PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Historical Society paid tribute to the town’s “founding mothers” on the occasion of Anne Hutchinson’s 426th birthday Sunday.

Society President Jim Garman gave a brief talk on Hutchinson’s life and times in Portsmouth, followed by Society member and local historian Gloria Schmidt’s talk about the lives of several other women who accompanied her.

Noting that these women played a significant — but largely unsung — part in the early history of Portsmouth, Ms. Schmidt asked the audience to read the names of these “Founding Mothers” aloud to honor their contribution to the town.

The presentations were held outdoors in front of the Society’s “Old Town Hall” building and were followed by the sharing of a birthday cake in honor of Hutchinson’s birthday inside the Society’s museum.

About 40 people attended the event, including a contingent of out-of-town guests who were researching their Tripp family relatives.

Upcoming events

The Portsmouth Historical Society will host artists from the Portsmouth Arts Guild from 2-4 p.m. at the Society museum at 870 East Main Road on Sunday, Aug. 6.

Local historian Fred Zilian will lecture on "Life on Aquidneck Island during the Revolutionary War" at the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Road, from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Details of these and other events are available at www.portsmouthhistorical.org.