Looking for docents for the 2019 tour season

Looking for an exciting service opportunity?  The Hill House Museum is seeking enthusiastic, welcoming individuals to volunteer as a historical docent.  Simply bring your enthusiasm for learning and working with the public along with your appreciation for history.  The Hill House Museum docents learn and are trained about the original stories and the colorful Hill family members who lived there for many years. You can volunteer as little as one day a month, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays or Saturdays.  Training is provided and volunteering can be a great way to develop new skills, make friends, garner new professional contacts, get exercise, spend time with neighbors, or even just shake up your routine.

For more information please call David @ 757.714.3223 or email info@thehillhousemuseum.org

Portsmouth Wedding Attire needed....

The Hill House is developing a special exhibit of wedding attire and customs from the history of Portsmouth. We will be displaying wedding attire, and associated announcements, invitations, etc.

If you are willing to loan and allow the display of such items, please contact

Susan Taylor Hansen: susantaylor.hansen@gmail.com or 757-620-1833.

"Decking out" the Museum

The Hill House Museum is ready to usher in the holiday season.  Even though the museum has been closed for renovations it still has lights in the windows and a wreath hung on the door. 

Wreaths Across America Day

December 15th is designated as Wreaths Across America Day. In support of this day, many volunteers inlcuding neighborhood children placed wreaths throughout Cedar Grove Cemetary. Attached are pictures of the plot of William C. Hill, the Hill Sister's Brother, who served in the Spanish American War.

This kind gesture ensures a veteran's sacrifice is remembered yet again and passed on to a new generation of Americans.

Make a Restoration Donation (tax deductible)

The preservation of history is paramount. The Hill House Museum is the only historic home museum in Portsmouth, VA. Like most non-profits today, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to raise the needed funds for house/grounds maintenance and repairs, as well as general monthly operating expenses. Recently, the Hill House Museum has undertaken a large restoration project due to many years of termite damage, and general age-related problems. (The last major restoratio...n was done in 1974).
The rich Portsmouth history is reflected at the Hill House Museum in the fortunes and fate of the Hill Family. Through fundraisers, memberships, and donations, PHA has been able to provide quality educational programs, archival projects, and many other historic ventures. All funds received go to the restoration and preservation at the Hill House Museum, and the continuing mission of the Association to preserve and tell the story of the history of Portsmouth. Our website is www.thehillhousemuseum.org and find us on Facebook/Instagram.
The mission of PHA is to preserve, share, and educate the public about the Historic Hill House and all of Historic Portsmouth. We are a private foundation filing a 990-F tax form and a Private Foundation as determined under the section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code. Donations to our volunteer based, independent, non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization are tax deductible.

Checks should be made payable to the Portsmouth Historical Association (PHA) and mailed to:
Hill House Museum
221 North Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Also, payments can be made through Paypal online at www.thehillhousemuseum.org and fill out the form by clicking on support and join.
Email: info@thehillhousemuseum.org

Hill House Gardens

Even though it's Autumn, it still looks like summer in the Hill House Gardens. Everything is still in full bloom and nature is enjoying its' harvest. A BIG thank you goes out to Shelley Fones, of the Gardening Angel, for her hard work and dedication to maintaining the gardens to its fullest potential

October 2018 Museum Day

On Saturday, October 6, 2018 the Hill House Museum helped sponsor the sailors from the USS Constellation and soldiers from Fort Norfolk as they discussed the Battle of Craney Island and the role that Portsmouth and its militia played in the War of 1812. This event was in conjunction with Portsmouth's Museum Day. Everyone who stopped by not only learned more about their tools, food/drink, weapons, and personal items but also about the Hill House as well.

To learn more about about this unit find them on their Facebook page "Fort Norfolk and Frigate Constellation, 1812".

Visit from the mayor of Portsmouth, England

The Councillor Lee Mason, the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, UK, visited Portsmouth, VA this past week. A special tea hosted by Trinity Episcopal Church was given in his honor. The Portsmouth Historical Association partnered with this event by loaning the Hill House Museum silver tea set, brewed its' signature Five Sister’s blend tea, and helped welcome him to the sister city. A special thanks to Lane Killam, Debbie Evans, Bobbie Stewart, Dan Schmit, and Maryanne Chichester for their help.

Follow the Hill House Museum on Instagram...

The Hill House Museum now has Instagram. Continue to follow us and find out what is going on at HHM.

Update on the Current Restoration at the Hill House Museum...

What is going at the Hill House Museum and why have we been closed????

Click on the link below from the local news section of the Virginian Pilot about the current Hill House restoration efforts and progress. Also, you might learn something you didn’t know about the Hill family or this historic home.

https://pilotonline.com/news/local/article_66ad58a2-77c1-11e8-a4e7-4bc5765785c3.html