The John Paul Jones House is now the headquarters and museum of the Portsmouth Historical Society. The building dates from 1758 and is a textbook example of Georgian domestic architecture: symmetrical facade, central chimney, and the careful proportions that characterised prosperous colonial homes. The interiors contain period furniture, portraits, silver, and documents relating to both Portsmouth history and the naval career of its most famous tenant.
The museum is smaller than the Strawbery Banke complex but more focused. It works well for anyone specifically interested in early American naval history or in the extraordinary career of Jones himself. The Portsmouth Historical Society also maintains Discover Portsmouth, a heritage centre nearby that provides context for the city's colonial past.