On Saturday, August 20th the Portsmouth Athenaeum will transport us back to the years immediately following the American Civil War. Once again, the Athenaeum has partnered with the Essex Base Ball Association to bring vintage base ball to Portsmouth. The Portsmouth Rockingham’s will host the Whipple Base Ball Club of Kittery for a double-header at historic Leary Field in downtown Portsmouth. The double-header starts at noon.
Adding to the civil war period theme for the day, the 12th New Hampshire Regiment Serenade Band will perform a concert of period music beginning at 10 am. The band recreates a typical small brass band that was a standard part of a civil war regiment and will be performing period music on period instruments.
Further adding to the period theme, on display throughout the day at Leary Field will be the recently restored Kearsarge Steam Fire Engine No. 3, a coal-fired, horse-drawn engine that served the City of Portsmouth for nearly a half-century beginning in 1870. The appearance of the Kearsarge on August 20thwill be its first public event since returning to Portsmouth. Portsmouth Fire Chief, Steven Achilles, author of the book “Portsmouth Fire Fighting,” will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions about the fire engine.
Following the games, members of the public are invited to join the players at a reception at Federal Cigar Bar at 36 Market Street in Portsmouth.