After receiving both her BA and MA in History from Southern New Hampshire University, Carr first joined the American Independence Museum as a volunteer. Shortly thereafter, in March 2020, she began working for the museum as the Collections Manager and Curator.
During her time as Curator, she has supported the Museum’s mission to share the diverse stories of New Hampshire’s revolutionary past. One example is her work through the museum’s History Matters videos, which highlight individuals such as Wentworth Cheswell, considered the first black American elected to public office. She has updated exhibit information panels to improve accessibility for the seeing impaired and led the migration of all the Museum’s collections information to an online platform that, when complete, can be remotely accessed by external researchers.
In May 2022, Carr took on the role of Acting Executive Director. Regarding the choice to appoint Carr to the role of Executive Director, Museum Board President Ozzie Ayescue said she “has shown incredible dedication.”
“She has worked to preserve the Museum’s valuable collection and facilities and strong leadership delving into the Museum’s collections to find new stories and expose new points of view,” he explained. “She is truly dedicated to creating a more inclusive Museum as part of our overall mission to inspire civic engagement…She is serious and fun to work with—this is a natural step up for Jen.”
Sarah Jaworski, Museum Program Manager, echoed these sentiments. “I am thrilled to continue working with Jen,” she said. “Her commitment to our Museum’s mission and her hard work make her an excellent fit to be the next executive director.”
Under Carr’s leadership, the American Independence Museum will continue its work to share the diverse stories of New Hampshire’s revolutionary past to encourage civic engagement.
About the 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’.