• Independence Day
• July 4, 2009
• 10am - 4pm
• Ladd-Gilman House
• Regular tour fees apply

Visit us on Independence Day as we mark our nation's 233rd birthday! Take a tour, enjoy some cake and lemonade. Children's craft and take-home activities available at no extra charge. And don't forget to join us on July 18th for our 19th American Independence Festival--visit our Festival page for details.

• Junior Roleplayer Program
• Orientation & costuming on July 8; July 13 - 16 &
• 10 a.m. - 3p.m. plus festival 7/18
• Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern
• Children ages 10+
• $310 members, $350 non-members

Love history? Like to act, read and research? Through our new Junior Roleplaying Program you'll learn about history as you develop a character who lived in Exeter during the American Revolution. Price includes 30 hours of instruction, proper costume outfitting, snacks, and a performance during the American Independence Festival on July 18. Reservations necessary.

• Muster Day!
• Saturday, July 11, 2009
• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Folsom Tavern
• Ages 7 - 11
• $40 members, $50 non-members

We Want You! General George Washington is coming to Exeter for the American Independence Festival and trained troops are needed to escort him. Prepare for his visit by participating in Muster Day! Learn what was it was like to be a soldier during the Revolutionary War at our new one-day camp, practice military muster techniques, set up a tent, and sign an Oath of Allegiance to the Patriot cause with a quill pen! Muster Day graduates are invited to escort General George Washington during the American Independence Festival on July 18th. Sponsored by Ocean Bank.

• American Independence Festival
• Saturday, July 18
• 10 am - 5 pm
• American Independence Museum, downtown Exeter, Swasey Parkway
• $5 for events on museum grounds

On July 16, 1776, twenty-two year old John Taylor Gilman read the Declaration of Independence to the townspeople of Exeter. Help us celebrate America's freedom with our popular festival! Join the crowd escorting George Washington down Water Street, listen to the public reading of the Declaration (complete with hecklers!)chat with historic role-players, step to the stirring music of the Lincoln Fife and Drum and delight in the maneuvers and cannon firings of militias. Visit the traditional New Hampshire artisans village, view our original Dunlap Broadside and early drafts of the U.S. Constitution and stroll Water Street to see local arts and crafts. Enjoy plenty of food, music, sidewalk sales and children's activities, then stay for the town's evening fireworks and live band! Sponsored in part by Ocean Bank.

• History Mysteries Camp
• August 3 - 7, 2009
• 9 am - 3 pm
• Children ages 10-13
• $275 members, $300 non-members

How do historians know what life was like in the past? Camp participants will use maps, architecture, archaeology, documents, objects, art and stories to investigate and research daily life during the Revolutionary War. Try your hand at 19th century games, crafts and recipes too! Snacks included. Reservations necessary. Sponsored by Ocean Bank.

• Purple Heart Day
• Friday, August 7, 2009
• 10am - 4pm; last tour offered at 3pm
• The Ladd-Gilman House and the Folsom Tavern
• Free admission for all military veterans and active duty personnel

General George Washington issued an order on August 7, 1782, allowing those soldiers who proved themselves in honor to sew a "purple heart" onto their uniform. Official records show that only three Purple Hearts were issued by Washington. On exhibit will be a Purple Heart found in Deerfield, NH and donated to the American Independence Museum by Society of the Cincinnati member William L. Willey. Also on display will be a World War II Purple Heart which was awarded to J. Phillip Webber and donated to AIM.

• Seventh Annual Constitution Forum
• Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009
• 7pm
• Folsom Tavern Assembly Hall
• For students and adults
• Free admission

On September 17, 1787, thirty-nine brave men changed the course of history by signing our U.S. Constitution. Join us for our annual lecture annual focusing on current issues related to the U.S. Constitution. Educators: Professional Development Hour certificates will be available as well as student attendance certificates for extra credit!

• Educator Evening
• Wednesday, October 7, 2009
• Ladd-Gilman House
• For area educators and homeschooling parents
• Free

Earn professional credit hours while learning about the Education Programs available to area schools and students. Take a tour of the museum, enter to win a gift basket of items to use in your classroom, and receive a discount on purchases from our Museum Shop.

• NEW! Remember the Ladies!
• Wednesdays, October 14, 21, & 28, 2009
• 7 p.m.
• Folsom Tavern
• For adults & students
• Free admission, donations accepted

"Remember the Ladies". Abigail Adams wrote these words to her husband John in 1776 when he and other colonial leaders were writing the Declaration of Independence. We will "remember the ladies" with this new role player series by introducing you to Abigail, and to Deborah Sampson (who disguised herself as a man to fight with the Continental Army), and in the last presentation, we'll learn how to dress as a colonial lady. Just what is a stomacher anyway?! October 14: Abigail Adams, portrayed by Julia Donahue, brings this strong woman to life October 21: Adam and Mary Spencer present "Mistress Mary" who reveals the mysteries of a colonial woman's wardrobe by donning her outfit one piece at a time. October 28: Scholar Joan Gatturna dresses in costume and shares the story of Deborah Sampson, a young woman from Massachusetts who spent 17 months in the Continental Army. Sponsored by the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

• Autumn Field Trip
• Saturday, October 17, 2009
• Leave Exeter at 8:30 a.m.; return by 4:30 p.m.
• $50 members, $65 non-members

Enjoy New Hampshire's autumn splendor as we travel to Cornish to visit the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a master sculptor known for the Shaw Memorial in Boston and Standing Lincoln in Chicago, made Cornish his home and co-founded an art colony there which attracted Maxfield Parrish. Barbara Rimkunas, curator of the Exeter Historical Society, will share background information during on the ride over to Cornish. We'll tour the house and gardens, visit the artist-in-residence sculptor's studio and enjoy lunch on the grounds. Reservations are required by October 2 in order to make necessary arrangements.

• Closing Day
• Friday, November 6, 2009
• 10am - 4pm; last tour offered at 3pm
• Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern
• $5 adults, $3 students, members free

Thank you for another wonderful season!

• Breakfast with George Washington
• Saturday, November 7, 2009
• Seatings at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.; sessions last approximately 90 minutes with tour
• Folsom Tavern
• For families
• $10 adults, $8 children ages 4+; under 4 free (members receive $2 pp discount)

President George Washington visited the Folsom Tavern on November 4, 1789 and he'll return to join us for a very special breakfast. Admission price includes food, children's craft, and a child-friendly tour on the hour of the American Independence Museum, offered on the hour. Reservations necessary. Space is limited so reserve early!

• Veteran's Day Observance
• Wednesday, November 11, 2009
• 11 a.m.
• Ladd Gilman House
• Free admission for all

Join us for a special tour focusing on the achievements of some of New Hampshire's Revolutionary War soldiers and as we reflect on the sacrifices made by all of America's veterans.

• The Last Muster: an afternoon with The Photo Detective
• Saturday, November 14, 2009
• 1pm - 3pm
• Folsom Tavern Assembly Room
• To be determined

Maureen Taylor, "The Photo Detective", author, photo curator, genealogist and photo identification expert/preservation expert, will present "The Last Muster: Photographs and Stories from the American Revolution". Many individuals who participated in the American Revolution lived beyond the advent of photography in 1839. Learn about Maureen's detective work and techniques during this intriguing event. Taylor's books will be available for sale and signing. Personal consultations may be arranged with Maureen following the one-hour presentation at a rate of $25 per fifteen minutes.

• NEW! A Victorian Child's Christmas
• Saturday, December 5; December 12, 2009
• 10 or 11 am, 1 or 2 pm; each session last approximately 2 hours
• Ages 7 - 11; paying adult must accompany child
• $20 per person; reservations necessary

Celebrate the holiday season with your favorite doll! Join Samantha Parkington of the American Girl book series, along with Mrs. Francis Gilman and her nieces as they open their home in celebration of the season. Learn about the many Victorian Christmas traditions, help decorate, and make a Victorian craft that will bring the holiday spirit into your home. Enjoy light refreshments from the period. This holiday event is very popular so reserve early!