Portsmouth may have missed out on making the shortlist for the UK City of Culture, but there’s also good news: from this Monday the city will be celebrating 100 years of history. Veteran journalist Peter Gruner reports.
A new exhibition, Portsmouth 100: Your Museum. Your Stories. Your City, is set to open for free to the public from Monday October 26th at the Museum and Art Gallery. Portsmouth 100 is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Portsmouth is celebrating its centenary year in 2026, marking 100 years since it was officially granted city status by King George V.
The centenary is a celebration of the city’s rich heritage, thriving culture and vibrant community. From interactive exhibitions to lively festivals, Portsmouth 100 promises family-friendly activities, making it the perfect destination for parents and children alike. Spanning three galleries and 20 themed sections, the exhibition explores everything from football and music to transport, art, theatres and the Dockyard, bringing together familiar landmarks, local stories and some surprising discoveries.
At the heart of the exhibition, which is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily, are the stories of local people. Communities, organisations and history groups from across Portsmouth have helped shape the displays, sharing their memories, photographs and knowledge of the city. Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘Portsmouth 100 is about celebrating our city, its people and the stories that have shaped it over the past century, and this exhibition really brings those stories to life.
‘We’re incredibly grateful to Sir Christopher Le Brun for gifting such a significant work of art to the city. It is a very special way to mark Portsmouth’s centenary and something that people will be able to enjoy for years to come.’
Sir Christopher Le Brun is one of Britain’s leading painters. He said of the exhibition, ‘I’m immensely touched and honoured to have a gallery named after me. Portsmouth and the Solent seen from the top of Portsdown Hill reveals one of the greatest natural settings in the world, with its ideal harbour and momentous history. Growing up in these surroundings has deeply affected me as an artist. The sea is everywhere, and its sense of limitless possibility has guided my work ever since.’
Portsmouth 100: Your museum. Your stories. Your city. opens at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery on 26 October and is free to visit.
Image ‘Brutalist Multi-function Centre in Portsmouth’ is reproduced under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
