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American Independence Museum To Host Escape Room Adventure

FOLSOM TAVERN GAMES

On Saturday, May 20 and Friday, June 2, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to see if they can escape historic Folsom Tavern (1775) at the American Independence Museum (AIM).

At the event, “Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure,” participants must work together to decipher clues and solve puzzles within 30-minutes. “They may even learn a little history,” said AIM’s Alena Shellenbean, who developed the program. “We are excited to welcome people of all ages to our campus for a fun time.”

The event, according to AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr, is part of the museum’s Building Community initiative within its 3-year theme, We Are One. “This Escape Room Adventure is one response to our rhetorical question, ‘How do we bring the community together?’” she said.

Built in 1775, Folsom Tavern is host to special programs and events. Visitors may also take guided tours of Folsom Tavern, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday. On these tours, visitors will learn the unique role of taverns in colonial and revolutionary history.

“Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure” will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2. Tickets range from $12 to $25 with 10% off for members.

Event Details

Date: May 20, 2023
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH
Cost: $25 adults, $12 children, Members get a 10% discount
Capacity: 8 people per timeslot

Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure

Heart pumping history is coming to Folsom Tavern. This spring, AIM is introducing a new activity: “Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure.” Participants must work together to decipher clues, solve puzzles, and even learn a little history. Groups of up to 8 people are in for an hour of fun with some  learning thrown in. Preregistration is highly encouraged.

Trouble in the Tavern takes place during TEAM (Town, Exeter, Arts, Music) spring Arts and Music fest. Please enjoy some live music, vendors, and artists, and then spend a delightful time in Historic Folsom Tavern with friends.

Date: June 2, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH
Cost: $25 adults, $12 children, Members get a 10% discount
Capacity: 8 people per timeslot

Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure

Heart pumping history is coming to Folsom Tavern. This spring, AIM is introducing a new activity: “Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure.” Participants must work together to decipher clues, solve puzzles, and even learn a little history. Groups of up to 8 people are in for an hour of fun with some learning thrown in. Preregistration is highly encouraged.

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’.

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American Independence Museum To Form Creative Aging Advisory Group

Older adults at AIM

Serving the cultural needs of older adults has been a longstanding priority at the American Independence Museum (AIM), which recently announced its intent to form a Creative Aging Advisory Group. Made possible by a grant from Eventide Foundation, the group will first meet on Tuesday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Exeter Public Library.

“The purpose behind the group is to provide older adults with an active voice in what we offer them,” said Sarah Jaworski, Program Manager at AIM. “The best way to serve older adults is to invite them to become involved.”

AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr agreed and said she is thrilled to have the support of Eventide Foundation behind the museum’s initiative, ‘Engage Older Adults.’ “This initiative is part of our We Are One theme, which emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and diversity in what we offer the public and how we offer it,” she said. “I’m thrilled we have this opportunity to meaningfully engage older adults in the greater Seacoast area.”

Regarding expectations for participation, Jaworski said she envisions the group may meet every few months and as needed. She said the hope is that AIM can take suggestions from the group and use them to help develop programming and visitor experiences that meet the needs of older adults.

“What we can’t do is assume we know what older adults need and want,” she said. “We want to do more for our older guests from near and far, so this is a terrific first step.”

Currently, AIM offers a variety of programs geared toward older adults, including Traveling Trunk for Older Adults, which provides interactive learning experiences about civic engagement and everyday life during the American Revolution. The trunk often supplements adult education classes at senior centers, 55+ communities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities.

To join, sponsor, or learn more about AIM’s Creative Aging Advisory Group, contact Jaworski at [email protected].

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’.

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American Independence Museum To Open Wednesday, May 3

Denise and Paul Pouliot from COWASS

On Wednesday, May 3, the American Independence Museum (AIM) will open its doors for 2023, a season in which visitors will be introduced to the museum’s new three-year inclusivity and diversity theme, We Are One. Launched earlier in 2023, We Are One represents AIM’s organizational focus on developing programs, exhibits, and tour experiences that honor many perspectives, including those often marginalized in history.

This emphasis on inclusivity, according to Curator Maddie Beihl, guides her work in developing a new exhibit at the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721) that will open by early summer. “We want to acknowledge the Indigenous heritage of the region and the specific impacts of Exeter’s colonial history on Pennacook and Abenaki independence,” she explained.

As part of her work, Beihl will meet with representatives of the Pennacook and Abenaki community, members of the Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective, and other community stakeholders. One topic of discussion will be the significance of the land upon which AIM is located.

“We will work together to determine the best way to acknowledge the loss of traditional Indigenous lifeways as a result of the colonial use of this site,” she said. “We will also restore a portion of AIM’s land to support native plants and wildlife of special significance to the Indigenous community.”

According to AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr, tours at the museum this season will also begin to reveal new insights into its collection through diverse perspectives with more significant changes to come in 2024.

“This is a process that will involve many stakeholders,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to experience our interpretation of New Hampshire’s Colonial history through fresh and unexpected perspectives.”

In 2023, guided tours of the Ladd-Gilman House take place Wednesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., with self-guided tours available anytime between 10:00 am and 3:30 pm. Guided tours of Folsom Tavern (1775) take place, Wednesday through Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

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’.

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AIM to Explore African-American Soldiers’ Service During Revolutionary War

painting of black soldiers in the American Revolutionary War

On Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 p.m., at Folsom Tavern in Exeter, independent scholar and author Glenn A. Knoblock will examine the history of African-American soldiers’ service during the Revolutionary War.

Made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities, the event is part of the American Independence Museum’s ongoing Tavern Talk series, which is designed “to inspire a deeper understanding of America’s diverse history.” Tavern Talks are part of the museum’s recently launched We Are One initiative, whose primary message is that “all voices and all perspectives matter.”

“We are also one people, one nation, one planet,” explained museum Executive Director Jennifer Carr. “At the American Independence Museum, we firmly believe that our strength as a nation is in our diversity. Our programs reflect that.”

At this Tavern Talk, entitled “African American Soldiers and Sailors of New Hampshire During the American Revolution,” Knoblock will explore various topics, including how and why they enlisted and their interaction with white soldiers. Other topics will range from service on the battlefields, how African Americans were perceived by the enemy and the officers under whom they served, and their treatment after the war.

“Tavern Talks are open-dialogue, moderated discussions facilitated by experts and practitioners from diverse backgrounds,” said Carr. “These are wonderful community events that we feel can inspire and enlighten people of all ages.”

“African American Soldiers and Sailors of New Hampshire During the American Revolution,” takes place on Tuesday, April 11, 7:00 p.m., at Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. The event is free, although pre-registration is encouraged.

Event Details

Date: April 11, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH
Cost: FREE
Capacity: 30

One of the most interesting aspects of the American Revolution is the role played by African Americans in the fight for independence. Both free African Americans and those that were enslaved were key in manning state militias and Continental Army units, as well as serving on the high seas in the Navy and on privately armed ships. Indeed, their service to the colonies was crucial in a conflict that lasted nearly seven years. Prohibited from serving in military units and largely considered “undesirable elements,” how is it that these African-American soldiers came to fight for the cause of liberty, even when their own personal liberty was not guaranteed? 

In this Tavern Talk, Glenn Knoblock examines the history of African-American soldiers’ service during the war, including how and why they enlisted, their interaction with white soldiers, service on the battlefields, how they were perceived by the enemy and the officers under whom they served, and their treatment after the war.

About Glenn Knoblock

Glenn A. Knoblock is an independent scholar and author of over twenty books. Knoblock has served as the main military contributor to Harvard and Oxford University’s landmark African American Biography Project, and he has also written for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. His work documents a wide variety of subjects in New Hampshire and New England history, including African American history, historic cemeteries and grave markers, and transportation related topics, including covered bridges and the Kancamagus Highway. He holds a BA in History from Bowling Green State University.

This program is made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org.

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’.

We Are One “Taking Sides (Patriot or Loyalist)” MiniCamp

Kids with Sarah

Date: July 27, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: AIM, 1 Governors Ln., Exeter, NH
Cost: Non-members – $55 per day or $195 for all four:
Members – $45 per day or $170 for all four

Patriot, loyalists, neutral or something else? It wasn’t always easy to know what side to be on. Wrestle with the tricky decision of deciding your stance. Participate in a trial of your neighbors on the opposite side as you, decide if you would have taken the Oath of Allegiance to the Patriotic cause. This camp is designed for ages 7 to 11.

We Are One MiniCamps
During the minicamps, campers ages 7 to 11 will immerse themselves in hands-on 18th century life, uncovering the stories of the people who helped build our nation and how they can continue to be a part of America’s unfolding story. Each week, campers will dress in colonial clothing, participate in games and activities, create projects and eat a colonial-inspired snack. Enlist for one, two, three, or all four sessions!

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’.

We Are One “Protest and Engagement” MiniCamp

Kids with Sarah

Date: July 20, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: AIM, 1 Governors Ln., Exeter, NH
Cost: Non-members – $55 per day or $195 for all four:
Members – $45 per day or $170 for all four

Everyone living in the colonies was deeply affected by the war and contributed to the cause. Uncover their stories and how it is the People, including us, who have the power to make change and keep our nation strong. Dress in colonial clothes, create your own ‘printing press’, make liberty tea, and learn ways you can make change in your community. This camp is designed for ages 7 to 11.

We Are One MiniCamps
During the minicamps, campers ages 7 to 11 will immerse themselves in hands-on 18th century life, uncovering the stories of the people who helped build our nation and how they can continue to be a part of America’s unfolding story. Each week, campers will dress in colonial clothing, participate in games and activities, create projects and eat a colonial-inspired snack. Enlist for one, two, three, or all four sessions!

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’.

We Are One “Land Connection” MiniCamp

Kids with Sarah

Date: July 13, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: AIM, 1 Governors Ln., Exeter, NH
Cost: Non-members – $55 per day or $195 for all four:
Members – $45 per day or $170 for all four

Winter, summer, inland or by the coast- where you lived and the season played a role in daily life during the 18th century. Discover why Exeter was settled (the river), how the River provided jobs and food, and how the seasons affected food and daily habits. Work in the garden, prepare seasonal food and preserve food for the winter, forage for seasonal food and learn about how the river served as a highway, transporting goods and people for thousands of years. This camp is designed for ages 7 to 11.

We Are One MiniCamps
During the minicamps, campers ages 7 to 11 will immerse themselves in hands-on 18th century life, uncovering the stories of the people who helped build our nation and how they can continue to be a part of America’s unfolding story. Each week, campers will dress in colonial clothing, participate in games and activities, create projects and eat a colonial-inspired snack. Enlist for one, two, three, or all four sessions!

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’.

We Are One “Daily Life” MiniCamp (SOLD OUT!)

Kids with Sarah

Date: July 6, 2023
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: AIM, 1 Governors Ln., Exeter, NH
Cost: Non-members – $55 per day or $195 for all four:
Members – $45 per day or $170 for all four

Everyday people, laborers, farmers, housewives, and even children all were deeply affected by the war and contributed to the cause. In this camp, carry out daily chores (hauling water and wood, tending the garden, cooking, etc.) and discover what life was like living in the shadow of the Revolution. This camp is designed for ages 7 to 11.

We Are One MiniCamps
During the minicamps, campers ages 7 to 11 will immerse themselves in hands-on 18th century life, uncovering the stories of the people who helped build our nation and how they can continue to be a part of America’s unfolding story. Each week, campers will dress in colonial clothing, participate in games and activities, create projects and eat a colonial-inspired snack. Enlist for one, two, three, or all four sessions!

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’.

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American Independence Museum Launches “We Are One”

Reflecting its organizational emphasis on inclusivity and diversity, the American Independence Museum (AIM) has launched We Are One, a concept that will serve as its guiding principle for the next three years.

“As we prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, We Are One will help guide how we develop programs, events, and exhibits, and how we engage with visitors,” said Jennifer Carr, executive director.

Alena Shellenbean, AIM events and marketing manager, said the very formation of the United States serves as a testament to the rationale behind We Are One. “When the Declaration of Independence was written, a lot of people thought it would fail because each colony, each would-be state, was so different,” she said. “The concern was that they might not agree on anything, let alone how to be a country.”

In the early years of the Republic, an etching printed on flyers—the 18th century version of a logo—was developed to help signify the founders’ hope for a new United States. Revealing each of the original 13 colonies as a circle interlocked with one another, the image serves as the basis for AIM’s We Are One logo.

“We have many voices, many perspectives, and they all matter, which I think our logo captures,” remarked Carr. “As we move toward the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, We Are One reminds us what is possible when we unite during times of division.”

Carr said this concept inspired the 2nd NH Regiment during the American Revolution. “They used this symbol on their regimental flag,” she said.

According to Carr, We Are One will find expression in four initiatives, which include Bring History to Life, Educate Children & Youth, Engage Older Adults, and Build Community. “Our programs, events, and exhibits all fall within one of these initiatives, which explain quite clearly our intentions,” explained Carr. “We believe these initiatives will resonate with people of all ages and from diverse backgrounds.”

In looking ahead, Shellenbean said she hopes that “our differences as a nation” could be looked upon as a strength rather than a weakness. “We’ve always been a country full of people with big ideas, sometimes wildly different ideas, which I think makes us stronger,” she said. “We Are One is an idea that can hold us together and make our differences into a strength.”

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American Independence Museum to Explore “What it Means to be an American”

Folsom Tavern

On Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 p.m., at Folsom Tavern in Exeter, Joshua Tepley will facilitate “What Does it Mean to be an American?” as part of Open Questions, presented by New Hampshire Humanities. A series of thought-provoking community conversations, Open Questions explores essential questions about meaning and life that are important to Granite Staters.

“We are thrilled to host this event in our historic Folsom Tavern at no cost,” said AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr. “As a society, it is crucial we create space for open, thoughtful dialogue, so this is the kind of conversation we want to take place on our campus.”

According to Carr, such open-dialogue conversations take on special meaning at Folsom Tavern, which was built in 1775. “Taverns like Folsom Tavern were the hub of colonial society and where debates and conversations took place that often found their way into politics,” she added. “This discussion at our tavern is unique because it provides historical context to the need for respectful discussions.”

Each program in Open Questions is facilitated by philosophy professors who explore essential questions about meaning and life. With research interests in free will, personal identity, ontology (the study of being), and the intersection between philosophy and science fiction, Tepley is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Philosophy Department at Saint Anselm College. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from Bucknell University (2004) and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame (2013).

Part of AIM’s ongoing Tavern Talk series, “What Does it Mean to be an American?” takes place on Tuesday, March 21, 6:30 p.m., at Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. Discussions in AIM’s Tavern Talk series are open-dialogue, moderated discussions facilitated by various experts and practitioners from diverse backgrounds. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. 

Event Details

Date: March 21, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH
Cost: FREE
Capacity: 30

Open Questions is a series of thought-provoking community conversations presented by New Hampshire Humanities. This series explores essential questions about meaning and life that are important to Granite Staters. Each program is facilitated by philosophy professors who will explore essential questions about meaning and life. Preregistration is highly encouraged.

About Joshua Tepley

Dr. Joshua Tepley is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Philosophy Department at Saint Anselm College, where he has taught for the last decade. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from Bucknell University (2004) and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame (2013). His research interests include free will, personal identity, ontology (the study of being), and the intersection between philosophy and science fiction.This program is made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org.

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’.

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