The 1½ acre campus of the American Independence Museum is prominently located in the picturesque downtown center of Exeter. Signage and markers highlight the historic significance of the 18th-century Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern and the people who worked and lived here, highlighting Exeter’s critical role as the Revolutionary capital of New Hampshire. The gunpowder seized in the raid on Fort William and Mary was stored in Exeter before being used at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The first reading of the Declaration of Independence in the state was in the Exeter town square. The first state constitution in America was drafted in Exeter. The Museum seeks to sustain that heritage, and to link it to the ongoing work of American independence.

The steps of Governors Lane rise from Water Street on one end and Spring Street on the other, inviting all  to visit our historic campus. These steps also provide the opportunity to make your mark for future generations and show your support for the work of the American Independence Museum.