Tag: festivals

Volunteers are crucial to any nonprofit, which underscores the importance staff at the American Independence Museum is placing on two upcoming volunteer information session on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 5 and 6.

“Volunteers are often the first point of contact the public has with the museum,” said Victoria Su, public programs & engagement manager. “We are a very small staff of only 5 employees, and we simply could not do all we do without the help of many dedicated volunteers.”

Currently the biggest need at the museum is gift shop attendants, educators and guides.

“These are opportunities where volunteers can work closely with a very accessible and professional staff who are very open to their ideas, talents, knowledge and skills,” added Su. “Volunteers also have the opportunity to share the museum’s unique history and collection with students, guests and visitors from all over the country.”

For Manchester resident Christy Slavik Hamilton, who is a volunteer teacher educator, the American Independence Museum is “the perfect setting to help students discover that history is real and connects to today.”

“Students have access to authentic objects and documents,” she said. “The experiences we can provide are intimate and interactive, and the programs help students[…]dig deep to understand context and points of view.”

Noting she works with school groups, Hamilton said she has also helped out with special events, such as the American Independence Festival in July and Holiday Colonial Tea in December.

While Hamilton’s background is in education–she recently retired as a fifth-grade Language Arts and American History teacher in Natick, MA–museum Executive Director Emma Bray stresses that prior experience is not a requirement for volunteers.

“There are so many ways community members can become involved at the museum,” she said. “There is no one type of volunteer.”

Su agreed and said volunteers at the museum enjoy a lot of perks, some of which include year-end celebrations, free memberships, gift shop discounts, possible recognition in social media and more.

“Volunteering at the museum is a lot of fun and a rich and rewarding experience for community members and staff alike,” she said.

To learn more about volunteering, the museum will host Volunteer Information Sessions on Tuesday, March 5 from 10 to 11:30 am and on Wednesday, March 6 from 6 to 7:30 pm. Both events will be held in the museum’s Folsom Tavern at 164 Water Street in Exeter.

About the American Independence Museum
The 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. 

The museum is a member of the 17-member NH Heritage Museum Trail, which connects the   with culturally rich heritage institutions in New Hampshire. For more information about the NH Heritage Museum Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.

With a full house in attendance for the first Colonial Holiday Tea this past at the American Independence Museum Folsom Tavern in Exeter, the final event in the series takes place on Saturday, December 8.

At the event, guests enjoy a more rustic version of a Victorian Tea with assorted finger sandwiches, scones, and cookies, which were prepared by colonial inspired caterers, For the Love of Food and Drink.

According to Executive Director Emma Bray, the event provides a fun entrypoint to “those who may not know about the museum.”

“It takes place at Folsom Tavern where George Washington once dined, so it is fun to sit and relax in this historic environment,” she said. “If you want to visit the museum in 2018, this is your last chance.”

For Bray, this past Saturday’s attendance both delighted and surprised staff.

“Any time you start a new program, you are never quite sure what might happen,” she said. “We were thrilled at the response and expect another full house this Saturday.”

At the event, which features a seating at 11am and 2pm, guests may also try their hand at making mulling spices and lavender sachets as well as practice writing with a quill pen.

About the American Independence Museum
The 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.

Featuring a silent auction, which includes getaways, gift certificates to area restaurants and more, the American Independence Museum’s Holiday Open House on Friday, November 30 from 5 to 8 pm will also benefit veterans.

In lieu of paying an admission fee, visitors are asked to bring toiletries, travel-size hygiene items, card games and individually packaged snacks that Pease Greeters will distribute to active military leaving or returning home.

At the event, the Exeter Chapter of the New Hampshire State Organization Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will provide visitors with the opportunity to write personalized holiday cards that will be delivered to veterans.

Museum Executive Director Emma Bray cited several reasons as to why supporting active military and veterans is important. In 1783, the NH chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati was founded at the museum’s Folsom Tavern. The nation’s oldest patriotic organization, the Society was founded by officers of the Continental Army and their French counterparts who served together in the American Revolution.

“It’s important we give back to the men and women who have given our nation so much,” said Bray, who noted the Society owns both museum buildings and some objects in its collection.

In 2018, financial support from Chinburg Properties enabled the museum to provide free admission to active military, veterans and their families.

“While we are celebrating the end of a wonderful season, the holidays are also a time for reflection and gratitude,” added Bray. “We want to take an opportunity during our Holiday Open House to remember those who helped form our nation and those who help preserve our freedoms today.’

Held at Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, Holiday Open House is part of the museum’s Ring in the Season events, sponsored by Buxton Water.

“Sponsors like Chinburg Properties and event presenter Buxton Water enable us to achieve so much,” she added. “We have much to be thankful for. We hope people of all ages will join us for this wonderful event.”

About the American Independence Museum
The 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.

Held at Folsom Tavern on Friday, November 30 from 5 pm to 8 pm, Holiday Open House marks the beginning of a busy weekend for the American Independence Museum.

“It’s a weekend where we hope people who have yet to experience the tavern or our museum will come and visit us,” said Executive Director Emma Bray.

Holiday Open House is part of the museum’s Ring in the Season events, sponsored by Buxton Water.“We are so appreciative for their support,” added Bray. “Donna [Buxton] has always been a champion of the museum, so we are happy to have her as part of such a festive occasion. Folsom Tavern is the perfect backdrop for a holiday gathering.”

At the Holiday Open House, the museum will feature light snacks and adult refreshments, live seasonal music and a pop-up gift shop that will feature many local, handmade products perfect for holiday gift giving. The evening’s highlight is its silent auction, which will feature getaways, gift certificates to area restaurants and more.

Proceeds from the evening will support museum programs, some of which include Revolutionary Story Time! and Traveling Trunk, sponsored by sponsored by Exeter Hospital and Service Credit Union, respectively.

“We encourage curiosity, fun and engagement here,” said Bray. “I hope we see new faces throughout the weekend.”

Other programs that will take place during the weekend include Colonial Holiday Tea on Saturday, December 1 at Folsom Tavern. At this event, guests may “sip delicious teas and dine on small bites” provided by colonial-inspired caterer, For the Love of Food and Drink. Colonial Holiday Tea will also take place on Saturday, December 8 at Folsom Tavern.

On Sunday, December 2, the Tavern will be open from 10 am to 5 pm during which time visitors will be able to pick up tickets for Womenade of Greater Squamscott’s Exeter Area Holiday Home Tour. The museum’s pop-up gift shop will also be open and holiday refreshments will be available.

About the American Independence Museum
The 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.

While the the first weekend in December is historically the last chance in a calendar year in which people may visit the American Independence Museum, Colonial Holiday Tea represents a departure from this formula.

“We wanted to create a new program this year that would extend our season a little bit,” explained Executive Director Emma Bray. “Our new Colonial Holiday Tea is the result of this effort, and we think it provides visitors of all ages with the perfect opportunity to enjoy a colonial-inspired experience during the festive holiday season.”

At the event, which takes place on Saturday, December 1 and 8, guests will enjoy “a relaxed, festive tea” provided by colonial inspired caterers, For the Love of Food and Drink. In addition to an array of teas, guests will be served food, which will include assorted finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and tarts.

“We intend the event to be an engaging holiday event for all ages–whether with friends, mothers and daughters, entire families, or groups,” said the museum’s Victoria Su, who is organizing the event.

Guests will dine in three of the ground floor rooms of historic Folsom Tavern in which George Washington enjoyed a meal during his 1789 visit to Exeter.

“The tavern is beautifully decorated for the holidays, so the ambiance is so festive,” said Su, who said the event will also provide visitors with the opportunity to make colonial crafts.

‘You can make mulling spices and lavender sachets, and you can try quill pen writing and write gift tags or letters to Santa,” she added. “We will also have a pop-up gift shop set up in the tavern for some historic holiday shopping.”

Seatings for Colonial Holiday Tea are 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, December 1 and December 8. Each Tea is 2-hours long and will be more rustic than a traditional Victorian or high tea.

“It will bring the tavern to life, much like we imagine it might have been during our nation’s Revolutionary beginnings,” said Bray. “The emphasis is on lively, fun, and festive.”

Pre-registration is required. To purchase tickets, or to learn more about Colonial Holiday Tea, visit www.independencemuseum.org.

About the American Independence Museum
The 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.

Sponsored by Service Credit Union, the American Independence Museum’s Traveling Trunk program is expected to educate more than 5,000 students across the nation in 2019.

Featuring more than 70 reproduction items with lesson plans for teachers, the free program provides opportunities for kids to actively engage with history through hands-on experiences.

According to Abby Pietrantonio, the unprecedented growth of the program–it has educated about 630 students in 2018–speaks to a real educational need.

“Students of all ages can benefit tremendously from experiencing hands-on history.” she said. “By exploring the past, it can help students can draw comparisons to their own lives.”

By the end of this year, it is anticipated that the program, which is provided at no cost to schools, will educate an additional 180 persons. In 2019, the Traveling Trunk is expected in California, Florida, Minnesota, Utah and other states. The program is not just geared for young people, though.

“I recently traveled to an assisted living facility, in Madbury, New Hampshire for a presentation,” she added.

Due to its popularity, museum Executive Director Emma Bray said that they may need to consider adding another trunk to its programming lineup.

“Our Traveling Trunk allows us to expand our programming outside our museum walls to provide a rich, interactive, hands-on history experience for schoolchildren,” she said. “An expansion of this program is definitely up for discussion.”

Bray credited the museum’s long standing partnership with Service Credit Union as instrumental.

“It is wonderful to know that we are providing a program of value and real need to teachers and that we are able to keep it free and accessible through Service Credit Union’s support,” she added.

In addition to educating students in the classroom, the Traveling Trunk program enables families of students to visit the museum free of charge.

About the American Independence Museum
The 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.

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