Portsmouth Council approves plans for Dinah Chase Whipple headstone installation and ceremony

Portsmouth City Council on April 21 formally authorized the city manager to carry out plans for a headstone installation and ceremony marking the gravesite of Dinah Chase Whipple, a formerly enslaved woman who later founded a school in Portsmouth and is recognized in local Black history.

City staff said descendants of Dinah Chase Whipple have worked with the Cemetery Committee, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, and the city to locate and fund a new marker next to her husband’s grave in North Cemetery. The city accepted donations, including support from the Colonial Dames, and the council voted to refer the event logistics and authority to the city manager. City staff announced the ceremony date as Friday, June 13, 2025 at 1 p.m.

Speakers and significance

City Manager Kennard outlined that descendants and local historians (Valerie Cunningham of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is cited in staff materials) supported the request; the Cemetery Committee reviewed and supported the installation. The manager noted the family and community partners would participate in speaking roles during the ceremony. Councilors approved the referral by voice vote.

What the council action authorizes

The referral authorizes the city manager to finalize logistics, accept donations for the marker, coordinate with the Cemetery Committee and community groups, and proceed with the planned installation on the stated date. The action does not change cemetery policy beyond accepting the donated marker and coordinating the ceremony.