Pontine Theatre Welcomes Seacoast Historian for TREASURE FROM THE ISLES OF SHOALS Today

Today, April 22, at 5:30pm, Pontine Theatre presents Seacoast historian, J. Dennis Robinson's Treasure from the Isles ofShoals: How New Archaeology is Changing Old History. The presentation is open to the public free of charge, thanks to funding from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

Light refreshments will be available and reservations are not needed. Pontine's West End Studio Theatre is located at 959 Islington Street in Portsmouth. The building is not visible from the street; look for the big 959 at the head of the drive.

There is treasure here but not the pirate kind. Scientific "digs" on Smuttynose Island are changing New England History. Archaeologist Nathan Hamilton has unearthed 300,000 artifacts to date on this largely uninhabited rock at the Isles ofShoals. Evidence proves prehistoric Native Americans hunted New Hampshire's only offshore Islands 6,000 years ago. Hundreds of European fishermen split, salted, and dried valuable Atlantic cod here from the 1620's. "King Haley" ruled a survivalist kingdom here before Thomas Laighton struck tourist gold when his family took over the region's first hotel on Smuttynose. Laighton's dauther Celia Thaxter spun poetic tales of ghosts and pirates. J. Dennis Robinson, a longtime Smuttynose stweard, explores the truth behind the romantic legends of Gosport Harbor in this colorful show-and-tell presentation.

J. Dennis Robinson has published over 1,000 articles on New Hampshire history and culture. His books for young readers include biographies of Jesse James and Lord Baltimore. His hardcover histories of Strawbery Banke Museum and historic Wentworth by the Sea Hotel both received honors from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). His two new books on privateering and the War of 1812 will appear in 2011. Robinson is also editor ofSeacoastNH.com, a Web site about NH history and culture that attracts thousands of visitors daily. His lectures are designed to make history both entertaining and accessible to all audiences.

May 1 through 11, Pontine presents its original production, Isles of Shoals: The Eternal Sound of the Sea. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 4, and Sundays at 2. Tickets are $24 and may be purchased online at www.pontine.org.

Now celebrating its 36th Season, the company was named "Best Historical Theater" by NH Magazine in July 2013: "Pontine conspires to fascinate the contemporary mind with original works based upon stories and literature of New England. There's really nothing else like it anywhere."

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