With a strong lineup of school and summer camp programs for 2017, the American Independence Museum will soon offer its first program for pre-school age children, Revolutionary Story Time.
The program will take place from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Museum’s historic Folsom Tavern beginning on Thursday, May 4. The program will continue on the first Thursday of each month in June, September, October and November on the dates of June 1, September 7, October 5, and November 2, respectively.
Events Manager Victoria Su said the museum is excited to invite “our youngest citizens” for this educational program.
“We will be sharing age appropriate books, music, and crafts about the founding of our Nation as a way to foster a love of reading, history, and civic engagement in our next generation,” she said. “Colonial Re-enactor and musician Mike Welch will lead the groups and bring some music to the program, too—it will be a lot of fun.”
The Museum opens for the 2017 season on Tuesday, May 2 and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm through December 1.
Reservations are required for this program and donations are encouraged. All proceeds will benefit the museum. For more information, or to register for Revolutionary Story Time, email [email protected]. Due to the historic nature of the tavern, strollers are not allowed.
Opening on May 2 followed by an Opening Celebration on Saturday, May 6 with free admission for NH residents, the American Independence Museum in Exeter, NH has been hard at work developing a host of new exhibits for 2017.
One new exhibit, entitled “Propaganda,” will take visitors on a journey from Colonial times to the present day. Its purpose will be to illustrate the widespread use of propaganda across multiple sectors of society from as far back as the 1770’s, although its roots may be traced to the ancient world.
“The exhibit will show the evolution of propaganda until the present day—there are a lot of similarities between Colonial American and today,” said Rachel Passannante, collections and visitor services manager. “We are very excited about it.”
Presented by Optima Bank & Trust, another new exhibit will highlight 10 key items in the Museum’s collection that have not previously been viewable by the public given concerns related to their preservation. The new exhibit is made possible by a grant from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, which awarded the Museum $6,000 to purchase two sealed microclimate cases.
“This exhibit will include handwritten letters by George Washington and a bookplate that was in his possession,” added Passannante. “These are among some of the most prized items in our collection.”
According to Executive Director Emma Bray, the new exhibits underscore the Museum’s emphasis on relevancy in 2017.
“Learning history can be engaging and fun—these are not mutually exclusive goals,” she said.
Held in conjunction with Exeter Kids’ Fest, the Museum’s Opening Celebration will feature Colonial re-enactors and period appropriate lawn games, weather permitting.
“It’s going to be a great chance to see what’s happening here this year,” Bray added. “Even if you have been here before, there are a lot of changes we hope will excite you.”
Founded in 1991, the American Independence Museum is located in Exeter, which served as New Hampshire’s capital during the Revolutionary War. Home to a world-class collection, including an extremely rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Museum welcomes more than 5,500 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.
The Museum opens for the 2017 season on Tuesday, May 2 and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm through December 1.
Making history relevant and fun, last year’s summer programs for kids proved quite popular at the American Independence Museum in Exeter, which has staff excited now that registration for this year’s programs is open.
The Museum’s summer programs include Colonial Living History, in which children, ages 8 to 11, will assume the role of real 18th century Exeter residents. The Muster Day Program will engage children (ages 8 to 11) with history for one day and provide them with the opportunity to set up colonial tents and camps as well as learn to muster with a real “Militiaman.”
New to last year’s summer offerings, the Junior Historian Program will provide older children (ages 10 to 13) with the opportunity to visit local museums and galleries in addition to participation in hands-on demonstrations in archaeology, collections management and genealogy.
“There are more ways to learn about history than just from a textbook,” said Education Manager Abigail Pietrantonio. “We want to teach children about how they can analyze things like objects, documents, buildings and more to learn about not only the distant past, but perhaps their own history as well.”
The summer programs complement the recently launched Traveling Trunk program in which the Museum can be brought directly into the classroom. Based around several possible lesson plans for teachers to use, the program is funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Complete with replica period clothing, toys, historical artifacts, and more, each of the Museum’s two trunks will feature more than 70 items.
“Through our various programs, children can find the ways in which history speaks best to them—whether through dressing in 18th century clothing to learning about their own genealogy,” said Pietrantonio. “We want to engage visitors of all ages and make learning fun…There truly is something for everyone here.”
Educating nearly 1,600 students of varying ages in 2016, the American Independence Museum is beefing up its educational offerings with the recently launched ‘Traveling Trunk’ program. Based around several possible lesson plans for teachers to use, the program is funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Complete with replica period clothing, toys, historical artifacts, and more, each of the Museum’s two trunks will feature more than 70 items. The goal of the program is to help children better understand the importance of the Revolutionary War and its direct relationship to Americans today.
“While the curriculum is designed with middle school students in mind, teachers can easily adapt it to fit younger or older students,” said Education Manager Abigail Pietrantonio.”
Expressing hope that she can also teach in the classroom, Pietrantonio said she looks forward to helping make history relevant for today’s students. “Historical knowledge is important for today’s student,” she added.
According to the Museum’s Rob Levey, the key now is to engage corporate sponsors.
“We know school budgets are tight—and for a very nominal investment by sponsors, we can deliver a unique educational experience for students across the state,” he said. “Abby has done a remarkable job researching and developing the curriculum.”
According to Pietrantonio, she has already received numerous calls from teachers about the program.
“There is certainly interest in it,” she added. “With support, I know we can get this program into the classroom and provide an educational experience that is fun and unique.”
The last visitors have made their way through the rooms at the American Independence Museum this year with last week’s Holiday Celebration serving as the capstone event for 2016. This year, more than two dozen corporate sponsors supported the operations at the Museum. Major sponsors included Two International Group, AutoFair, Geico Service Credit Union, Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law and Ruffner Real Estate.
“These organizations and so many others have played a vital role in our continued efforts to sustainably care for our collection and develop innovative programs for kids through our school programs,” said Museum Executive Director Julie Williams.
Citing substantial costs associated with caring for its collection, Williams said 2017 represents a “watershed year” for its operations.
“To ensure our sustainability and value to the surrounding communities, we are looking to expand our community outreach and deliver outstanding educational programming,” she said.
“We are also working with grant funders and other partners to develop a sustainability plan whereby we can modify the internal environment within which our collection is housed,” she said. “We have a responsibility to make sure the items in our possession may be enjoyed for generations to come.”
She cited the Museum’s recent Holiday Celebration as anecdotal evidence that Exeter and the surrounding towns see value in its operations and role as a hub for the larger Seacoast community.
“We had more than 200 visitors, which pushed our attendance for the year to over 5,000 people,” said Williams, who said Neighborhood Beer Co.’s continued support made a difference, too.
“People love those guys and their beer, which makes it so much fun to collaborate,” she added. “In total, we raised nearly $3,000—it was a huge night for us.”
Comprising the Ladd-Gilman House (c.1721) and Folsom Tavern (c.1775) on more than one acre of landscaped property, the Museum hosts public and educational programs and lectures, colonial artisan demonstrations, guided tours, and special events. The Museum is also part of the “Experience New Hampshire Heritage: The Portsmouth to Plymouth Museum Trail.”
The program will take place from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Museum’s historic Folsom Tavern beginning on Thursday, May 4. The program will continue on the first Thursday of each month in June, September, October and November on the dates of June 1, September 7, October 5, and November 2, respectively.