emma - American Independence Museum

September 27, 2018June 9, 2021

Earth Eagle Brewings at Next Beer for History

On Thursday, October 4, Earth Eagle Brewings of Portsmouth will pour its craft beer at the next Beer for History, which features a different brewer every other week at four different events through November 1.

Sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, Beer for History takes place in Folsom Tavern (c.1775), an historic tavern in downtown Exeter that once served George Washington.

In addition to craft beer, Beer for History features music, light snacks and some form of historic entertainment, which may include colonial tavern games, colonial trivia, and/or escape room.

Proceeds from Beer for History benefit the American Independence Museum, which is home to Folsom Tavern and the Ladd-Gilman House (c.1721).

In an effort to spread community awareness of Beer for History and provide the public with a “taste” of the series, the museum will participate in a special history trivia night at Shooter’s Pub in Exeter on Thursday, September 27 at 7:30 pm.

Admission for Beer for History events, which take place form 6 to 8 pm, is $15 for members and $20 for non members. Ticket prices include beer (21+), entertainment, colonial tavern games, light snacks and more.

Throwback Brewery and von Trapp Brewing are the featured brewers for October 18 and November 1, respectively. Lexie’s Burger Bus will be present at every Beer for History except for 10/4.

September 27, 2018June 9, 2021

The American Precedents: An Evening Lecture at American Independence Museum

At the next evening lecture at the American Independence Museum, Saint Anselm College students Sarah Hummel (2019) and Matthew Solomon (2020) will discuss an exhibit they designed at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics.

The exhibit, entitled “The American Precedents” provides insight into five precedents established by George Washington. Using archival material, they investigated how five precedents – the Inauguration, non-partisanship, reluctance in foreign relations, establishment of a Cabinet or series of advisers, and President’s role in the economy – have withstood the test of time.

In their lecture, they will discuss these precedents and the extent to which they were followed in the Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations.

Presented by People’s United Bank, the evening Tavern Talk and afternoon Lunch & Learn series provides insight and analysis on subjects that touch on, yet extend far beyond, the Revolutionary War.

“This series reflects our 2018 theme of global perspective on the Revolutionary War, which helps demonstrate how colonial history is incredibly relevant to events today,” said museum Executive Director Emma Bray. “This latest lecture is fascinating and also connects our mission with research by emerging scholars.”

In addition to People’s United Bank, Tavern Talks are additionally supported by a Humanities-To-Go grant from the NH Humanities Council. Programs are free and open to the public.

“The American Precedents” takes place at 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 27 at Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street, Exeter.

Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum welcomes more than 6,000 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with educational school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.

September 24, 2018June 9, 2021

Museum Set to Toast History with a Beer with a Special Promotion

After months of planning and preparation, the American Independence Museum is set to “tap” its first Beer for History event on Thursday, September 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To celebrate this year’s 4-event series, which is presented by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, the museum is offering the chance to win 2 tickets to the Exeter Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival for anyone who purchases a series ticket on or before September 20.

Series tickets are $50 for members and $70 for non-members, while children (under 21) are $3. Tickets for individual events are $15 for members and $20 for non members. Ticket prices include beer (21+), entertainment, light snacks and more.

Each Beer for History event features a different brewer. Neighborhood Beer Co. kicks off the series on September 20 followed by Earth Eagle Brewings, Throwback Brewery and von Trapp Brewing on October 4, October 18 and November 1, respectively.

At each event, brewers will pour tastings of up to three different craft brews. Types of beer expected at the first event include Neighborhood Beer Co.’s Granite Acorn Autumn Lager and Mow Money Lawnmower IPA.

In addition to craft beer, Beer for History features music, light snacks and some form of historic entertainment, which may include colonial tavern games, colonial trivia, and/or escape room write Sambla. Lexie’s Burger Bus will be present at every Beer for History except for 10/4.

September 20, 2018June 9, 2021

Museum Provides Inside Look into Buildings on Property

Through the years, many visitors would ask about the history behind the buildings on the American Independence Museum property, a curiosity that may be satiated at the next Architectural Tour on September 25.

A new offering in 2018, this tour provides visitors with glimpses into spaces at both the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721) and Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) that generally remain inaccessible to the public. The feedback from visitors, according to museum Executive Director Emma Bray, has been positive.

“These tours are engaging and take people behind-the-scenes into places like our attic and collections storage , all of which help tell the story of this museum and Exeter itself,” she said.

The tour will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25 and begin at the Ladd-Gilman House. Due to the historic nature of the buildings, they are not handicap accessible.

Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum welcomes more than 5,000 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with educational school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.

Tickets for the Architectural Tour are $10 for non-members and $5 for members. To purchase a ticket, visit www.independencemuseum.org.

September 20, 2018June 9, 2021

Next Workshop to Take Place in Genealogy Series”

On Saturday, September 22 at 1 pm, the American Independence Museum will host the third of four genealogy workshops designed to provide community members with access to national leaders in family history research.

Made possible through a grant from the William W. Treat Foundation, the Genealogy Workshop Series has been created in partnership with the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), founded in 1845.

At this next workshop, which will be broken into a 3-part lecture, Ann Lawthers, Genealogist, NEHGS will begin by examining the dominant ‘push-pull forces’ for migration. With the aid of maps and other graphics, she will describe major colonial migration routes by region: New England, mid-Atlantic and southward from Virginia.

The second part of the lecture will cover the explosion of migration following the Revolutionary War to about 1850 with a special focus on the role of bounty land. Attendees will also learn about famous migration paths including the National Highway, Zane’s Trace and the Erie Canal.

The final portion of the lecture will focus on westward expansion, including the California, Oregon, and Mormon Trails. Lawthers will especially concentrate on the role of railroads in migration.

According to Victoria Su, public programs & engagement manager at the museum, this workshop and the entire series reflect the museum’s continued focus on community engagement.

“We want to engage the community and educate people in fun and creative ways,” she said. “Thanks to the support of the William W. Treat Foundation, our partnership with the New England Historic Genealogical Society has enabled us to offer very interesting workshops.”

At each workshop at the museum’s Folsom Tavern in Exeter, attendees are encouraged to bring laptops and tablets. Individual workshop fees are $20 for museum/NEHGS members and $30 for ‘not-yet’ members.

“Writing Your Family History: Taking the First Steps,” the last workshop in the series, take place on November 10.

Tickets for either workshop are available for purchase at www.independencemuseum.org.

Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum welcomes more than 5,500 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with educational school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.

September 17, 2018June 9, 2021

American Independence Museum receives grant to enhance infrastructure

While charged with preserving 300 year-old items, staff at the American Independence Museum would prefer to not use a development database that feels nearly as old, which underscores the importance of a recently awarded $2,500 grant.

Madelaine G. von Weber Trust awarded the grant to the museum, which will now be able to store a variety of different data points as well as manage, execute and track communications with stakeholders.

According to museum Executive Director Emma Bray, the grant provides for more than just a place into which staff may input data.

“This grant will enable us to analyze data, interpret it, and make business decisions as a result of it,” she said. “We are so thankful that Madelaine G. von Weber Trust saw the merits of our proposal and made this investment.”

Bray said the grant introduces cloud-based technology to staff, which is an important step in the museum’s continued advancement as a sustainable business entity.

“In order to preserve history, we require first class tools and technology,” she said. “I am very enthusiastic that the outcomes from this grant will help us continue to chart a new course for the museum. We want to be active community members, and this grant gives us the tools we need to ensure we can make better decisions and build better relationships.”

September 10, 2018June 9, 2021

Museum to offer another Architectural Tour

On Tuesday, September 25 at 10:30 a.m., the American Independence Museum in Exeter will host another Architectural Tour for the 2018 season. Offered for the first time in June, this tour provides visitors with glimpses into spaces at both the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721) and Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) that generally remain inaccessible to the public.

“These buildings tell stories that only buildings this old can tell,” said the museum’s Rachel Passannante, who conducted much of the research for the tours. “The feedback from these tours has been very positive, so we are excited to provide another opportunity for folks to join us…We may offer more this season, too.”

The tour will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25 and begin at the Ladd Gilman House. Due to the historic nature of the buildings, they are not handicap accessible.

“Ladd-Gilman House is particularly unique given that it underwent a major renovation in 1752 and we will highlight some of the 1721 features that still exist today,” added Passannante.

Tickets for the Architectural Tour are $10 for non-members and $5 for members.

To purchase a ticket, visit www.independencemuseum.org.

September 6, 2018June 9, 2021

Neighborhood Beer Co. to kick off 2018 Beer for History

Presented by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, the American Independence Museum’s first 2018 Beer for History event takes place on Thursday, September 20 in partnership with Neighborhood Beer Co.

At this event, Neighborhood Beer Co. will pour Granite Acorn Autumn Lager and Mow Money Lawnmower IPA.

A higher-alcohol, super malty version of the harvest Märzen-style Oktoberfest, Granite Acorn Autumn Lager is a smooth, crisp lager that pairs well with meats, cheeses, and autumn dishes. A hop-forward pale ale, Mow Money Lawnmower IPA is hoppy, yet light.

According to Neighborhood Beer Co.’s Salina McIntire, the museum’s Beer for History is one of their favorite events.

“We love coming here and working with the American Independence Museum to put on a fun beer event,” she said. “This is our third year here.”

Emma Bray, museum executive director, said she is excited to have Neighborhood Beer Co. kick off this year’s series, which take place at historic Folsom Tavern (c.1775). Other dates in the series include October 4, October 18 and November 1 with Earth Eagle Brewings, Throwback Brewery and von Trapp Brewing.

“It is wonderful to have Neighborhood kick off our 2018 series,” she said. “We are excited to put on family-friendly beer events.”

Since its inception in 2016, Beer for History has been sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, a fact that Bray added has helped to its continued growth.

“It has been wonderful to have such a dedicated supporter behind this concept and series,” she said. “It enables us to plan and create a fun event that appeals as much to beer lovers as it does to families. All are welcome.”

This year, the series takes place at Folsom Tavern from 6 pm to 8 pm on September 20, October 4, October 18 and November 1 with each date on a Thursday. In addition to craft beer, each event will feature music, light snacks and some form of historic entertainment, which may include colonial tavern games, colonial trivia, and/or escape room. In addition, Lexie’s Burger Bus will be present at every Beer for History except for the event on 10/4.

Tickets for each event are $15 for members and $20 for non members. Series tickets are $50 and $70 for members and nonmembers, respectively, while children (under 21) are $3. Ticket prices include beer (21+), entertainment, light snacks and more.

To purchase tickets, or learn more about Beer for History, visit www.independencemuseum.org.

August 29, 2018June 9, 2021

Beer, stories, talks, workshops and more at American Independence Museum in September

At the American Independence Museum in Exeter, September may be its busiest month with programs for all ages.

Beer for History
Craft beer will take center stage on Thursday, September 20 with Neighborhood Beer Co. at the first of four events in Beer for History, presented by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law. Featuring games, entertainment, light snacks, Lexie’s Burger Bus, and more, each Beer for History takes place at Folsom Tavern, a restored historic tavern built in 1775 that once welcomed George Washington for “a collation.”

Revolutionary Story Time!
Presented by Exeter Hospital, the next Revolutionary Story Time! takes place on Thursday, September 6. Designed for children, ages 3 to 5, the program is free and encourages families “to stay and play” afterwards in the tavern and on museum grounds, which is comprised of one landscaped, grassy acre.

Tavern Talk
On Thursday, September 27, the museum will host “The American Precedents: Examining George Washington’s Precedents in the Modern Presidency,” presented by People’s United Bank. At this evening talk, Saint Anselm College students Sarah Hummel (2019) and Matthew Solomon (2020) will discuss the exhibit they designed at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, entitled “The American Precedents.”

Genealogy Workshop
Held in partnership with New England Historic Genealogical Society and sponsored by the William W. Treat Foundation, the third genealogy workshop series takes place on Saturday, September 22. In this workshop, “Migration Patterns in America,” attendees will learn about the dominant “push-pull” forces for migration, major colonial migration routes and more. The role of the railroads in migration will receive special attention.

About the American Independence Museum
Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum welcomes more than 5,000 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with educational school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.

August 29, 2018

Museum reveals some of the stories behind its collection

Active military and veterans are among some of the most ardent supporters of the American Independence Museum, which features in its collection numerous items of particular interest to them.

Among these items, Curator Rachel Passannante said their military commissions tend to elicit the strongest responses.

“These commissions are essentially contracts men signed to enlist in a local army,” she said. “They are interesting artifacts and bring the Revolutionary War to life in a sense.”

While one commission on display features a name that is no longer legible, the other two provide a clear snapshot into the lives of two 18th men, Darius Willey of NH and William Lithgow, Esq. of Massachusetts.

Willey was mustered into the standard colony-run militia regiment while Lithgow entered into the Continental Army, the latter of which Passannante said was a much more prestigious group.

“The Continental Army was the first army formed by the Continental Congress,” she said. “It included men from all the colonies.”

Another interesting anecdote is the fact both men were members of Society of the Cincinnati, which was founded after the Revolutionary War by men who fought in it. As one of the nation’s oldest veteran’s organization,, the New Hampshire constituent society was founded at the museum’s Folsom Tavern in 1783.

“The Society owns a portion of our collection and the buildings on the property, so the story behind these commissions continues in a sense to this day,” said museum Executive Director Emma Bray.

In 2018, Bray said these commissions and others on display in its 3,000+ item collection may be viewed by veterans, active military and their families without an admission fee, courtesy of Chinburg Properties.

“The story of our nation’s military begins to a very real extent right here in this region of New England,” she said. “We are very grateful at the chance to invite those who continue to fight for our freedom to witness items in our collection that tell the story of the men and women who initially forged that freedom.”

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Author: emma