Tavern Talk: Uprooted

Uprooted is a 30-minute documentary based on interviews collected during New Hampshire Humanities’ Fences & Neighbors initiative on immigration. It tells the story of five refugees who escaped from war-torn countries to resettle in New Hampshire. The film explores what it means to be a refugee and how it feels to make a new life in a strange place, often without English language skills, family, a job, or community contacts. The film leaves us pondering questions of belonging and citizenship. What does it mean to be an American? Once a refugee, are you destined always to be a refugee? What are our responsibilities toward one another?

More information
Presented by Sara Withers as part of New Hampshire Humanities to Go program.

This Tavern Talk will include an introduction to the film, a screening, and a guided discussion afterwards.

Registration is Open for Traveling Trunk

Educating thousands of K-12 students from across the nation since its inception in 2016, the American Independence Museum’s free Traveling Trunk program is open for 2022 registration.

Developed with initial seed funding from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the program uses revolutionary history to explore themes relevant today.

Shipped in a trunk, the program contains 70+ high quality reproduction items and colonial history curriculum materials that may be utilized by teachers for students of varying ages.

“We can customize the program, too, to suit individual needs,” said Museum Executive Director Emma Stratton, who said museum staff is currently exploring ways to ‘digitize’ aspects of the program.

“We are developing interactive digital programs and events that will remove barriers — physical or financial — for people of all ages,” she added. “Digital engagement and inclusivity is a big focus for the museum, as we look to the future.”

To learn more about the Traveling Trunk, which may be shipped anywhere in the United States, click here.

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.

New staff underscore commitment to innovation at American Independence Museum

Two women on a Zoom call

It may be the offseason for the American Independence Museum, but that does not mean staff are “off,” according to Executive Director Emma Stratton, who cited two recent new hires as proof.

“Like many organizations, our operations shifted dramatically from in-person to digital engagement last year, which has created new staffing opportunities,” she said.

These new opportunities include program assistant and content and marketing manager, roles that will be filled by Emma Scheinmann and Sabina Ion, respectively.

“I am thrilled to have Sabina and Emma join our team,” said Stratton. “Both possess a strong museum background, exceptional skills and demonstrated success in their areas of expertise.”

Each expressing enthusiasm at joining the current staff at the Museum, Scheinmann and Ion said they plan to proverbially “hit the ground running.”

“I am excited to rework all education and public engagements to be mission and collections driven and to show the public value of museums,” noted Scheinmann.

A trained archaeologist who “[loves] digging into the past,” Ion said she looks forward to enhancing and developing the Museum’s content strategy.

“I will promote and showcase all the wonderful programming the team has been creating and the fascinating items in the Museum collection,” she said.

Noting she received a Master of Arts in Museum Education from Tufts University in May 2020, Scheinmann added, “I see myself as a facilitator for learning with the Museum as my toolbox.”

In looking ahead to the 2021 season, which begins on May 1, Stratton cited digital engagement as an increasingly important focus of the Museum’s education and public programs.

“As the Museum celebrates its 30th anniversary, we are renewing our focus on civic engagement, too,” she added. “This mission will be reflected in our work, and we look forward to sharing more with the public this year.”

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.

Tavern Talk : From Across the Sea: North Americans in Nelson’s Navy

 Reservations required.

Join us for a virtual Tavern Talk presented by Sean M. Heuvel, Ph.D. and Capt. John Rodgaard (USN, Ret.)

North Americans played an integral role in the Royal Navy during the Wars with France, from the lower deck all the way to the highest levels of command. While some of these North Americans operated in relative obscurity, others achieved high rank and formed lasting friendships with some of Great Britain’s foremost naval leaders of the age, including Lord Nelson and King William IV. 

From Across the Sea: North Americans in Nelson’s Navy explores the varied contributions of North Americans to the Royal Navy during Great Britain’s wars against Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. It is the first book that explores this topic in depth. As an edited compilation, top specialists in the field have contributed thematic essays (on topics ranging from impressment to the Anglo-American maritime relationship) as well as biographical essays on a range of North Americans from both the officer ranks and the lower deck. For the biographical portraits, special attention has been paid to individuals who have not already been the subject of extensive research and writing. Accompanying these essays are several never-before-published illustrations depicting some of the key North Americans as well as the ships and naval battles in which they were a part.  

Sean M. Heuvel, Ph.D. is a faculty member in the Department of Leadership and American Studies at Christopher Newport University. He holds a B.A., M.Ed., Ph.D. and an M.A. An active member of The 1805 Club and The Society of the Cincinnati, Dr. Heuvel also co-founded the Williamsburg-Yorktown American Revolution Roundtable in 2013 and now serves as a president emeritus on its executive board.
Captain John A. Rodgaard, USN (Ret.) has over 41 years with the naval service of the United States. He is also a published author and a contributor to several Discovery Channel Unsolved History Television Programs. He  co-authored A Call to The Sea: Captain Charles Stewart of The USS Constitution, and authored A Hard Fought Ship: The Story of HMS Venomous. He is the recipient of the Naval Institute’s History Author of the Year in 1999.  Rodgaard holds a B.A. in History and Political Science; an M.A. in Political Science, and is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College.

Virtual Tavern Night

Friday, December 18, 7:00-9:00 pm
$10 adult nonmembers*
$8 adult members*

*Each Tavern game is an additional $5; available for on-site pick up or $5 shipping

Reservations required.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

 

As the nights get darker and colder, gather virtually ‘round the tavern fire, share a song, a story, or a game and a drink with friends! Our virtual Tavern Night features live 18th century tavern music, the return of our popular tavern trivia and, of course, refreshments. Each ‘traveler’ will receive a colonial beverage recipe and a Zoom background of our Folsom Tavern.

Colonial games such as dice, nine pin, and Quoits are available to purchase at an additional charge.

Virtual Holiday Tea

Saturday, December 12, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Nonmembers: $10 adults, $5 children 6-18, under 6 free
Members: $8 adults, $3 children 6-18, under 6 free

Reservations required.

Join us and your friends and loved ones for a virtual holiday tea. Start the tea off with colonial music (singing along is encouraged), learn about colonial tea etiquette and 18th century foodways, then break off into your own ‘room’ to enjoy time socializing with friends and family.

Each participant will receive several colonial recipes suited for a tea, their own sample package of tea* from Alchemy & Herbs, and a colonial zoom background. A great way to share the joy of the season safely!

*Tea pick up can be arranged at the museum or can be shipped for $3. Options include Bohea (caffeinated black tea blend ) and Liberty Tea (an herbal, no-caffeine blend).

Concerts on the Lawn: Jordan TW Trio

Saturday, October 17, 3pm to 5pm

$15 – Adults
$10 – Members/Seniors/Veterans & Active or Retired Military
$7 – Children ages 6-18
$5 – Member Children ages 6-18

Join us on the lawn of Folsom Tavern for our socially distanced* concert series this October. As part of our re-imagined American Independence Festival, this concert series invites guests to enjoy the talents of excellent local musicians who are not only wonderful performers, but also stewards of musical culture, history, and traditional folkways.
 
The final concert in the series will be the Jordan TW Trio. Putting a fresh spin on traditional Irish music, the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio delivers and dynamic show full of foot-stompin’ fiddle tunes and classic sing-alongs. Fiddler Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki is joined by fellow New Hampshire natives Matt Jensen on guitar and Chris Noyes on upright bass. Their shows blend traditional Celtic music with their own original material, drawing on multiple genres to produce a unique sound. The Trio has appeared live on NHPR’s “The Folk Show,” been featured on “NH Chronicle” and performed regularly at some of NH’s best venues, as well as listening rooms, pubs and Celtic festivals around New England.
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The Concerts on the Lawn music series is presented through a grant from New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, sponsorship from Newburyport Bank, and in partnership with the Exeter Area YMCA.
 
Advanced registration is required for this event. Rain date, Sunday, October 18.
 
*For the safety of guests, performers, and museum staff/volunteers, COVID procedures and protocols are strictly enforced and clearly stated on the event registration page.

Concerts on the Lawn: Theo Martey & The Akwaaba Ensemble

Saturday, October 10, 3pm to 5pm

$15 – Adults
$10 – Members/Seniors/Veterans & Active or Retired Military
$7 – Children ages 6-18
$5 – Member Children ages 6-18

Join us on the lawn of Folsom Tavern for our socially distanced* concert series this October. As part of our re-imagined American Independence Festival, this concert series invites guests to enjoy the talents of excellent local musicians who are not only wonderful performers, but also stewards of musical culture, history, and traditional folkways.
 
Second in our series is master percussionist, dancer, and teacher, Theophilus Nii Martey. Originally from Ghana, West Africa and now living in Manchester, NH, Theo is a master of West African drumming and dance, a heritage that has many subtle variations in rhythmic patterns, dance styles, and costumes all specific to a wide diversity of tribal groups from the region. Theo started his drumming and dancing studies in Bukom Accra, Ghana at the age of 6, working under the wing of master drummers and dancers. As a young man, he journeyed to London, England and Australia where he studied with other master artists. Since moving to Manchester, he has founded the Akwaaba Drum and Dance Ensemble. The Akwaaba Ensemble’s energetic and engaging performances are a reflection of their name, which means ‘welcome’ in the Twi language of Ghana. They bring West African drumming and dance to vivid life, holding sway with the rich and subtle rhythmic patterns and styles specific to different tribal groups of West Africa.
 
The Concerts on the Lawn music series is presented through a grant from New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, sponsorship from Newburyport Bank, and in partnership with the Exeter Area YMCA.
 
Advanced registration is required for this event. Rain date, Sunday, October 11.
 
*For the safety of guests, performers, and museum staff/volunteers, COVID procedures and protocols are strictly enforced and clearly stated on the event registration page.

Concerts on the Lawn: The Fiddling Thomsons

Saturday, October 3, 3pm to 5pm

$15 – Adults
$10 – Members/Seniors/Veterans & Active or Retired Military
$7 – Children ages 6-18
$5 – Member Children ages 6-18

Join us on the lawn of Folsom Tavern for our socially distanced* concert series this October. As part of our re-imagined American Independence Festival, this concert series invites guests to enjoy the talents of excellent local musicians who are not only wonderful performers, but also stewards of musical culture, history, and traditional folkways.
 
First up, we welcome father and son duo The Fiddling Thomsons! Ryan Thomson is a multi-instrumentalist performer who plays the fiddle, accordion, banjo, Celtic flute, piano, and pennywhistle. His family’s musical heritage stretches back to the pioneer days. Ryan performs often with Brennish Thomson, his fiddling son, who is carrying forward his family’s music traditions.
                                                                                                  The Concerts on the Lawn music series is presented through a grant from New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, sponsorship from Newburyport Bank, and in partnership with the Exeter Area YMCA.
 
Advanced registration is required for this event. Rain date, Sunday, October 4.
 
*For the safety of guests, performers, and museum staff/volunteers, COVID procedures and protocols are strictly enforced and clearly stated on the event registration page.

Folsom Tavern & Grounds Tour (Afternoon)

These tours are offered every Thursday and Saturday at 11 am and 1 pm through November 21. Tours dates for the following month will be posted on 15th of each month.*

Cost: $8 – Adults; $5 – Seniors, Students, Educators & First Responders; $3 – Children (ages 6-18); FREE for Museum Members and Veterans.

*Registration closes at 4 pm the day prior to the tour date.  Masks and pre-registration are required.

Join the American Independence Museum for a new and exciting tour experience! Join one of our docent for an hour-long tour of the museum grounds and Folsom Tavern.

The museum grounds once housed 5 unique buildings during the Revolutionary era, all of which are now gone. Hear about their occupants and life in revolutionary state capital of Exeter. You will also hear about the Tavern’s nearly 250 year history.

Your outdoor tour will last approximately 30 minutes and then you will explore the Tavern on a self-guided tour.

Interested in arranging a private tour for your group or classroom? Email us at [email protected]!

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