Discover the Famous and Infamous Residents of Exeter’s Winter Street Cemetery with the American Independence Museum

Discover the Famous and Infamous Residents of Exeter’s Winter Street Cemetery with the American Independence Museum

by | Oct 12, 2022 | Events, For Adults, Human Interest

On Saturday, October 22, the American Independence Museum will host Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery, a popular family-friendly event that takes visitors on a tour through Exeter’s history.

“Our colonial guide meets you at Winter Street Cemetery and walks you through it while showing you the graves of some of Exeter’s most famous and infamous revolutionary residents,” said the museum’s Sarah Jaworski.

Primarily used from the 1740’s to 1870’s, Winter Street Cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent members of Exeter, including governors, pioneering business women, Revolutionary and Civil War veterans, politicians and others.

Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery takes place every 30 minutes, 4:00 p.m. through 5:30 p.m., at Winter Street Cemetery on Saturday, October 22. There is a 3 p.m. tour designed especially for families with elementary school aged children, who are invited to wear their Halloween costume while discovering stories of the past.

All tours will last approximately 45 minutes with guests encouraged to bring flashlights for the last two tours. The cost is $10 for non-members and $7 for non-member children, ages 6-18. Members are $5 and members’ children, ages 6-18, are $3. All children under 6 are free. To purchase tickets, click here.

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’.

Earth Eagle Returns to Beer for History

Earth Eagle Returns to Beer for History

by | Oct 11, 2022 | Beer for History, For Adults, Human Interest

Held on the grounds of the American Independence Museum at Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) in Exeter, Beer for History provides history lovers and beer aficionados with the opportunity to sample brews from across New Hampshire. Scheduled to next take place on Thursday, October 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Earth Eagle Brewings is the next featured brewer.

“They have been here several times, so we are excited they can visit with us again,” noted Museum Executive Director Jennifer Carr.

Established in Portsmouth in 2012, Earth Eagle Brewings also features Earth Eagle North in Somersworth, a location that is now their primary brewing facility. At Beer for History, Earth Eagle Brewings will bring several varieties of beer, highlighted by their best-seller, New England Gangsta’, a West Coast style IPA with Pacific NW hops.

Other beers for which Earth Eagle Brewings has become well-known include Armadillo Danger (a single-hopped American pale featuring Amarillo hops), Piscataqua (an American corn lager), Circling Birds (a double-dry hopped DIPA), and Birds from Mars (a tropical IPA).

“If you love craft beer and beautifully restored historic taverns, you’ll love Beer for History,” added Carr, who said musician Artty Francoeur will also perform. “He plays the harmonica and guitar, and he sings, too, so he is a wonderful addition to the evening’s festivities.”

Presented by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, Beer for History is family-friendly and features the Foy Family Children’s Library within Folsom Tavern. A space filled with curated books for kids that focus on 18th century life and a reading nook with comfortable seating, the Library additionally features a dress-up area with Revolutionary-era clothing, play kitchen, games, and more.

Beer for History with Earth Eagle Brewings takes place on Thursday, October 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. In addition to unique brews, Beer for History features colonial-inspired games, music, and light snacks. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members, while youth (under 21) are free.

Other remaining events in the series include UNH Brewing Science Laboratory (based in Durham) on November 3. To purchase tickets, or learn more about Beer for History, click here.

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’.

Beer for History to Feature Sap House Meadery

Beer for History to Feature Sap House Meadery

by | Sep 20, 2022 | Beer for History, For Adults, Human Interest

A craft meadery located between the Lakes Region and White Mountains of New Hampshire in Center Ossipee, Sap House Meadery will headline the next Beer for History at the American Independence Museum’s historic Folsom Tavern. Beer for History with Sap House Meadery takes place on Thursday, October 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Presented by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, the popular series generally features brewers that are not local to the greater Exeter or Seacoast regions. “It’s a chance to not just celebrate history, but provide adult guests with the opportunity to sample unique brews, wine, or mead in this case that may not available locally,” said the museum’s Jennifer Carr. “We are thrilled to introduce people to a world-class meadmaker in Sap House Meadery.”

Matt Trahan, co-founder of Sap House Meadery, said he is equally thrilled to join Beer for History for the first time and introduce people to mead, widely regarded as the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage. “Mead is made from honey and predates grape wine and beer—it goes back to the Egyptians over 7,000 years ago,” he explained.

Regarding what will be on tap, Trahan cited three “outstanding” meads, although he acknowledged My Hour of Darkness (15% ABV) may feature their most interesting backstory. “It’s a collaboration with Ft. Hamilton Distilling in New York where we aged our traditional mead for 18 months in their rye whiskey barrels,” he said. “It picks up all the good pepper notes of a rye, the sweet vanilla of the oak, and combines it with the richness of the honey.”

Noting it drinks like “a very easy going spirit,” Trahan said it has been their most popular release to date. It may also be of particular interest to fans, new and old, of the American Independence Museum.

“Ft. Hamilton Distilling is steeped in Revolutionary War history,” he said. “Their tagline of ‘Hearts of Oak’ references an Alexander Hamilton raid on Manhattan Island that resulted in the first US Artillery Battery being formed.”

In addition to My Hour of Darkness, Sap House Meadery is expected to bring Ready to Drum, a light, carbonated session mead flavored with strawberries, red currants, and blueberries. “It’s a great mead for hiking, boating, and generally being outside,” said Trahan. “Ready to Drum” comes from an old saying to describe berries so ripe that they make a drumming sound as they drop into a bucket. We found the line in an old Robert Frost poem.”

Sap House Meadery will also bring Sugar Maple, the first mead they ever made. “It’s both honey and maple syrup fermented together, which gives it a complex, smokey, and earthy note beyond the sweetness,” explained Trahan. “It’s great as an after-dinner sipper or mixed into a cocktail.”

Beer for History with Sap House Meadery takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6 at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. In addition to unique brews, Beer for History features colonial-inspired games, music, and light snacks. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members, while youth (under 21) are free.

Other remaining events in the series include Earth Eagle Brewings (Portsmouth) on October 20, and UNH Brewing Science Laboratory (Durham) on November 3. To purchase tickets, or learn more about Beer for History, visit independencemuseum.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’.

Brewers from across NH to Participate in Beer for History

Brewers from across NH to Participate in Beer for History

by | Sep 9, 2022 | Beer for History, Events, For Adults, Programming

A series of events begun more than 5 years ago to promote the importance of history education, the American Independence Museum’s Beer for History will feature brewers from across New Hampshire. Pipe Dream Brewing (Londonderry) starts the series on September 22 followed by Sap House Meadery (Center Ossipee) on October 6, Earth Eagle Brewings (Portsmouth) on October 20, and UNH Brewing Science Laboratory (Durham) on November 3.

“We are thrilled to have such an incredible lineup this year,” noted Jennifer Carr, Acting Executive Director of the museum.

In addition to featuring unique brews, most of which are not available locally in the greater Seacoast region, Beer for History features colonial-inspired games and music. The series, sponsored by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, takes place within Folsom Tavern (c. 1775), which once welcomed George Washington.

“Kids can play outside on our spacious lawn and enjoy the beginning of fall in beautiful and historic downtown Exeter,” added Carr.

Beer for History events takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 22 at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members, while youth (under 21) are free.

Ticket prices include beer (21+), entertainment and light snacks. To purchase tickets, or learn more about Beer for History, visit independencemuseum.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’.

Free Admission through Smithsonian Museum Day

Free Admission through Smithsonian Museum Day

by | Sep 6, 2022 | Family Friendly, For Adults, Free

On September 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention formally signed and adopted the United States Constitution. Nearly 250 years later, we celebrate this day as Constitution Day or Citizenship Day.

The American Independence Museum is thrilled to offer free admission to all on Saturday, September 17 through the Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day Program. Smithsonian Museum Day is a program where hundreds of museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free admission to individuals who have registered through the Smithsonian’s website.

“We are thrilled to once again participate in the Museum Day Program. Free admission on Constitution Day provides all guests with the opportunity to not only celebrate this important day in our nation’s history, but see our working drafts of the Constitution with handwritten notes that show how much thought and effort went into our creating our founding documents,” said Jennifer Carr, Curator and Acting Executive Director at the American Independence Museum. The museum collection includes two early drafts of the US Constitution. Visitors are encouraged to compare these two versions, written one month apart, and note the seemingly small yet impactful differences in language, such as the change from listing the thirteen original states by name to “We the People of the United States.”

To further commemorate the day, the museum will be putting on the final part of their Five Freedoms Family Saturdays, a civic educational program that explores the five freedoms outlined in the First Amendment with family-friendly activities geared toward younger children.

Program Manager Sarah Jaworski notes that, “it’s important that all future citizens, no matter how small, understand the nation’s founding documents. Through this program we want to celebrate that the US Constitution is a document by and for the people.”

To register for Smithsonian Museum Day and plan your visit, go to www.independencemuseum.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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