Reprinted from Seacoast Media Online – August 2, 2017
EXETER — Gov. Chris Sununu was given a “welcome home” at the American Independence Museum on Wednesday afternoon, as the museum was once the governor’s mansion in the late 1700s when John Taylor Gilman held the esteemed position.
Sununu and members of the Executive Council received a personal tour of the museum and its grounds from Executive Director Emma Bray. The tour followed a breakfast meeting at the Hampton Beach Pavilion where the American Independence Museum and Society of the Cincinnati of New Hampshire were given proclamations of service from the state. The Society of the Cincinnati of New Hampshire, a nonprofit organization, founded the museum in 1991.
The state proclamation commended the American Independence Museum for “unwavering dedication to sharing New Hampshire’s heritage.”
“We’re really excited to have them all here,” said Bray, who has been the museum’s director since March. “Obviously not only as a small museum to host them, but one that has such a direct connection to the New Hampshire government, to governors, to how our state was founded. That’s such a strong connection. A lot of our mission is connecting the past to the present and that’s exactly what we’re doing for the governor and the Executive Council today, which is wonderful.”
Sununu and the Executive Council paid close attention to the Dunlap Broadside, one of the first-ever published copies of the Declaration of Independence in custody of the museum.
Bray shared the significance of the Gilman family and their deep connection to Granite State government. Sununu and Executive Council members ducked their heads in small doorways passing through each room housing colonial artifacts and documents.
To end the tour, Bray brought the group down to the Folsom Tavern. The museum will host ‘A Beer for History’ events in the tavern beginning this month, with a different local brewer showcased each time.
Sununu, a Newfields resident, said he’d been to the museum before with his children.
“I love it,” he said. “I’m a history nut.” Sununu noted his favorite historical figure is Paul Revere.
“The fact that George Washington ate here, the fact that these buildings are so well-cared for,” he said. “It’s still in incredible shape. You learn about the Treasury, you learn about the people, you can see the actual signatures of these individuals. In New Hampshire, you can really see it, touch it, feel it. In other parts of the country you hear about this stuff and see pictures in books, but here you can physically touch it. To be like, ‘This could very well be the table Washington was eating at,’ and you’re standing right next to it.”
Sununu said destinations of interest in the state like the American Independence Museum are something his administration is trying to highlight.
“We really try to put an emphasis on cultural resources,” Sununu said. “We’ve put our cultural and natural resources together. I’m a big believer in the term we use ‘the creative economy.’ It’s everything from artisans to our natural resources to the culture and rich history we have, and selling that. That’s our asset. That’s one of the things that makes New Hampshire so special. By going out and promoting it and selling it and letting people know things like this are right here in our backyard, it’s just a way to drive tourism, drive dollars into the economy and make an appreciation for what makes the ‘live free or die’ state so special.”
District 3 Executive Councilor Russell Prescott said it was his proposition to bring the traveling summer Executive Council meeting to the American Independence Museum.
“I’m honored to be here,” Prescott said. “It’s a chance to focus on the uniqueness of Exeter.” Prescott, who is a museum ambassador himself, grew up in Exeter, he said.
Prescott thanked Bray for her organization of the tour and taking the time to show the governor and Executive Council members the crucial state resource that is the museum.
Recently, our own Mike Welch provided some tips and analysis on all things related to re-enacting in our Lunch and Learn Series, which is presented by People’s United Bank, who share in our commitment to educating the community and providing enrichment opportunities for all. Thanks to EXTV for filming and sharing this lecture.
Education and community are very important to the American Independence Museum, which are values shared by People’s United Bank and the reason behind their recent $1,000 financial contribution to support its Educational Lecture Series.
Comprised of both “Lunch and Learn” and “Evening Tavern” Talks, the series features renowned historians and authors as they discuss unique topics that shed light on lesser known aspects of American history. The next talk in the free series (8/16) is “Collecting John Paul Jones: America’s First Action Hero,” presented by J. Dennis Robinson.
“Everyone knows his name, but few know the true story behind John Paul Jones,” said Events Manager Victoria Su. “What’s interesting is that America first rejected him, but then used his name and image to sell everything from whiskey and cigarettes and women’s clothing. His name and image were even used to recruit for the U.S. Navy.”
In commenting on why People’s United Bank elected to support the remaining lectures in the series, Marc Ouellette, Vice President and Senior Market Manager, cited their intent.
“Education is very important to us,” said Ouellette, who will provide prefatory remarks at each talk. “While our expertise is in financial education, education in its purest sense enhances a community and the lives of its residents…We believe in the museum and its overarching mission to inspire civic engagement.”
Expressing gratitude at the partnership with People’s United Bank, museum Executive Director Emma Bray said the series has been designed to engage people of all ages.
“These are short, informative, engaging talks,” she added. “We are really grateful to work with People’s United Bank to present the rest of this series.”
Remaining talks include: “When Shipping Was King: The Piscataqua Region in Colonial America” on September 21; “Secrets of the American Independence Museum: Collection Close-Up” on November 7; and “Your Most Important Role in a Democracy: Thinking for Yourself” on November 16.
Due to limited space, email [email protected] to pre-register for a seat. There is no cost to attend these lectures.
RiverWoods Exeter, a nationally-accredited charitable non-profit continuing care retirement community, recently renewed its partnership with the American Independence Museum (AIM) with a $1,000 financial contribution.
According to Ben French, Marketing Manager at RiverWoods Exeter, the partnership with AIM is “much more than a financial obligation.”
“It’s actually a very active partnership that engages our residents and staff to get involved in the greater Exeter community,” he said. “Like RiverWoods Exeter, the American Independence Museum embraces history in a way that makes it both current and sustainable.”
For French, though, the partnership is as much about the future as it is a celebration of history.
“What makes us stand out from the pack is the fact that we both as nonprofits are always looking to the future, leading the way, and expanding people’s perceptions beyond those of your typical retirement communities and museums,” he said.
Noting AIM staff are already working with RiverWoods Exeter to bring one of their Traveling Trunks and other programs to residents for an educational experience, Executive Director Emma Bray said they are exploring others ways to work with one another.
“We see a great deal of potential to enhance the lives of their residents through meaningful volunteer opportunities,” she said. “This is the proverbial win-win for both of us.”
As a partner with AIM in 2017, RiverWoods Exeter will also be involved in the upcoming American Independence Festival on July 15. At the Festival, they will team with Seacoast Family Promise (SFP), their charitable partner leading up to the 2018 RiverWoods Exeter Gala, to provide a unique experience for visitors of all ages at their space on Swasey Parkway.
“We are honored to work with them again in 2017 and welcome them to our Festival,” Bray added. “By working together as active partners, we can both benefit and better achieve our respective missions.”
With 7 locations across New Hampshire, including Exeter, Foy Insurance has invested $1,000 to support programming and artifact preservation activities at the American Independence Museum.
Jeff Foy (l) with Emma Bray
For Jeff Foy of Foy Insurance, his longstanding support of the museum reflects a lifelong love of history that dates back to childhood.
“I still read mostly non-fiction to this day because of my interest in history and particularly in American history,” he said. “I guess I look at history as part of who I am and thus I like to learn about it.”
Foy Insurance Group is a family-owned, independent insurance agency based in Exeter, NH with 10 branch offices in New Hampshire, Maine & Massachusetts. Foy Insurance and its predecessor insurance agency entities were founded in Exeter in 1893.
Citing Foy Insurance’s longstanding role in the community, Emma Bray, executive director at the museum, said Exeter is a unique place in which to explore “our nation’s past.”
“The artifacts in our museum represent just one facet to the unique colonial history of Exeter,” she said. “Foy Insurance has been part of this community for nearly 125 years—I am very thankful we can work together to celebrate and share this town’s history with others.”
Foy is equally enthused about the partnership and referred to the museum as akin to a hidden gem whose wisdom and secrets are meant to be shared.
“The resources at the museum are exceptional and one of a kind,” he said. “I enjoy the activities that it hosts and the people that attend.”
Foy said it was important to support the American Independence Museum, which was founded in Exeter in 1991. “Foy Insurance has been part of the Exeter community for many years and hopes to continue to be part of the community for many more years to come,” he said.
Sununu and members of the Executive Council received a personal tour of the museum and its grounds from Executive Director Emma Bray. The tour followed a breakfast meeting at the Hampton Beach Pavilion where the American Independence Museum and Society of the Cincinnati of New Hampshire were given proclamations of service from the state. The Society of the Cincinnati of New Hampshire, a nonprofit organization, founded the museum in 1991.