The Hill House Museum is closed today for tours, as the docents are on a field trip to Seabreeze farm in Virginia Beach. Seabreeze, acquired by the Hill family in 1918, became the main residence for the Hill sisters. Originally spanning 200 acres, Seabreeze was transformed into a horticultural wonderland renowned nationwide for its beauty. Although most of the land was sold to create a neighborhood, the original home remains intact. Stay tuned for more pictures and information once we return from our field trip!
Thank you HHM volunteers
As we step into volunteer appreciation week, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the amazing volunteers of the Hill House Museum. Your dedication, passion, and hard work are the driving forces behind the success of our tours, events, archiving, and so much more.
We recognize the countless hours you invest, the creativity you bring, and the positive energy you share. Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed, and we want you to know just how much you are appreciated.
Thank you for being the heart and soul of the Hill House Museum. Your passion and commitment inspire us all, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do. Here's to celebrating you this Volunteer Appreciation week/month and beyond!
Recent donation
Michael Hearn from Pittsfield, MA, and his sister, Michelle Fletcher of Georgetown, DE, descendants of Chandler Hill, recently donated a box filled with Hill family memorabilia to the Hill House Museum. The collection includes early photographs, postcards, Hill family recipes, and letters. It was a fantastic opportunity to receive such valuable items.
For those unfamiliar with Chandler Hill, he was the brother of the Hill sisters' father, John T. Hill Jr., making him their uncle. After both brothers returned from the Civil War, they lived in the Hill House with their respective wives. By the 1870s, Chandler and his family had moved to the Bain House at the corner of North and Court Streets before relocating to Norfolk. Chandler pursued a career in law, eventually becoming a judge in Norfolk.
A fascinating detail is John T. Hill had five daughters and one son, while Chandler had five sons and one daughter.
This generous donation has provided a deeper understanding of Chandler Hill's side of the family and will be preserved in the Hill family collection. The Hill House Museum sincerely appreciates the time and effort Michael and Michelle put into preserving their family history.
Tour clean-up day
A huge shoutout and thank you to the OTPCL Helping Hands Committee, led by Dallas LeFever, for their invaluable assistance in cleaning the Hill House Museum’s fence today. Thanks to their efforts, the Museum is now primed and looking its best for the upcoming OTPCL Doors, Porches, and Gardens tour on May 4th.
Tickets are $10. Purchase them here:
Tour Season Opening day
Our tour season kicks off Wednesday, April 10th, noon-3:00. Come by and explore Portsmouth's only historical house museum. The museum will be open for tours every Wednesday and Saturday noon-3:00.
Happy Easter
Let's celebrate the season of new beginnings with love, kindness, and gratitude. May your Easter be filled with happiness, blessings, and cherished memories.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Easter!
Hill family updates
Yesterday, Jack Erickson, a docent and historian at Hill House, hosted a very informative lecture on his latest research about the Hill family. The event was attended by Hill House Museum docents, who left with a profound understanding of the Hill family's history. We are immensely grateful for Jack's diligent efforts and commitment to delving into the depths of the Hill family's story, (he is still continuing his research). His dedication and the considerable amount of time he invested in his research have enriched us all with a deeper comprehension of the family's legacy. Thank you, Jack, for your invaluable contribution.
Hiram Simmons
Hidden Voices: Untold Stories in Our Community series:
Hiram Simmons (1874-1938)
Hiram emerged as an early African American composer hailing from Lincolnsville (he was born in Prince Anne County in Maryland) and was renowned for his compositions spanning piano, voice, chorus, and contributions to gospel music. A revered teacher and musician, Hiram Simmons dedicated his life to crafting and performing gospel and spiritual music. His legacy endures through the Church Music Publishing House, initially established in Berkley and later relocated to Portsmouth, which disseminated not only his own compositions but also those of numerous others in the region. The collection curated by Portsmouth librarian Bertha W. Edwards offers insights into Simmons' life and work, comprising published music, a photograph, and a biographical sketch. This collection stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Simmons’ work within the Portsmouth community and beyond. (source: Library of Congress)
Attached is a photograph capturing Mr. Simmons' residence at 113 Green Street, where he composed his music. The house once occupied the current location of Wawa. Another photograph features sheet music titled "The Song that Leads to Heaven," composed by Mr. Simmons. This particular copy is housed within the Lincolnsville Collection at the Hill House Museum.
Dr. JD Harris
Next in Hidden Voices: Untold Stories in Our Community series:
Joseph Dennis Harris (JD Harris) was born free around 1833 in Cumberland County, North Carolina. In June 1864, Harris assumed the role of acting assistant surgeon at the U.S. Army’s Balfour Hospital in Portsmouth. Initially responsible for overseeing one ward with 100 patients, his duties expanded over time to managing three wards.
During the Union occupation of Portsmouth, the Ocean House Hotel (formerly the Famous Department Store and later TCC Arts building) was converted into the Balfour General Hospital. This facility treated Union "colored soldiers" as well as free contraband people with Dr. Harris serving as the Acting Assistant Surgeon. He thus became the first African American doctor to practice in Portsmouth.
While stationed in Virginia, Harris became involved in politics. He initially engaged by adding his signature to the call for a national convention of African Americans, which was published in the Boston Liberator on September 16, 1864, although he did not physically attend the meeting. Harris likely participated in various local and state conventions organized by African American men in Virginia in the years following the Civil War. Moreover, he attended and delivered a brief speech at a conference of black and white Republicans held in Richmond in August 1867.
In 1863, during the Restored Government of Virginia, Thomas Russell Bowden nominated Harris for lieutenant governor (see attached 1863 ticket). Additionally, Lewis Lindsey, an African American delegate who had served in the Constitutional Convention of 1867–1868, endorsed Harris for this position.
Click on this links to learn more about Dr. JD Harris:
Hidden Voices: Untold Stories in Our Community
In collaboration with Black History Month, the Portsmouth Historical Association will be posting untold stories, during the month of February, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of prominent black citizens in Portsmouth. These narratives from the past aim to provide readers with insights into the significant impact that black citizens and buildings in Portsmouth had on the city's history. Through these hidden voices, the historical series seeks to unveil the influential contributions that may have been untold, offering a richer understanding of Portsmouth's diverse heritage.
The first untold story is about Dr. Eugene J. Bass.
For numerous years, Dr. Bass played a pivotal role in Portsmouth as a successful druggist and businessman. He was the proprietor of the E. J. Bass Drugstore, situated at 233 Green Street (Northeast corner of Green & London, presently the location of Children's Harbor). Established around 1896, the drugstore operated in the Lincolnsville area of Portsmouth, a significant neighborhood for the city's African American residents during that period.
Beyond its commercial functions, Dr. Bass's drugstore served as a vital information hub for the African American community in Portsmouth. It played a central role in disseminating news, acting as the primary location for submitting information intended for publication in Jeffrey Wilson's Colored Notes Section of the local newspaper.
Dr. Bass achieved a distinctive honor by becoming the second African American to pass the Virginia Pharmaceutical Board which lead to him being the 1st black pharmacist in Portsmouth. His legacy endures, as evidenced by his family home, still standing at 613 London Street today. This historical residence serves as a tangible connection to the life and contributions of Dr. Bass in the rich tapestry of Portsmouth's heritage.
