American Independence Museum

Museum Tours
2021-09-02 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Ladd-Gilman House, 1 Governors Ln, Exeter, NH, 03833, United States
Masks are required.
Cost:

$8 – Adults
$6 – Seniors, Students, Educators & First Responders
$4 – Children (ages 6-18)
FREE for Museum Members and Veterans.

Ladd-Gilman House Tours (10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm): Our trained docents will lead you on an hour-long exploration of important moments in our nation’s history, as seen through the lens of New Hampshire, and hear untold stories from voices beyond the battlefield. We will explore not only the events that shaped the foundations of the American nation, but also the people who contributed to the cause of independence, some of whom will be very familiar and others who may be new to you.
Folsom Tavern Tours (11 am & 1 pm): Our trained docents will lead you on a tour that will will examine Folsom Tavern’s unique history, the place that taverns held in colonial and revolutionary history and the different experiences that people had in taverns. This is an immersive, sensory-friendly tour and guests are encouraged to sit on the chairs and touch the objects on view. A children’s room, complete with period clothing and books, is also featured on the tour. This tour is recommended for all ages.
All guided tours are limited to six participants and depart from the Ladd-Gilman House. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Visitors are also welcome to take a self-guided tour of Ladd-Gilman House at any time during our open hours, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm. Self-guided tickets can be purchased at the time of visit. Folsom Tavern is open by guided tour only.Due to guide availability the last Ladd-Gilman guided tour on Friday will begin at noon.
Other dates and times are also subject to guide availability.
About the American Independence MuseumThe American Independence Museum is a history museum in Exeter, NH that features a collection of 3,000 historic artifacts that shed light on the American Revolution. Many of our programs touch on civics and the fight for independence, while we incorporate inclusivity and diversity into the experiences we create on-site and in digital formats. We feature a variety of things to do for people of all ages, including festivals, an historic tavern, guided tours and our annual American Independence Festival.

Tavern Talk: Does Truth Matter?
2022-03-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
This virtual event is free. Registration required.What is truth? Does truth exist? Does truth matter? This event is a facilitated discussion of these and related questions about one of the oldest topics in philosophy: truth. After a brief introduction to some basic concepts and distinctions, Dr. Tepley will lead the audience in a conversation about these questions. The goal is not to tell attendees what to believe but rather to give them the opportunity explore these questions, and possible answers to them, together as a group. If you like big ideas and stimulating conversation, then this event is for you. Come ready to think, to share, and to learn!

2022 Season Begins
2022-05-04 10:00 | Ladd-Gilman House, 1 Governors Ln, Exeter, NH, 03833, United States
The American Independence Museum will be reopening on Wednesday, May 4th!Ladd Gilman House tours will take place Wed-Sat: 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm. The Ladd Gilman House is open for self-guided tours anytime during museum open hours.Folsom Tavern tours will take place Wed-Sat: 11 am & 1 pm.
Admission Prices
Adults $8
Seniors, Students, Educators & First Responders $6
Children ages 6-18 $4
Children under 6 $0
Active/Retired Military and Veterans $0
Museum Members, Library Passes or Time Travelers $0

Museum Tours
2022-05-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Ladd-Gilman House, 1 Governors Ln, Exeter, NH, 03833, United States
Masks are required indoors.
Cost:$8 – Adults$6 – Seniors, Students, Educators & First Responders$4 – Children (ages 6-18)FREE for Museum Members and Veterans.
Ladd-Gilman House Tours (10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm): Our trained docents will lead you on an hour-long exploration of important moments in our nation’s history, as seen through the lens of New Hampshire, and hear untold stories from voices beyond the battlefield. We will explore not only the events that shaped the foundations of the American nation, but also the people who contributed to the cause of independence, some of whom will be very familiar and others who may be new to you.
Folsom Tavern Tours (11 am & 1 pm): Our trained docents will lead you on a tour that will will examine Folsom Tavern’s unique history, the place that taverns held in colonial and revolutionary history and the different experiences that people had in taverns. This is an immersive, sensory-friendly tour and guests are encouraged to sit on the chairs and touch the objects on view. A children’s room, complete with period clothing and books, is also featured on the tour. This tour is recommended for all ages.All tours depart from the Ladd-Gilman House. Visitors are also welcome to take a self-guided tour of Ladd-Gilman House at any time during our open hours, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the time of visit. Folsom Tavern is open by guided tour only.Tour dates and times are also subject to guide availability.
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’.

Homeschool Days
2022-05-10 10:00 | Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street, Exeter, NH, 03833, United States
Dates: Tuesday, May 10 & 24
Times: 10-11:30 a.m. & 1-2:30 p.m.
Location: Folsom Tavern Grounds
Cost: $8 children 6+, $5 adults, $0 children under 6
Capacity: 12 children per session
(all dates/times offer the same program)
Two Sides to the Story: Patriot or Loyalist? It wasn’t always easy to know what side to be on. Imagine that you are living in colonial America and wrestle with the tricky decision of deciding your stance. Will you decide to sign the Patriots oath of allegiance?
Notes

All efforts will be taken to hold this event outdoors under a tent if weather permits
​This is not a drop-off program. Parents must accompany children for the duration of the program.
Program fee includes a pass to visit the museum after the program or another day.
Due to the historic nature of the buildings, the museum is not handicap accessible.

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’.

Tavern Talk: Lafayette and Human Rights
2022-05-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street, Exeter, NH, 03833, United States
Program Date: Wednesday, May 11
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: in person at the Folsom Taven
Post Cost: free
Post Capacity: 30This program is made possible thanks to New Hampshire Humanities Humanities To Go.Lafayette’s first foray into human rights work was during the American Revolution which he saw as a cause important to all people. He continued to promote universal natural rights throughout his life. During the French Revolution he drafted “the Rights of Man and the Citizen” and later supported other revolutions in Europe and South America as well as causes designed to deliver human rights to the oppressed. In particular, the abolition of slavery engaged Lafayette continuously, from the American Revolution and his return tour of the United States until his death in 1834. Lafayette said: “I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America, if I could have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of slavery.”
About the Presenter
Alan R. Hoffman obtained his BA in History from Yale College and JD from Harvard Law School. He “discovered” Lafayette in 2002 and spent two years translating Auguste Levasseur’s Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825, the first-hand account of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour of America, which was published in 2007. President of the American Friends of Lafayette and the Massachusetts Lafayette Society, Hoffman has lectured in 15 of the 24 states that Lafayette visited on the Farewell Tour.
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’.
