia Unrestricted Donation Tarlton, Peter

Unrestricted Donation Kroll, Jason Unrestricted Donation Tefft, Carvel

Unrestricted Donation Lesser, Marvin Unrestricted Donation Torrey, W. Peter

Unrestricted Donation Lewis, Frederick Unrestricted Donation The Weyrick Family

Unrestricted Donation Lobdell, Kathe Unrestricted Donation Witzling, Mara

Unrestricted Donation MacDonald, A.T. Michael Unrestricted Donation Wolowitz, Susan

Unrestricted Donation Marston Fund (NHCF) Unrestricted Donation Wood, Roger

Unrestricted Donation McCracken, Janet Unrestricted Donation Wright, Ursula

Unrestricted Donation McCurdy, Garvin Unrestricted Donation Yerdon, Lawrence

Unrestricted Donation Miller, Faith Grant National Endowment for the Humanities

Unrestricted Donation Mitchell, Rebecca Grant Winebaum Fund (NHCF)

Unrestricted Donation Montgomery, D. Bruce

Unrestricted Donation Morrill, Robert

Unrestricted Donation Morris, Jennifer

Unrestricted Donation Munton, James

Unrestricted Donation Munton, Stephen

Unrestricted Donation Murray, Michael

Unrestricted Donation Nerbonne, G. Patrick

Unrestricted Donation Payzant, John

Unrestricted Donation Purinton, William

Unrestricted Donation Ritzo, James

Unrestricted Donation Robbins, John

Unrestricted Donation Rodde, Laetitia

Unrestricted Donation Rowland, Rodney

Unrestricted Donation Ruitberg, Arthur

Unrestricted Donation Russ, James

Unrestricted Donation Rux, Sandra

Unrestricted Donation Sarni, Anthony

Unrestricted Donation Sawtelle, Gayle

Gift Acknowledgements 2018

Fund Donor Fund Donor

Unrestricted Donation Scholz-Cohen, Patricia

Unrestricted Donation Shanley, James

Unrestricted Donation Sherburne, Andrew

Unrestricted Donation Sherman, Thomas MD

Unrestricted Donation Shields, Simone

Unrestricted Donation Smith, Marjorie

Unrestricted Donation Smith, Stacey

Unrestricted Donation Steidle, Craig

THE PORTSMOUTH ATHENAEUM

Report of the Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee of The Portsmouth Athenaeum submits the following nominations for officers and

directors for terms commencing in 2019 for consideration by the Proprietors at the 200th Annual Meeting scheduled for

January 27, 2019.

Secretary (to 2020) 1 year term Douglas S. Aykroyd Treasurer (to 2020) 1 year term Jeffrey W. Keefe For Director (to 2022) 3 year term Ellen J. Fineberg For Director (to 2022) 3 year term Sandra Rux For Director (to 2022) 3 year term Lynne Crocker

November, 2018 Respectfully Submitted,

Ronan P. Donohoe

Thomas R. Watson

Donald S. Margeson

Nominating Committee

Report of the Admissions Committee 2018

The Admissions Committee met on four occasions and unanimously approved the following applications: Share transfer of share 38 from Stephen Decatur to his niece, Beverly Daniel. Beverly is a retired English teacher who lives with her family in Wayland, MA. She is recommended by her uncle Stephen, Richard Candee, and John Rice. Share transfer of share 217 from Brian Phelan to David Van Rossum. David lives in Rye, is President/CEO of Service Credit Union, and is very interested in local history. He is recommended by Brian Phelan, Michael Labrie, and C. Wesley Gardner. For Subscriber: Gillian Aguillar is a long-time Friend of the Athenaeum who lives on Bow Street. She is a retired teacher of German and French at Belmont High School and is endorsed by Ronan Donahoe, Herb Kingsbury, and Gail Drobnyk. Porter Manvel Davis is an executive in a chemical distribution company who lives with his wife Megan in North Hampton. He is endorsed by William Wagner, Patricia Philbrook, and Eric Gregg. G. Wesley DeVries is a retired consultant with interest in historic libraries. He lives in downtown Portsmouth with his wife Susan Franz. Wes is recommended by Peter Rice, Melissa Alden, and Jude Blake. Joan Toomey Hammond is a retired school librarian who is an active volunteer with the New Castle Historical Society and has a long family history in the Seacoast region. She lives in Portsmouth with her husband Glenn and is endorsed by Richard Toomey, Edward Caylor, and Elizabeth Aykroyd. Kristin Goodwillie is also a Friend of the Athenaeum and an active volunteer on the Performance Committee. She lives in Portsmouth, has been a teacher at the Walnut Hill School and an Appraiser for Northeast Auctions. She is recommended by Ellie Sanderson, Mike Chubrich, and Tom Hardiman. Susan MacDougall is a teacher, graphic designer, and co-owner of a natural foods company who lives in Portsmouth and is involved with many local museums and nonprofits. She is recommended by Dr. Kenneth Cohen, Susan Hamilton, and Tim Ellis. Susan Baer Noerdlinger formerly taught at the Chapin School and is involved with many local organizations. She lives in downtown Portsmouth with her husband Mayo. Susan is endorsed by Jason Kroll, Frank Graf, and Ruth Griffin. Jay Louis Schadler is a journalist and artist with a studio in Portsmouth and who won two Emmy awards for his work as a correspondent for ABC news. He lives in Dover with his wife Jordan Cook. He is recommended by Gary Ghigliotti, Charles Tyrell, and James Fogarty Michael Schwartz is an educational services consultant and past Kennedy Scholar at Harvard. He lives in Rye with his wife Sharyn Potter and is endorsed by David Borden, Randolph Werner, and Cathy Hodson. Robert N. Stewart taught math at Walnut Hill School and Cheshire Academy and was the General Manager for Moran Towing for 40 years. He lives in Portsmouth and is endorsed by Carvel Tefft, Wendy Lull, and Martha Fuller Clark. Matthew Wood is an international fine art dealer and founding director of Mendes Wood DM Galley in Sau Paulo, New York City, and Brussels. He lives in New York, but grew up in the Athenaeum with his parents, Jeff and Sherry Wood, and visits frequently. He is recommended by Jeffrey Wood, Ronan Donohoe, and Tom Hardiman. Gary Ghigliotti, chairman Art and Artifacts Collection Committee

Annual Report – 2018 The Art and Artifacts Collection Committee is charged with the care and exhibition of the art and objects, as opposed to books, manuscripts, and photographs, in the Athenaeum’s possession. As part of this charge, for some years we have been re-cataloguing the art and artifacts collection. We completed this task at the end of the year. Now our collection may be viewed on the Athenaeum website. Acquisitions Two portraits of William Simes and his wife, Olive, by Ulysses Dow Tenney were given to the Athenaeum by Emily Arnold, a descendant of the sitters. William was a Proprietor and the originator of the “hard times token” from the 1830s. The portraits are hanging on the Mezzanine. Conservation The portrait of George Raynes by James L. Conner has returned after conservation and has been re-hung in the Reading Room. The hawk on the spar, which originally hung in the Reading Room, was mounted on a stand by John Mayer and has been installed in the "cabinet of curiosities" on the Mezzanine stairs. John Mayer also devised the new mounts for the Athenaeum fire buckets, which have returned to their place in the back hall. Grants We received a generous grant from the Thaxter Foundation for a secure viewing door for the "cabinet of curiosities" on the stairway to the Mezzanine. Tim Roy built both the door and some exhibit furniture to display the objects in the cabinet. The Athenaeum received a large grant for space planning for the Athenaeum as a whole. Our committee, as well as the rest of the staff, has been working with Barbara Moore and Peggy Hodges to compile the information needed by the consultant to make a comprehensive plan for our facility. Exhibits The committee aided the Exhibits Committee during the year by lending objects and paintings to exhibits in the Randall Gallery. Planning for the 2019 exhibit, "The Many Faces of George Washington," has begun and will include a number of prints from the Visual Images collection. We lost a long-time member of the committee with the death of Louise Dennett. She served many years on the committee, and we will miss her. However, we gained a new member when Alan Bennett joined us. His expertise on ship models will be very helpful to us. Members of the Art and Artifacts Committee in 2018 were Chair Elizabeth Aykroyd, Douglas Aykroyd, Alan Bennett, Pat Breslin, Rebecca Mitchell, Tara Vose Raiselis, Carolyn Roy, Sandra Rux, Elaine Tefft, Tammi Truax, Hilda Versluys, and Tom Hardiman, Keeper.

Performance Committee of ArtsAthenaeum -- Report for 2018 presented to the Annual Meeting of the Portsmouth Athenaum – January 27, 2019 The Performance Committee is happy and proud to report that 2018 was another highly successful year, thanks as usual to the generous support of staunch patrons of chamber music, and especially of the Athenaeum's Board of Directors. Firstly, the group planned and presented the following events on behalf of the Athenaum: January 18 -- the annual Memorial Concert, presenting Michael Blair, tenor, and Jim Prendergast, guitar, was held in the Sawtelle reading room March 2 -- Helene Papadopoulos, piano, at St. John's church, playing Bach's Goldberg Variations, a rare treat, indeed. December 2 -- the Noree Trio, at the Athenaeum, in music by Ravel and Mozart December 17 -- Great Bay Sailor, with our own Bruce MacIntyre, in a holiday concert at the Athenaeum.

The concerts listed above were presented by the Performance Committee, with the encouragement and financial support of the Athenaum Board of Directors, for the enjoyment and edification of the members of the Athenaum, who were able to attend without charge. There were receptions and refreshments provided after most of these concerts, thanks to the efforts of the Performance Committee members. The Performance Committee are proud to report, also, that these four events were produced at a cost well inside the Board's generous budgetary guideline. Secondly, Historic Portsmouth Chamber Music, a direct outgrowth of the talents and energies of the Athenaum's Performance Committee, enjoyed another solidly successful year in 2018, with generous support from numerous patrons and subscribers, as well as the largest ticket sales yet seen. We were able to close the year with a modest surplus. The series presented: Neave Piano Trio at St. John's church on July 29: music of Ravel, Fauré and Shostakovich a sextet from A Far Cry at Kittery's Dance Hall on August 26: Verklärte Nacht of Schoenberg, and works by Beethoven and Mozart Omer String Quartet at North Church on September 23: quartets by Haydn and Schumann, and Beethoven's Grosse Fuge Emily Smith, violin and Constantine Finehouse, piano at New Castle Congregational Church on October 28: Janaĉek, Beethoven and Brahms. Everyone is hereby notified that HPCM has been newly renamed "Portsmouth Athenaeum Chamber Music" or PACM, in order directly to make it clear that the chamber music series is a community outreach program of the Portsmouth Athenaeum. Since HPCM, now PACM, began eight years ago, Portsmouth has become a destination city for both performers and audiences of classical chamber music, and several other chamber concert series have indeed appeared on the local scene. Happily, there is enough interest and talent to go around, and classical music in Portsmouth has never been more avidly received. Athenaeum members are reminded, too, that CD's of many of our concerts, both "in-house" and under PACM, are available to you as circulating items in the Athenaum collection. It is my honor to serve as the chairman/spokesman of the Performance Committee, but it must be emphasized that all the committee members deserve praise and thanks for their energetic hard work, talents, ideas and generosity. They include: Sally Gayer (our representative on the Board of Directors), Kristin Goodwillie (Social Chairman), Sharon Griffin (Recording Secretary), Bruce MacIntyre (Folk Music Consultant), Andrew Moore (Financial Officer), Susan Potters (Talent Coordinator), Ellie Sanderson (Emerita), Heather Thomsen (Historian), Tom Hardiman (ex officio), and Bill Wieting (Chairman). Our appreciation of Tom Hardiman, of course, is, as ever, almost beyond expression – his dignified patience, willing drudgery (chairs, tables, etc.), and endless knowledge make him a treasure beyond price. 2019 will see ongoing programs of great variety and interest: First, the Memorial Concert commemorating those Proprietors who died during 2018 will be held on Thursday, February 7 at 4 p.m.; after reading the life stories of our deceased friends, we will present Geoffrey Wieting in recital on the magnificent LeTourneau pipe organ at St. John's church. Geoff plans to present as well some vintage music on the Brattle organ (built in 1702, when Bach was 17 years old), and the public is invited to attend, gratis. On May 4 the in-house Athenaeum concerts will present a trio and a quartet featuring seven graduate students of music from the University of New Hampsire - that concert will probably be held at North Church, across the square. In the fall we hope to present a concert of music for brass choir starring members of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, a holiday concert by Great Bay Sailor, and possibly another program for the membership. PCAM plans four chamber concerts, including returns by the Omer Quartet, Naeve Trio, and musicians from A Far Cry, as well as a concert by Sebastian Halverstam, cello, with Constantine Finehouse at the piano. As noted above, this is an exciting time for classical music in Portsmouth and the Seacoast region, and I am proud that the Athenaeum is a vital part of this renaissance. The Performance Committee members are united in their enthusiasm

and energy, and grateful to the Board of Directors and the members of the Athenaeum for their encouragement and support. Respectfully submitted, W. F. Wieting, M.D. Chairman

Development Committee The Development Committee is an Ad Hoc Committee that was convened last winter at the request of President Roberts. Our charge was to develop a legacy-giving program for the Athenaeum. Our committee members include Jeff Keefe, Peggy Hodges, Alan Bennett, David Borden, Tom Hardiman, C.J Cogswell and Ellen Fineberg. Ellen has since stepped off the committee in her role as interim director of the Portsmouth Historical. Our first step was to reach out to all the Athenaeums/membership libraries across the United States to determine best practices and what might work well for us. At the same time, we looked at what other non-profits are doing in Portsmouth. In the interim, we learned that we already have a legacy giving society—the Nathaniel Adams Society--but that information about it was not readily available. We also learned that a substantial portion of the bequests made to the Athenaeum in past years are from non-members. It was clear that a robust, new initiative was needed. The Committee voted to change the name of the Nathaniel Adams Society to the Portsmouth Athenaeum Legacy Society. The name change clearly takes the guess-work out of who we are and what we do. Before we went public, we contacted all Nathanial Adams Society members to attain “blessing” for the change. There was no problem raised. We are in the process now of finalizing a new brochure about PALS and planning a giving-recognition “bookcase.” Books with the donor’s name on the binding cover, will be placed on the appropriate giving-level shelf in a custom bookcase in the window at the foot of the stairs. This is an idea we picked up from the Charleston, S.C., Athenaeum. A PALS luncheon will be held at least every other year. We will also be publishing updates in the Athenaeum newsletter as well as separate annual mailings to the membership. The Committee will continue to meet throughout 2019 and will morph into a much-needed standing committee next year should a proposed By-Law change be approved at the 2020 membership meeting. We believe that for PALS to be successful, our efforts must be on-going and vibrant. Hopefully a standing Development Committee will do just that. Respectfully submitted, John Rice, chair

2018 Library Committee Annual Report

The Library Committee works with Athenaeum staff and committees to acquire, curate and make accessible the content of the Athenaeum Library in support of the Athenaeum’s mission. The Committee also supports the day-to-day work of library staff by developing library policy, as well as planning and budgetary initiatives; educating and advocating for the library; fostering collaborations with other organizations; and fundraising for special projects. While in-house use of our research collections was down in 2018, email and telephone research inquiries, as well as online catalog searches, remained strong, supporting the notion that increasing access to our collections ultimately lies in digitization on online platforms. Anticipating this shift, librarian Robin Silva is currently supervising volunteers in digital scanning of all small manuscript collections, pamphlets and pamphlet covers, Portsmouth ephemera, and circulating library book covers. These projects will enhance our searchable online catalog, making it easier for patrons and researchers to identify items they are looking for. Use of our circulating library continues to grow, as readers find a wealth of intriguing titles available on the expanded shelves in the Reading Room. Readership is up, while cataloging is down substantially; this is a function of more books remaining available for longer periods of time on the Reading Room shelves, as well as

a more disciplined purchasing policy. As a result, we have successfully relieved some pressure on the Athenaeum’s chronically over-capacity book stacks while continuing to meet the needs and expectations of our readers. The 2018 Library Conservation project—our second trial of an annual conservation fundraiser—once again drew enthusiastic and generous support from our members, and achieved its ambitious goal. With the $4,875 raised, we were able to treat four important and endangered 19th c. maps of Portsmouth from our collections, including digital restoration of the 1866 Plan of the Residence of Hannah Ladd; restoration and digitization of the 1876 FW Beers Map of Portsmouth; and conservation and digitization of the 1887 Champernoun Farm Plot Plan and the 1888 Creek Farm Plot Plan. The Library and Special Collections Committees are currently evaluating a “short list” of candidates for the 2019 Library Conservation fundraiser; final candidates—and the official kickoff of the fundraiser—will be announced in early spring. Respectfully submitted, Peggy Hodges Chair, Library Committee 2018 Special Collections Committee Report

The goal of Special Collections is to keep manuscripts, imprints, ephemera, serials and photographs from leaving

this area and to buy items that should come back to Portsmouth.

As usual, a large number of Proprietors donated everything from single items to whole collections. J. Dennis Robinson

regularly searches eBay; Tom Hardiman, archivist Susan Kindstedt and I also check eBay, bookseller’s catalogs and paper

fairs for historic photos, imprints, and manuscripts that Athenaeum doesn’t already have. Gifts from eBay came into the

collection this year as gifts from me, Kinley Gregg, and Tom Hardiman. We also purchased there several letters by

Elizabeth Spaulding with good descriptions of Portsmouth 1820-22, an 1845 women’s temperance petition broadside, an

anonymous ledger 1849-63 for a Portsmouth painter that Susan Kindstedt later identified as ship and housepainter

Lewis A. Bruce.

In 2018, too, we added another 46 letters to the huge Israel Kimball Jr. collection of manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera

we acquired over the past two years.

Gifts of manuscripts --from single items to whole collections — in 2018 were made by many Athenaeum Proprietors: Cynthia

Knapp (Mechanic Fire Society manuscripts), David Sanderson (deeds and probates), Jake Elwell (Dyer family materials), Douglas

Aykroyd (Col. Margeson maps and drawings of Puerto Rico), Joan Christy (journals of a 1923-24 Portsmouth High School

student) and Sandy Warwick (many wills and estate papers of the Langdons, Elwyns, and Wendells).

Other gifts were made by non-members who saw the Athenaeum as the most appropriate repository. These include: Jane

Frisbee Spink (a 1725 Pepperrell shipping document), Sharlene Ferrin (an 1825 Haven deed), Eric Cunningham (a 1939 radio

transcript from the USS Wyoming), Robert P. Fuller (a dozen 19th c. railroad documents), Stacey Rogers (Morley Button Factory

documents and ephemera), Robert Carter (an 1864 Navy Yard letter book), and Ann Fayles in memory of P. David DeFoscia (an

1920 letter from Nathaniel A. Haven to William Sohier).

The largest such gift was from Kathleen McInerney: more than 2300 letters, documents, photos and diaries from the Haven and

Pugh families 1808-1984 both in manuscript and digital scans that were the materials for her own book.

A number of these 2018 additions included photographs and slides, One group show Kimball’s department store interiors and

staff outings in the 1950s. Also, Wendy Pirsig donated another batch of maybe 500 slides which include the Portsmouth Jubilee

and the Pease Airforce Base. We are also collaborating with Strawberry Banke and the Public Library on a Haven School Project

to copy candid photographs and slides of that school’s sports clubs, assemblies, parent/teacher meetings, etc. Many individuals

loan such photographs to allow us to add digital scans to our collection, preferring to keep the original prints. The past year

Peter Randall has scanned 250 photos (out of 500 + prints and slides) from the family of coach Arthur C. Clough. Valerie

Cunningham donated portrait photos from the Black History Trail’s “Lift Every Voice” and Jill Nooney donated a small number

of local images from her mother, photographer Dinanda H. Nooney (a student of Walker Evans) from the years she lived in

Portsmouth.

But the most outstanding gift of photographs was the gift of the heirs of Douglas Armsden, a local photographer from the

1930s into the 21st century who had already gifted his negatives of local historic houses to us many years ago. This past year’s

gift includes not only Portsmouth and surrounding towns in New Hampshire and some in southern Maine, but all of the rest of

New Hampshire as well. Many of the non-local N.H. images appeared in two well-known locally published magazines The

Shoreliner (1950-1952) and New Hampshire Profiles from 1952 to the mid-1960s when Peter Randall took over editorship of

that magazine. The Armsden collection also contains hitherto unknown “stills” of several films made by Louis deRochemont,

the Hollywood producer and filmmaker who was a sometimes Newington resident. It was hitherto unknown that any

professional still photography was done during film production, providing views of the cast, crew, and local watchers.

We have already formed a few dedicated souls – especially Mary Carter and Bob Chase -- to help name people and places in the

unidentified prints and negatives and to match many to Armsden’s photographs in the films and magazines. This is important as

many researchers have used published pictures, but his originals (of both motion picture and magazine shots) are far clearer

and show much more detail.

All these were to the Athenaeum were delivered in two large batches by one of his daughters, Proprietor Beverley Armsden

Daniels. The 2018 gifts nearly double the total size of our existing photography collections – totaling perhaps 20,000 images.

As this huge collection is well outside our normal operation, we have begun a small campaign to raise money toward our

project goal. Processing, scanning and organizing the Armsden collection will take an enormous but satisfying effort if we can

raise the remaining $5000 of an estimated $6500 that it will take. Anyone wishing to contribute – either time or dollars (or

both) -- should contact photo archivist James Smith or Tom Hardiman.

Finally, I must thank all the professional staff – Tom Hardiman, Robin Silva, Carolyn Marvin, Katy Sternberger, James Smith,

Susan Kindstedt, and Roland Goodbody -- plus all the volunteer scanners -- for a very productive year of collecting and

processing that keeps our online presence and research library accessible for all kinds of local history research.

On behalf of the Special Collections Committee, J. Dennis Robinson and Tom Hardiman, and myself,

Richard M. Candee

Chair, Special Collections

2018 Annual Report Social Committee January 2019 The Social Committee met 6 times this past year and was responsible for organizing and preparing refreshments for the Annual Meeting, on January 28, the Annual Summer Picnic, on Aug 21 two New Member Teas, on April 3 and October 2, respectively, plus the Annual Holiday Party at the Athenaeum, on December 7. We also assisted the Membership Committee with their Open House for Prospective Members, on June 21. The events of the past year were well attended. Typically, about 70 members attend the Annual meeting. I believe fewer than that number were present at the 2018 meeting. The New Member Teas usually have about 20 members attending. That number was exceeded in April , for a total of 30 members. However, the October Tea had about 10 participants which was understandable as there were only 6 new members to be invited. The Annual Picnic event exceeded all expectations with 110 persons counted and raving reviews of the quality and quantity of the pot luck dishes prepared by members. The Board President hired the Overtones to sing at the event and, although the outdoor venue does not lend itself well acoustically, about half the members were able to hear the professional and enthusiastic music. The Social Committee is grateful to many people who made the Annual Holiday Party at the Athenaeum possible. Tom Hardiman, Jeff Keefe, Peter Rice, Dick Adams, and the Board of Directors were essential participants in the process. Jeff Keefe undertook the business of contacting the Fire Department and starting the process. There was a great deal of work, as was dictated by the Portsmouth Fire Department, to be organized, directed and completed, before the Party could be planned. Tom Hardiman and the Athenaeum Staff managed work with and around contractors during this process. Thank you all, for making it possible for the 2018 Annual Holiday Party to be held at the Athenaeum. The new limit, set by the Fire Inspector, on the number of people attending events at the Athenaeum means that we will have to solve the problem of people ignoring the RSVP date. Regretfully, the Social Committee must have an absolute deadline for RSVP to the Holiday Party.

This limit is not flexible. No exceptions can be made and anyone who arrives who is not on the guest list

will have to be turned away.

Disregarding the limit, will risk being denied the permit to hold the party at the Athenaeum for the foreseeable future.

We appreciate your understanding and adherence to this sensitive but serious situation.

We have been fortunate to have three members of our Committee represent us on the Board of Directors, as well. Jan Dinan, Doug Aykroyd, and Peter Rice were essential in communicating the needs of the Social Committee, especially given the unusual circumstances regarding the Holiday Party. We have many people helping us at our social events throughout the year. I would like to thank the following people who assist by serving as Wine Stewards: Wendy Lull; Karen Bouffard; Stephen Roberts; Clint Springer; Curtis Springer; Frank and Pat Breslin; Douglas Aykroyd; Donald Margeson; Ed Caylor; Mark Ankarberg; Jeff Hopper; Sandra Rux; Alan Haesche; and Rod Watterson. Special thanks to Douglas Aykroyd and Peter Rice, who organized the wine stewards, bought the beverages and set up the beverage serving locations. I would like to thank Lois and Bud DesRochers, again this year, for loaning and setting up the tables and chairs for the Annual Picnic. It is so much easier than hauling out the heavy tables and chairs available at the Seacoast Science Center! Respectfully Submitted, Cynthia Knapp Chairman, Social Committee

THE PORTSMOUTH ATHENAEUM Report of the Technology Committee January 2019 The Technology Committee met in 2018 to review technology issues facing the Athenaeum. We continued the service contract that we initiated in 2006 with Lenharth Systems, as they have provided excellent technical support. The committee met with Lenharth Systems to plan for the 2019 budget. We agreed that we needed to look at alternatives to Great Works for the internet. Will Lenharth said he would contact Comcast Business for quotes. Past Perfect was upgraded with no significant issues. Also the security system and QuickBooks were upgraded and one scanner was replaced. We agreed that we need a scanner for slides but they are no longer being manufactured. Will Lenharth said he knew someone who might be willing to make one available. The Drobo is being replaced with backups to the cloud. We decided to plan on purchasing two new computers in 2019 at an approximate cost of $800 each. We also had budgeted the purchase of two computers in 2018, of which only one had been purchased at the time of our meeting. We agreed that the second computer should be purchased in 2018. A computer monitor inventory was done. Lenharth Systems had some monitors in stock that it could swap if needed. If you have any suggestions for technology initiatives in 2018 please pass them on to me or any of the committee members. The members are: Rose Eppard, Tom Hardiman, Robin Silva, and Gail Drobnyk.