Local History: Before the Music Hall — A Conversation with Dr. Bill Stuart, Proprietor of The Kearsarge House

In the mid 1970s Portsmouth was undergoing a restoration project that laid the groundwork for the historical charm the city is known for today. At that time The Kearsarge House, which now serves as the Music Hall's Members Lounge, was crumbling and the Music Hall, itself, was permanently closed. 

But, in 1976, Dr. Bill Stuart bought the building and led a gut renovation that restored the historic bow front to its original glory. He then opened a jazz and blues club that, for the first time, brought national touring acts to Portsmouth. As local blues musician TJ Wheeler said, "There [has] never before or after been such a club that combined live music of regional and national acts five nights a week."

Join Dr. Bill Stuart and City of Portsmouth Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Monte Bohanan, in a spirited conversation about how The Kearsarge House, under Stuart's leadership, ushered in the era of high-quality restoration and nationally recognized musical acts for which Portsmouth is now famous. 

About the Presenter

Educated at Brown University, Lehigh University, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Bill Stuart has served communities in New England for the past fifty years as both an Emergency Medicine doctor and an expert witness. A man of many talents, he is also an NCAA Division One wrestling champion and a real estate investor. His time owning The Kearsarge House, and his contributions to Portsmouth's architectural and musical history, contain some of his proudest moments. He is honored to share his story of The Kearsarge House with The Portsmouth Library community!

This program will be held on Zoom. Register for the link!