Recently, our own Mike Welch provided some tips and analysis on all things related to re-enacting in our Lunch and Learn Series, which is presented by People’s United Bank, who share in our commitment to educating the community and providing enrichment opportunities for all. Thanks to EXTV for filming and sharing this lecture.
RiverWoods Exeter, a nationally-accredited charitable non-profit continuing care retirement community, recently renewed its partnership with the American Independence Museum (AIM) with a $1,000 financial contribution.
According to Ben French, Marketing Manager at RiverWoods Exeter, the partnership with AIM is “much more than a financial obligation.”
“It’s actually a very active partnership that engages our residents and staff to get involved in the greater Exeter community,” he said. “Like RiverWoods Exeter, the American Independence Museum embraces history in a way that makes it both current and sustainable.”
For French, though, the partnership is as much about the future as it is a celebration of history.
“What makes us stand out from the pack is the fact that we both as nonprofits are always looking to the future, leading the way, and expanding people’s perceptions beyond those of your typical retirement communities and museums,” he said.
Noting AIM staff are already working with RiverWoods Exeter to bring one of their Traveling Trunks and other programs to residents for an educational experience, Executive Director Emma Bray said they are exploring others ways to work with one another.
“We see a great deal of potential to enhance the lives of their residents through meaningful volunteer opportunities,” she said. “This is the proverbial win-win for both of us.”
As a partner with AIM in 2017, RiverWoods Exeter will also be involved in the upcoming American Independence Festival on July 15. At the Festival, they will team with Seacoast Family Promise (SFP), their charitable partner leading up to the 2018 RiverWoods Exeter Gala, to provide a unique experience for visitors of all ages at their space on Swasey Parkway.
“We are honored to work with them again in 2017 and welcome them to our Festival,” Bray added. “By working together as active partners, we can both benefit and better achieve our respective missions.”
To learn more about RiverWoods Exeter, visit www.riverwoodsrc.org.
With 7 locations across New Hampshire, including Exeter, Foy Insurance has invested $1,000 to support programming and artifact preservation activities at the American Independence Museum.
Jeff Foy (l) with Emma Bray
For Jeff Foy of Foy Insurance, his longstanding support of the museum reflects a lifelong love of history that dates back to childhood.
“I still read mostly non-fiction to this day because of my interest in history and particularly in American history,” he said. “I guess I look at history as part of who I am and thus I like to learn about it.”
Foy Insurance Group is a family-owned, independent insurance agency based in Exeter, NH with 10 branch offices in New Hampshire, Maine & Massachusetts. Foy Insurance and its predecessor insurance agency entities were founded in Exeter in 1893.
Citing Foy Insurance’s longstanding role in the community, Emma Bray, executive director at the museum, said Exeter is a unique place in which to explore “our nation’s past.”
“The artifacts in our museum represent just one facet to the unique colonial history of Exeter,” she said. “Foy Insurance has been part of this community for nearly 125 years—I am very thankful we can work together to celebrate and share this town’s history with others.”
Foy is equally enthused about the partnership and referred to the museum as akin to a hidden gem whose wisdom and secrets are meant to be shared.
“The resources at the museum are exceptional and one of a kind,” he said. “I enjoy the activities that it hosts and the people that attend.”
Foy said it was important to support the American Independence Museum, which was founded in Exeter in 1991. “Foy Insurance has been part of the Exeter community for many years and hopes to continue to be part of the community for many more years to come,” he said.
To learn more about Foy Insurance, visit www.foyinsurance.com. To learn more about the museum, or to inquire about its Business Partner program, visit www.independencemuseum.org.
With a strong lineup of school and summer camp programs for 2017, the American Independence Museum will soon offer its first program for pre-school age children, Revolutionary Story Time.
The program will take place from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Museum’s historic Folsom Tavern beginning on Thursday, May 4. The program will continue on the first Thursday of each month in June, September, October and November on the dates of June 1, September 7, October 5, and November 2, respectively.
Events Manager Victoria Su said the museum is excited to invite “our youngest citizens” for this educational program.
“We will be sharing age appropriate books, music, and crafts about the founding of our Nation as a way to foster a love of reading, history, and civic engagement in our next generation,” she said. “Colonial Re-enactor and musician Mike Welch will lead the groups and bring some music to the program, too—it will be a lot of fun.”
The Museum opens for the 2017 season on Tuesday, May 2 and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm through December 1.
Reservations are required for this program and donations are encouraged. All proceeds will benefit the museum. For more information, or to register for Revolutionary Story Time, email [email protected]. Due to the historic nature of the tavern, strollers are not allowed.
Opening on May 2 followed by an Opening Celebration on Saturday, May 6 with free admission for NH residents, the American Independence Museum in Exeter, NH has been hard at work developing a host of new exhibits for 2017.
One new exhibit, entitled “Propaganda,” will take visitors on a journey from Colonial times to the present day. Its purpose will be to illustrate the widespread use of propaganda across multiple sectors of society from as far back as the 1770’s, although its roots may be traced to the ancient world.
“The exhibit will show the evolution of propaganda until the present day—there are a lot of similarities between Colonial American and today,” said Rachel Passannante, collections and visitor services manager. “We are very excited about it.”
Presented by Optima Bank & Trust, another new exhibit will highlight 10 key items in the Museum’s collection that have not previously been viewable by the public given concerns related to their preservation. The new exhibit is made possible by a grant from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, which awarded the Museum $6,000 to purchase two sealed microclimate cases.
“This exhibit will include handwritten letters by George Washington and a bookplate that was in his possession,” added Passannante. “These are among some of the most prized items in our collection.”
According to Executive Director Emma Bray, the new exhibits underscore the Museum’s emphasis on relevancy in 2017.
“Learning history can be engaging and fun—these are not mutually exclusive goals,” she said.
Held in conjunction with Exeter Kids’ Fest, the Museum’s Opening Celebration will feature Colonial re-enactors and period appropriate lawn games, weather permitting.
“It’s going to be a great chance to see what’s happening here this year,” Bray added. “Even if you have been here before, there are a lot of changes we hope will excite you.”
Founded in 1991, the American Independence Museum is located in Exeter, which served as New Hampshire’s capital during the Revolutionary War. Home to a world-class collection, including an extremely rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Museum welcomes more than 5,500 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.
The Museum opens for the 2017 season on Tuesday, May 2 and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm through December 1.
Making history relevant and fun, last year’s summer programs for kids proved quite popular at the American Independence Museum in Exeter, which has staff excited now that registration for this year’s programs is open.
The Museum’s summer programs include Colonial Living History, in which children, ages 8 to 11, will assume the role of real 18th century Exeter residents. The Muster Day Program will engage children (ages 8 to 11) with history for one day and provide them with the opportunity to set up colonial tents and camps as well as learn to muster with a real “Militiaman.”
New to last year’s summer offerings, the Junior Historian Program will provide older children (ages 10 to 13) with the opportunity to visit local museums and galleries in addition to participation in hands-on demonstrations in archaeology, collections management and genealogy.
“There are more ways to learn about history than just from a textbook,” said Education Manager Abigail Pietrantonio. “We want to teach children about how they can analyze things like objects, documents, buildings and more to learn about not only the distant past, but perhaps their own history as well.”
The summer programs complement the recently launched Traveling Trunk program in which the Museum can be brought directly into the classroom. Based around several possible lesson plans for teachers to use, the program is funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Complete with replica period clothing, toys, historical artifacts, and more, each of the Museum’s two trunks will feature more than 70 items.
“Through our various programs, children can find the ways in which history speaks best to them—whether through dressing in 18th century clothing to learning about their own genealogy,” said Pietrantonio. “We want to engage visitors of all ages and make learning fun…There truly is something for everyone here.”
Registration for all three programs is now open. Space is limited. To learn more or register, click here https://www.independencemuseum.org/AIMstaging/educate/summer-camp/.