In 2023, the American Independence Museum (AIM) is enhancing its program and event offerings to attract and engage a wider audience, an effort exemplified in recently hiring Alena Shellenbean as Events and Marketing Manager. “One of my goals is to bring AIM to so many more folks that would enjoy it,” she said.
Noting she plans to develop “a robust marketing program,” Shellenbean said her primary focus will be on how to enhance AIM’s events. “I want to help create events that ask important questions and bring to life important stories about the formation of our country.”
AIM’s biggest event is its American Independence Festival, which happens this year on Saturday, July 15. “Exeter is such an amazing community. I look forward to all the partnerships that make the Festival a town-wide celebration.”
One of these partnerships is with the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, which presents the Festival’s Traditional Artisan Village. Held on AIM grounds with more than a dozen Traditional Artisans and Folklife Reenactors, the Village is an element of the Festival with which Shellenbean is particularly acquainted.
“My prior event experience was running events at Strawbery Banke Museum for 7 years and being production manager and stage manager at various Renaissance Faires for the past 15 years,” she explained.
Shellenbean also boasts 25 years experience in reenacting and living history experience herself. “I’ve been dressing in the clothes, performing the skills, and teaching visitors about life in various eras of history,” she said.
She also operates Tentsmiths, makers of historical canvas tents, with her partner. “I have spent the last three years bringing the business into the 21st century,” said Shellenbean, who bought Tentsmiths 3 years ago. “I created an e-commerce website so customers can order online, set up manufacturing software to reduce error, and updated all social media.”
Citing her partner will continue to run the business now that she is back in the “museum world,” Shellenbean expressed enthusiasm for her role at AIM. “I am excited to be here with the opportunity to use all my skills at such a worthy institution,” she said.
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’.