In mid-December, the American Independence Museum (AIM) received a $6,500 grant from Eventide Foundation, which will enhance accessibility at the nonprofit institution in 2024 and beyond.
“Currently, our campus does not have any outside seating or places where visitors can comfortably gather, which impacts older adults in particular,” explained Jennifer Carr, AIM Executive Director. “This grant from Eventide will help us address this critical need.”
In addition to outside benches and portable tables, the grant will help cover most of the cost to place a portable bathroom on the AIM campus for the 2024 season. Currently, AIM’s Folsom Tavern does not have an accessible bathroom, which presents a significant accessibility barrier for many visitors.
“A portable, handicapped-accessible bathroom outside Folsom Tavern will not only enhance accessibility but also unlock immediate opportunities to revamp our programs and facility rentals,” Carr said. “We want the museum to serve as a gathering spot for community members and tourists…This grant helps us take a big step forward in that direction.”
In addition to its Accessibility Initiative, AIM is also deepening its commitment to We Are One, its 3-year organizational theme. The central message behind We Are One is that all voices and all lives matter.
“We acknowledge that our nation has a complicated history where not everyone has enjoyed freedom or liberty,” noted Carr. “We explore this history in the hopes we can develop a shared understanding regarding how we can move forward together.”
To support AIM’s Accessibility Initiative, click here or the button below.
About American Independence Museum
Located in Exeter, NH, the American Independence Museum features a rare collection of historic artifacts that shed light on the Revolutionary War. Examples of popular items in our exhibits include a dragoon pistol, brown bess musket, and 18th century powder horn. Many of our programs offer insight into civic duties, civic engagement and civic responsibility, while we also feature a variety of things to do in NH, such as camps for kids, festivals, summer festival, reenactments, and homeschool programs. Perfect for a day trip or weekend trips, we believe in inclusivity and inclusive history and the spirit behind the phrase, ‘we the people’.