Lobster Bake - Lobster Bake History

The Lobster Bake started as far back as 1934 (then called a Clam Bake) where it was held at the Pannaway Club (now the site of Portsmouth Elks) and was combined with a inter-city Rotary meeting.  The meetings were followed by baseball and horse shoes.

In 1940 the Clam Bake was moved to Portsmouth Country Club and followed by golf.  In 1942 and 1943 the Clam Bake was omitted due to gasoline rationing during the war.

In 1949 the Clam Bake was moved to the Wentworth-by-the-Sea, owned by Rotarian Jim Smith and his wife Margaret.

Then, in 1957, it was moved to the Dead Duck Inn in Eliot Maine.  Following the erection of the high-rise bridge over the Piscataqua River, the Club decided it was time to move. 

So, again it was moved back to the Wentworth-by-the-Sea in 1968 where it remained for many years.

When the Wentworth-by-the-Sea closed in the early 1980's, the Lobster Bake was held at Past President Jim Labrie's home in Rye.  Many Rotarians worked all day to pickup (and then bring back) picnic tables from around town to bring and setup at the event.

Then when Jim Labrie's home started to be renovated in 1989, the Bake was moved to Axel Johnson Conference Center in Newington.  At that point, the Propeller Club  stepped in and, for many years, prepared the Lobster Bake for us. 

In 1994, Richard Jennings and Past President Mark Kelliher decided to make the event a "member appreciaton day" and the event was subsidised by Club Dues - either partially or in full.

The Lobster Bake was reinvented in 2006.  Past President Jerry Glynn split the event into two events: a full price Lobster Bake provide by the Portsmouth Elks and a low price Member Appreciation event including a cookout, open bar and entertainment.