The Strawberry Banke Museum started when the Portsmouth citizens attempted to save their history. When modern buildings began to replace dilapidated homes and other old structures in Portsmouth, concerned city librarian Dorothy Vaughn made gave triggered an impactful realization. The city is losing its history every time an old house or an antique piece gets destroyed.
Even though urbanization proved to be inevitable for some areas like Puddle Dock, parts of it were saved as a museum. The museum was named after the earliest settlement in Portsmouth. Now, buildings that have that have existed 40 years ago are displayed as part of the city’s history. Each of the buildings represents a particular lifestyle during the old times as archaeological enhancements are done by the staff on the grounds of the museum.