Alien abduction and local history collide in 'Betty & Barney' Exhibition

On the night of Sept. 19, 1961, a Portsmouth couple driving home through New Hampshire’s White Mountains reported something extraordinary: a lit-up craft in the sky, missing time, and an alien abduction. More than six decades later, the story of Betty and Barney Hill continues to captivate believers and skeptics alike.

Now on view at the Portsmouth Historical Society, “Betty & Barney” explores the fascinating and multifaceted lives of the Hills– inviting visitors to look beyond the headlines and into the real people at the center of the phenomenon.

Before they became synonymous with UFO lore, Betty and Barney Hill were a pioneering interracial couple in Portsmouth during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Hills were active members of the Unitarian South Church, the local chapter of the NAACP, and the Seacoast Council on Race and Religion (SCORR). Among the highlights are photographs and personal documents, including Barney Hill's speeches, on loan from the Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire, offering visitors a rare and direct connection to the Hills' lives and legacy. 

The exhibition traces the arc of Betty and Barney Hill's story from their unforgettable encounter in the White Mountains to the pop culture phenomenon it inspired, brought to life through alien memorabilia, film clips, books, and more. In one of the exhibition's most immersive moments, visitors can pick up a rotary phone and listen to excerpts from the Hills' famous hypnosis tapes, hearing Betty and Barney describe their experience in their own words. The exhibition closes with a tribute to the Seacoast community members, including David Watters and Valerie Cunningham, whose dedication ensured the Hills' papers found a permanent home at UNH. 

“We set out to connect a beloved local story to its national significance, and what we found along the way, about race, community, and Portsmouth in the 1960s, moved us deeply. This exhibition is one we are incredibly proud to share,” said Portsmouth Historical Society Executive Director Emma Stratton.

To further explore the exhibition, the Portsmouth Historical Society will offer free Curator Tours on May 1, July 3, and Sept. 4 at noon and 5:30 p.m. These engaging tours provide deeper insight into the Hills’ lives, their legacy, and the cultural impact of their story.

Additional lectures and public programs will be announced later in the year.

“Betty & Barney” is on view now until Nov. 2 at the Portsmouth Historical Society. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery of extraterrestrial counters or the powerful human story at its core, this exhibition offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.

About the Portsmouth Historical Society

The Portsmouth Historical Society’s museums and programs connect the community to our past, present and future through collections, interpretation, education and preservation. It operates two facilities: the Museum Galleries and the John Paul Jones House and Museum, a National Historic Landmark. The Portsmouth Historical Society serves as a cultural hub for Portsmouth, providing visitors and the community with rotating exhibitions, dynamic programming, historic walking tours, and a museum shop of unique Portsmouth gifts and books. Located at 10 Middle Street, the building is open daily from 10am-5pm, from April through December. For further information, please call 603-436-8433 or visit PortsmouthHistory.org.