The first two weekends in February, the Hill House Museum hosted an art exhibit for a local artist, EAnn Stokes. Her works of art (paintings, jewelry, postcards, journals, etc...) were displayed for her friends and the general public to appreciate. She is in her 90's and still continues to contribute to the art world and her local community. She truly is a work of art herself!
Journal and Poetry book returns to the Museum
On January 24, 2015, Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding in Winchester, VA delivered the restored journal and poetry book back to the Hill House Museum.
The circa 1879 journal was found in the attic when the electric was being updated throughout museum. It was in poor condition, and Barbara and Saunders Early donated the funds to have this important piece of Hill House history restored and brought back to life.
The circa 1830 poetry book was written by John Thompson Hill Jr. and the Portsmouth Historical Association provided the funds to have it restored and appreciated by all again.
Please stop by when the museum opens in the Spring 2015 for the season!
Hill House Art Conservation
On January 19, 2015, board members of Portsmouth Historical Association transported six Hill House Museum paintings in need of conservation to Richmond. This visit was sparked by a generous donation to spearhead the conservation of many of the paintings currently adorning the walls of the museum. Prices and a current plan to conserve the paintings will be drawn up by Cleo Mullins of the Richmond Conservation Studio and discussed in the next few weeks.
If interested in learning more about this project or making a donation to the conservation funding please email us.
Please watch the website as this project unfolds.
View of Lynnhaven River from porch of Sea Breeze
Sea Breeze Visit
SeaBreeze owners visit Hill House Museum
Susan Gorog, current owner of Sea Breeze, and her three sons visited the Hill House Museum on December 22, 2014. Sea Breeze in Virginia Beach, VA is the home purchased by the Hill family in 1918. In January the current Portsmouth Historical Association board members will visit Sea Breeze.
Welcome to the new Hill House Museum website!
It's not just our online presence that had been enjoying some attention: if you have been to the Hill House lately, you will have seen a lot of activity and some serious sprucing! But if you haven't visited lately, consider visiting us for the Holiday Home Tour (see our events listings) and view for yourself the results of the tireless efforts of volunteers par excellence Dan Schmidt, Dave Reitz and John Joyce. Another way to see the improvements is to enjoy a tour (see our open hours) and ask questions of docents wrangled by Bobbie Stewart! Inspired by what you see? Join the Portsmouth Historical Association (see our support page) and learn more about the rich history of our city!