by rob | Oct 17, 2017 | Events
A family-friendly event, Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about some of Exeter’s most famous residents from the colonial period with emphasis on the Folsom and Gilman families. Taking place at Winter Street Cemetery on Saturday, October 21 at the intersection of Winter Street, Front Street [Rt.111] and Railroad Avenue in Exeter, the event will feature costumed re-enactors.
“You will meet a sailor, tavern owners and more,” said Victoria Su, event manager at the museum. “It’s informative and fun—and all the re-enactor ‘ghosts’ will share details of their lives in and around Exeter in the 1700s. “You can ask them questions and chat with them. It’s a very unique experience.”
According to Su, 45-minute tours will take place at 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm. The cost is $10.00 for non-members, $7.00 for non-member children, ages 6-18. Members are $5.00 and $3.00 members’ children, ages 6-18. All children under the age of 6 are free.
A new twist to this year’s event is that admission to Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery also provides access to the museum’s Ladd-Gilman House at One Governor’s Lane in Exeter.
To purchase tickets online, visit www.independencemuseum.org. For more information, call (603) 772-2622, or email or [email protected].
by rob | Oct 10, 2017 | Beer for History
On Thursday, October 12, the American Independence Museum will host its last Beer for History event in 2017 at Folsom Tavern on Water Street in Exeter.
Sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, the event represents an ambitious collaboration between the museum and many brewers since the series began in 2016.
“Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts made this possible with financial support and their belief in our mission, while brewers have donated beer, time and resources—it’s a wonderful collaboration,” said museum Executive Director Emma Bray.
Some of the brewers that have been involved in Beer for History include Neighborhood Beer Co., 7th Settlement Brewery, Moat Mountain Brewing Co., and D.L. Geary Brewing Co. At this last Beer for History, Earth Eagle Brewings from Portsmouth will be featured.
“Brewers have a passion for history and honoring their roots,” noted Bray. “Beer and history are interconnected.”
In addition to craft beer, attendees can enjoy colonial games, music and light snacks in a restored tavern that was built in 1775.
“Folsom Tavern was at the very heart of Exeter’s political and community scene in the 1770’s,” said Bray. “This is a chance to experience the place in a way that directly connects people with America’s colonial past.
Held at the museum’s Folsom Tavern at 164 Water Street in Exeter, Beer for History will take place on Thursday, October 12 from 6 pm to 8 pm with tickets priced at $20 for nonmembers and $15 for members. Admission includes beer, hors d’oeuvres, games, and more. Families are welcome.
Tickets are available online and at the door. To buy tickets or learn more, visit https://www.independencemuseum.org/AIMstaging/beer-for-history.
by rob | Oct 5, 2017 | Programming
On Saturday, October 14, the American Independence Museum will host a genealogy workshop entitled, “Writing Your Family History: Taking the First Step.”
The workshop will be presented Penny Stratton, a veteran of the book publishing industry who retired as publications director of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in June of 2016. Among the more than 65 titles she managed at NEHGS are The Great Migration Directory, Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research, and the award-winning Descendants of Judge John Lowell of Newburyport, Massachusetts.
At “Writing Your Family History: Taking the First Step,” Stratton will assist individuals interested in tracing their roots or those who have already begun a project. The informative presentation will be followed by time for questions, advice, and expert support.
The workshop will take place on Saturday, October 14 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. The fee is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Attendees are encouraged to bring their projects and laptops with them, as workshop time will be provided at the end of the session.
Founded in 1991, the nonprofit American Independence Museum features living history exhibits and a vast collection, including one of 26 surviving copies of the Declaration of Independence, two rare drafts of the U.S. Constitution, and handwritten letters by General George Washington. One of the museum’s areas of focus include shedding light on the Folsom, Ladd and Gilman families, each of whom played leading roles in Exeter and New Hampshire colonial history.
The Museum is owned by the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire, the nation’s oldest veterans’ organization that traces its membership lineage to the Revolutionary War.
by rob | Oct 3, 2017 | Beer for History
On Thursday, October 12 at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern, the last Beer for History in 2017 will take place with Portsmouth-based Earth Eagle Brewings as the featured brewer. Combining craft brews and colonial games the second annual seasonal event series seeks to inspire a new generation of lovers of history.
“We want to engage people in what we do here and show that history can be fun” said museum Executive Director Emma Bray. “I think we have done that with Beer for History, which has attracted people of all ages, including some younger folks—Folsom Tavern is a beautiful and historic backdrop for any event.”
Since the first Beer for History took place in May of 2016, the series has been sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law.
“They appreciate the history of the tavern and our museum,” she said. “They want to see downtown Exeter thrive—and with more art, music and culinary options all within a 5-minute walk of our property, we believe we are part of an emerging cultural scene here.”
Sue Desjardins, president of the Board of Governors at the museum, referred to their Folsom Tavern as one of the town’s “original gathering places.” She cited George Washington’s stop at the Tavern in the late 1700’s as one example of Exeter’s rich history.
“The fact that we have one of the original gathering places right here in Exeter, which today serves beer brewed by our very generous local craft beer makers—well, that’s pretty special,” she said.
Expressing appreciation for the continued support of Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, Bray said she hopes this last Beer for History encourages newcomers.
“This is a warm and welcoming place—we want to share our shared history with everyone while at the same time foster meaningful partnerships with local businesses,” she said. “This is your last chance to check out Beer for History this year.”
Held at the museum’s Folsom Tavern at 164 Water Street in Exeter, Beer for History will take place on Thursday, October 12 from 6 pm to 8 pm with tickets priced at $20 for nonmembers and $15 for members. Admission includes beer, hors d’oeuvres, games, and more. Families are welcome.
Tickets are available online and at the door.
by rob | Sep 26, 2017 | Partnerships
While the specific dollar amount of a corporation’s philanthropic investment is often highlighted in the media, what is often lost are the connections between supporters and a nonprofit institution.
“Many of our business partners truly care about the museum and its mission,” said Emma Bray, executive director at the American Independence Museum in Exeter. “They contribute financially, but the most meaningful aspect is the partnership itself. They attend events, they talk about us, they engage others in our work—every nonprofit benefits tremendously from such involvement.”
A longtime supporter of the museum, Donna Buxton, owner of Buxton Oil and Buxton Water, said she “loves the museum.” She referred to it as “the hidden gem of New Hampshire.”
“People don’t know about this place, but we are lucky to have it right here in Exeter,” she said. “There is so much history throughout New Hampshire and so much beauty—and it all starts right here in Exeter.”
Founded in 1991, the American Independence Museum features Folsom Tavern and the Ladd-Gilman House, which served as NH’s State Treasury and the Governor’s Mansion in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Home to a world-class collection, including an original and rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, the museum welcomes more than 5,500 visitors annually.
For Buxton, her personal concern for the museum has led to years’ worth of volunteering, which in turn has encouraged her kids to become involved.
“My daughter worked inside the Ladd-Gilman House at the American Independence Festival this summer,” she said. “She is going to college to become a police officer and she learned about the Purple Heart here—she was amazed that we had something like that at the museum.”
Expressing gratitude at the longstanding support provided by Buxton through the years, Bray said many visitors are also surprised at the museum’s collection and role in NH history.
“The Ladd-Gilman House was home to the state’s first governor, George Washington visited our Folsom Tavern, Exeter itself served a pivotal role during the Revolutionary War—our collection tells this story,” she said.
In expressing her excitement about the museum, Buxton said she believes the Seacoast—and Exeter in particular—is a region poised for growth.
“You have history here and natural beauty,” she remarked. “It’s also safe. You can have your kids ride their bikes into downtown Exeter and get an ice cream cone and feel comfortable—that’s saying a lot.”
