Explore Portsmouth's Rich History with Project Pedicab!

Uncover the captivating stories of Portsmouth, NH, in a truly unique and eco-friendly way with a history tour from Project Pedicab! Our friendly and knowledgeable operators are not just drivers; they are storytellers committed to making your experience both enjoyable and efficient. Unlike traditional tours, our pedicabs offer an intimate, open-air experience that connects you directly to the heart of Portsmouth's past, all while promoting kindness and community spirit. 

Why Choose a Project Pedicab History Tour?

• Fun: Pedicab rides are fun!

• Intimate & Engaging: Get up close and personal with Portsmouth's historic sites. Our pedicabs allow for a more personal experience, fostering conversation and connection as you explore.

• Adaptive & Accessible: For those who wish to explore Portsmouth's charm but face mobility challenges, Project Pedicab offers an adaptive and accessible solution allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey. With Project Pedicab, Portsmouth's rich history and vibrant atmosphere are accessible to everyone.

• Eco-Friendly Exploration: Enjoy a sustainable way to see the city. Our pedicabs offer a fun and eco-friendly way to get around.

• Unique Perspective: Experience the city at a comfortable, conversational pace, allowing you to truly absorb the atmosphere and details of each location.

• Support a Cause: Every tour supports the Positive Pedicab Project's mission to spread positivity and foster a culture of kindness and generosity in Portsmouth.

Journey Through Time: Stories You'll Discover

Our operators are equipped to bring Portsmouth's rich history to life, sharing fascinating narratives about the city's transformation from a bustling colonial port to the vibrant cultural hub it is today. Here are just some of the powerful stories and sites you might encounter:

• Before Portsmouth: The Isles of Shoals and the Cod Fishing Boom Learn about the region's earliest European economic engine, driven by seasonal fleets of English fishermen seeking cod on the rocky Isles of Shoals, predating even the Pilgrims.

• From Strawbery Banke to a Global Port Discover how Portsmouth, originally named Strawbery Banke for its abundance of wild strawberries, was settled in 1623 at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, quickly becoming a major colonial port known for shipbuilding, fishing, and trade.

• William Whipple and the Living Monument to Independence See the magnificent horse chestnut tree at the Moffatt-Ladd House, reportedly planted by William Whipple, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, upon his return from Philadelphia in 1776, symbolizing a new nation. You'll also learn about Prince and Cuffee Whipple, the enslaved men who accompanied William Whipple, adding a crucial and complex layer to the story of liberty.

• Strawbery Banke Museum: Defying Urban Renewal Hear the inspiring story of how visionary local residents fought against "urban renewal" in the 1950s, saving over 30 historic homes on their original foundations in the "Puddle Dock" neighborhood, creating a "living history" museum.

• Prescott Park: A Temperance Crusade on the Waterfront Explore the beautiful Prescott Park, once the city's "Barbary Coast" filled with taverns and brothels. Learn how the Prescott sisters systematically bought and tore down these establishments to create a public green space, transforming a "red-light district" into a field of roses. You might even pass by 57 Marcy Street, one of the last surviving testaments to this gritty era, revealing a complex story of vice and virtue.

• The Frank Jones Brewery: The King of the Ales Discover the rags-to-riches story of Frank Jones, who built one of the largest ale producers in the world in Portsmouth, becoming the city's most powerful figure and bringing immense wealth and employment.

• The African Burying Ground Memorial Visit this sacred and important site, honoring Portsmouth's free and enslaved Africans buried in unmarked graves from the 17th to 19th centuries, a vital part of telling the city's full history.

• The Story of Ona Judge: The President's Enslaved Woman Who Chose Freedom Learn the powerful and courageous story of Ona Judge, an enslaved woman who escaped from George Washington's household and found freedom here in Portsmouth, bravely defying recapture efforts and living the rest of her life as a free woman.

• From Grime to Grandeur: The Transformation of Portsmouth in the 1960s and '70s Understand how Portsmouth evolved from a blue-collar, military town with a "rough-and-tumble energy" to the vibrant artistic and culinary haven it is today, shaped by shifts in preservation and the eventual closure of Pease Air Force Base. This includes the poignant story of the
  North End, a once-vibrant working-class community, largely "Little Italy," that was erased by urban renewal in the 1960s, leaving a lasting impact on the city's development philosophy.

• The Music Hall Discover the history of New Hampshire's oldest operating theater, from its Vaudeville origins and ownership by Frank Jones to its transformation into a movie palace and subsequent rescue and restoration by dedicated citizens, becoming a vibrant cultural heart of the Seacoast.

Book your Project Pedicab history tour today and journey through the captivating past of Portsmouth, NH!