The latest edition of the City of Portsmouth Community Program Guide is now out, and it is filled with lots of things to do in our city for the upcoming months. Click on the link below to see what is happening and page 19 in particular has the Hill House events listed for October-December.
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall – which is the fairest one of all?”
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall – which is the fairest one of all?”
John Joyce has completed the restoration of both overmantel mirrors in the second-floor parlors of the Hill House, and we want our viewers to weigh-in on which one of the two “newly” restored mirrors is your favorite? Go to our Facebook page and leave us a comment.
When John started the mirror restoration, he was hopeful he would find the original gold-gilding under the gold paint. Gilding is a decorative technique for applying a very thin coating of gold to solid surfaces. After several attempts and experimenting in different places on the mirrors he was unsuccessful of uncovering traces of this decorative technique. Gilding was found in only a very few areas on both mirrors. Apparently, the gilding was stripped at some point and the frames were painted with gold paint. In-turn, John was able to put his past restoration efforts to work. As you can see from the attached pictures, he applied new gilding in many places on the mirrors and painted parts of it black highlighting the gold accents. The final products as you can see are amazing.
Which mirror is the fairest one of all? Let us know which one of the two newly restored mirrors you like the most, and please stop by the museum on Wednesdays and Saturdays and check them out in person.
Face Mask at the Hill House Museum
For the safety of everyone in our community, all visitors age 3 and up are required to wear a face mask in the Hill House Museum, regardless of vaccination status. Thank you
Fall 2021 Hill House Museum Events
October 9, 2021
Museum Day
9:00am-4:00pm
On Saturday, October 9, 2021 the Hill House Museum will host the sailors from the USS Constellation and soldiers from Fort Norfolk as they discus the Battle of Craney Island and the role Portsmouth and its militia played in the War of 1812. This event will be in conjunction with Portsmouth's Museum Day and will be set-up in the gardens of the museum. Everyone who stops by the Hill House Museum will not only learn more about the sailor’s tools, food/drink, weapons, and personal items but also tour the Hill House as well, Portsmouth’s only historic home museum. Free to the public.
October 29, 2021
Night At the Museum
7:30pm-10:30pm
Stop by the Hill House Museum Friday evening and tour it at night. The museum will be decorated with mourning textiles along with a “make-shift” Victorian funeral in the upstairs parlor and be introduced to Victorian mourning customs.
The Hill House Museum will be open on Friday, October 29th during the Olde Towne Civic League Ghost Walk from 7:30pm-10:30pm. Only $5 per person to tour the museum at night and view the exhibit. Tickets sold at the door the night of the tour and at Cider Park during Ghost Walk.
November 6, 2021
Autumn Public Tea and Olde Towne Walking tour
2:00pm is the walking tour
3:00pm is the tea
Autumn is a great time of year to enjoy a warm cup of Hill House tea surrounded by the trappings of a by-gone era and entertained by Evelyn Hill herself (portrayed by Karen Washburn) as she tells the history of the Hill family. Before the tea, take a walk with Evelyn through the largest collection of standing architecture from different eras between Alexandria, VA and Charleston, SC as she highlights some of Portsmouth’s history through stories and song. (Weather permitting, the Tea will be held in the outside gardens).
$40 per person (the walk is included in this price)
($35 for PHA members)
*All proceeds go to the continued restoration of the museum. To make a reservation, visit our website, Facebook page, email (info@thehillhousemuseum.org), or call 757-714-3223. The museum is not handicap accessible and stairs are involved and seating is limited.
December 11, 2021
Holiday Public Tea
3:00 p.m.
Come celebrate a Holiday Tea event at the Hill House, and enjoy a wonderful assortment of desserts, scones, and sandwiches as you savor a cup of our famous Hill House blend tea. Also, the museum will be decorated for the holidays assuring to uplift your holiday spirts or rekindle a festive memory.
$35 per person
($30 for PHA members)
*All proceeds go to the continued restoration of the museum. To make a reservation, visit our website, Facebook page, email (info@thehillhousemuseum.org), or call 757-714-3223. The museum is not handicap accessible and stairs are involved and seating is limited.
Looking for Tour Guides
Are you as smart as a fifth grader? Do you like to party like it’s 1825?
If you answered “yes” to either question, then the Hill House Museum in Portsmouth is the place for you! Come and join Our Gang (it’s perfectly legal) of Volunteers and Docents who give tours, put on special seasonal events (like teas and Night at the Museum), and keep the legacy of the Hill Family relevant to 21st century life.
You don’t have to be a history major to volunteer, but we promise you’ll learn about portieres and girandoles in the process (which will definitely impress your relatives at those awful holiday family dinners). Best of all, there is a parking lot next to the museum, so you don’t have to worry about decal-controlled street parking or garage fees. It’s a better offer than anything the Corleone Family could make. You can refuse, but we hope you won’t!
For more information, email us at info@thehillhousemuseum.org or call 757-714-3223.
Serenity and Relaxation
Looking for some serenity? Stop by and enjoy the Hill House Gardens. June is Great Outdoors Month – an annual reminder to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outdoors!
The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays noon-3:00.
Garden Tour and Saplings
The Hill House Museum is giving out free trees during the Doors, Porches, and Gardens tour on Saturday (May 15) 10:00-4:00. The varieties available are: (see links for size, planting, etc.)
Trident maple – Acer beurgerianum
https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/acebuea.pdf
Red Buckeye – Aesculus pavia
http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/aespava.pdf
Shumard Oak – Quercus shumardii
http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/QUESHUA.pdf
Muhly Grass – Muhlenbergia capillaris
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FP/FP41500.pdf
A big thank you goes out to Bobby Nance with Bartlett Tree Experts for donating the tree saplings. Stop by the Hill House on Saturday for a free tree(s). If you have questions, call 757-714-3223.
First Day of Spring 2021 and May Tour!
It’s the vernal equinox, the first day of spring! The Hill House Museum is excited to be part of the Olde Towne Civic League's Doors, Porches, and Gardens Tour on May 15th! A self-guided tour of the hidden gems of Olde Towne! Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online, at select High Street locations, or the day of the event.
Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 10 AM EDT – 4 PM EDT
Tickets
Tour changes and update
The Hill House Museum will be closed for tours until May 15th. However, if anyone reaches out via email or Facebook and wants a tour, we will accommodate the request. Thanks and be safe.
Shop Local for unique holiday gifts
The Hill House Museum is open Wednesday, December 9th noon-3:00. Stop by and check out our unique holiday shop, and also take a tour. Our unique glass ornaments and holiday tea bags have been a hit. Also, we have our famous box of "Five Sisters" blend tea available, and 19th Century shard china ornaments.
Can't make it Wednesday? We are open again Saturday noon-3:00 or by appointment on other days. Call (757-714-3226) Facebook message, or email.
