Portsmouth: One of History's Great Peace Negotiations

​Ongoing research reveals how the State of New Hampshire, people of Portsmouth and US Navy acted as hosts to the Russian and Japanese delegations in 1905. While President Theodore Roosevelt did not come to Portsmouth, citizen diplomacy played an important role in multi-track efforts that resulted in the Portsmouth Peace Treaty.  

THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S
1906 Nobel Peace Prize

​TR in 1906 won the Prize as President for negotiating the peace between Russia and Japan that produced the Treaty in 1905. For more on Roosevelt's diplomacy, and on the annual commemoration of the  anniversary of his Nobel Peace Prize, click here and click here to read the acceptance delivered on his behalf December 10, 1906; and here for the lecture he delivered in Norway himself in 1910.

Portsmouth Peace
Treaty Bells​

​The tradition of commemorating the day of the Treaty signing with bell-ringing began in 1906 when the city celebrated the dedication of a plaque on Building 86 at the Shipyard (above, the site of the formal negotiations), with church bells ringing for a half hour at morning, noon and night.

Gift of Cherry Trees from Japan to the US in thanks

The iconic Washington DC cherry trees were a gift from Japan to the US because of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty. In 2012, the Japan America Society of New Hampshire began planting descendants of those trees gifted by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, at key sites related to the Treaty history, as a living memorial to the Portsmouth Peace Treaty and citizen diplomacy.  Read more...

Portsmouth's Sister City: Nichinan, Japan​

Nichinan, birthplace of Baron Jutaro Komura, lead diplomat for the Japanese delegation in Portsmouth, established a Sister Cities International agreement in 1985. The cherry trees at Portsmouth City Hall were a gift from Nichinan. Exchange trips between Portsmouth High School and Sister School -- Nichinan Gakuen Jr-Sr High School-- began soon after.

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day Commemorated September 5th

Each year, an official proclamation by the NH Governor "calls on the citizens of New Hampshire to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities commemorating this important piece of New Hampshire history."

The Japan-America Society is the 501c3 nonprofit that supports the efforts of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum.
​To join, click here.

Treaty Exhibit:
​"An Uncommon Commitment to Peace"​

The Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail​

The companion exhibit catalogue includes the newly-documented timeline of events during the 30 days the negotiators were in Portsmouth. It also contains images by noted photographer Richard Haynes, of the exhibit artifacts from 1905.

The Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum

The Portsmouth Peace Treaty endures in the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum, established in 1994 as an organization committed to exploring diplomatic themes "in the spirit of the Treaty of Portsmouth." 

The Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail -- from venues for formal conference sessions to informal social settings, identified through original newspaper reports, diaries and letters from event participants -- to bring the 30 days in 1905 to life.

history of the War and the Peace​

Portsmouth Peace Treaty resources include: a detailed exhibit with historical artifacts including documents from Russia and Japan; the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail mapping the iconic sites of the Treaty summer; permanent historical markers and this website made possible by The Japan Foundation and recognized by the Library of Congress.

“The cherry trees are famous as the symbol of friendship from Japan, a gesture of people-to-people diplomacy,” said Charles B. Doleac, president of the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire. “The Japan America Society of NH showcases cherry trees that are directly associated with the Treaty and the iconic Washington trees to keep the spirit of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty and its many branches of citizen diplomacy alive.”​