Private Events
Private Events Venue Portsmouth, NH
When the occasion calls for elegance, warmth, and a touch of wonder, The Hawthorn rises to meet the moment. Whether you’re toasting a milestone anniversary, gathering generations for a baby or bridal shower, or honoring a life well lived, our historic event space offers an elegant backdrop for every chapter. With its soaring peaked ceiling, original wood beams, and a certain old-world soul you can’t quite replicate, The Hawthorn transforms each gathering into something unforgettable. Intimate or grand, if you’re seeking a space with grace, heart, and just the right amount of grandeur, you’ve arrived.
A Historic Private Event Venue Made For Gatherings
Long before The Hawthorn opened its doors to laughter, toasts, and candlelit dinners, it stood as part of the legendary Frank Jones Brewery—once one of the largest ale producers in the country. In the late 1800s, this industrious complex was the beating heart of Portsmouth’s economy, stretching across more than 10 acres and employing hundreds. Our building, known then as the Scald House, played a unique role: it was here that scalding hot rocks were used to sterilize oak barrels—a brutal task that kept the brewery’s ale pure and its reputation strong. Today, the heat and steam have been replaced by warmth of another kind. The Scald House has been reimagined as The Hawthorn, a space that honors its past while welcoming a new era of gathering. The original architecture remains and the brick walls whisper stories of grit, craftsmanship, and community. Where workers once prepared barrels for ale bound across the country, we now host milestone moments such as weddings, birthdays, Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s, and celebrations of life—memories no less significant, and every bit as enduring.
A Sophisticated Venue for Private Events
Add a little Portsmouth history to your next corporate or social celebration by hosting your colleagues or guests in our 1884 building. The space can be configured for board meetings, luncheons, lectures, networking events, award ceremonies, galas, bah mitzvahs, and more, and guests will enjoy The Hawthorn’s proximity to the best of downtown Portsmouth.
Let’s craft the perfect Private event together
Planning a Portsmouth wedding, corporate event or social gathering? Our event experts are at the ready. The Hawthorn will open its doors to events in June 2025. While we’re currently undergoing extensive renovations to convert this magnificent building into an event venue, we are now hosting tours and booking events for the Summer 2025 season and beyond.
