The Treaty of Portsmouth (Portsmouth Peace Treaty)

For a month's view Calendar, click here.

The Fells:"Partners in Diplomacy: TR & John Hay" - July 31, 2010
Web: www.thefells.org

John Hay, TR's Secretary of State, built The Fells in Newbury NH on Lake Sunapee. In 2010 this exhibit explains the relationship between Roosevelt and Hay. President Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for orchestrating the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. John M. Hay, Fells founder and Roosevelt's Secretary of State, was instrumental in Open Door policy diplomacy in Asia that preceded the peace conference in Portsmouth (although he died before the Treaty negotiations began). During Roosevelt's 1902 Presidential visit to New Hampshire he stayed at The Fells. This exhibit examines some of the lasting contributions of these two men in U.S.-East Asian relations and the story of the Treaty of Portsmouth.

The house is open for tours on weekends. June 23 through Sep 6, 2010, open on Wed-Sun. Admission: Adults $8, Children 6-17, $3; under 6, free. 603-763-4789

Sep 08, 2010
NH State Archives Treaty Exhibit M-F

Sep 11, 2010
The Fells:"Partners in Diplomacy: TR & John Hay"

For information about ordering fine art prints of this Treaty Centennial symbol, and other commemorative items, click here.

Twitter.com: @PortsmthTreaty

To learn more about the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire

For information about the Russia Society of New Hampshire, write to
PO Box 177
Concord NH 03302-0177

Telephone: 603-226-2312

For the Russian-language Library of Congress description of the Treaty of Portsmouth, click here.

News and Links

To learn nore, the following books are available, click here to order:

Heroes & Friends: Behind the Scenes of the Treaty of Portsmouth by Michiko Nakanishi

There Are No Victors Here: A Local Perspective on the Treaty of Portsmouth by Peter E. Randall

Also available, click here for ordering:

An Uncommon Commitment to Peace Exhibit Catalogue published by the Japan-America Society of NH

Blessed Are the Peacemakers: The Service of Thanksgiving for the Portsmouth Treaty, September 5, 1905 by Marina Grot Turkevich Naumann

Original 1905 newsreel footage on DVD

Treaty of Portsmouth 1905-2005 book of reproduction historical postcards.

The Portsmouth Peace Process: Guide for Teachers by Northeast Cultural Coop

Pontine Theatre

"The Peace of Portsmouth"
An Original Play

Pontine Theatre premiered its original play, The Peace of Portsmouth to rave reviews on April 22nd and reprises performances for the Centennial celebration. Using period newspaper articles, historical photographs, and turn of the century music and staging techniques, Co-Artistic Directors, Greg Gathers and Marguerite Mathews (NH Artist Laureate 02-06), explore this international diplomatic event from the viewpoint of the local citizens. The Peace of Portsmouth provides a glimpse of Portsmouth as it was in the summer of 1905.

The entire text of Pontine's new play is drawn from historical sources, particularly research in local newspapers of the day which detailed a chronicle of intimate encounters between local townspeople and the foreign celebrities, including:

" A tea hosted by Mrs. Helen C. Knight, Portsmouth's oldest resident, which featured the use of genuine Japanese tea which the hostess had received as a gift over 30 years previously.

" Baron Rosen's embarrassed reaction to the crowd of camerists, who pursue him day and night to catch him dishabille.

" The Japanese Fete held in York Harbor featuring a jiu jitsu demonstration by Professor Yamashita and a host of local girls, dressed in Russian peasant garb and dispensing lemonade and other cooling drinks.

The creation and development of this piece was funded by grants from the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation and The NH State Council on the Arts. The premiere run was underwritten by Jefferson-Pilot Financial.

"The Peace of Portsmouth" premiered on April 22, 2005, ran through May 8, 2005 on Fridays, Saturdays (7:30pm) and Sundays (2:30pm) then resumed performances on Thursday Aug 11 and Sep 1 (8pm) and Sunday Aug 14 & 28 (4 pm)

Performances were held at Pontine's West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth. (Tickets $19; $16 for seniors, students and starving artists). Reservations recommended.

Pontine is conducting a Community Theatre Workshop in performance and stagecraft, using "The Peace of Portsmouth" on Tuesday evenings from September 16 Through October 28, 2008. For information, contact Pontine at 603-436-6660 or info@pontine.org

Portsmouth Herald (August 30, 2005) -- Space gives Pontine room to try different formats

Reviews:

Portsmouth Herald (4/28/05) -- History never looked so good

Foster's Daily Democrat (4/21/05) -- Pontine's new work is lovely, worthwhile

Foster's Daily Democrat (4/14/05) -- Pontine brings language of Treaty to life

Foster's Daily Democrat (4/14/05) -- Treaty marked by celebrations, play, bell-ringing