by rob | Mar 29, 2016 | Beer for History
Live music and unique beer found nowhere else in New England—if not the world—will highlight the American Independence Museum’s inaugural “Beer for History” series, which kicks off on May 19 in Exeter, NH.
Neighborhood Beer Co., D.L. Geary Brewing Company and 7th Settlement will headline Beer for History. According to Museum Operation Manager Rob Levey, each brewer has agreed “to do something special” for the series, which continues on June 23 with a Tavern Night theme and October 20 with a Fall Harvest theme. The opening event in May will help celebrate the Museum’s 2016 season, which begins on May 3.
“Each brewer is going to go back into history and brew something special for us based on recipes that in some cases could be more than 400 years old,” Levey said. “If you like craft brews, then Beer for History is going to be your ticket of choice this year.”
The brewers are also thrilled at the innovative Beer for History series, as Neighborhood Beer Co.’s Mike O’Donnell added, “We are Exeter’s only brewer and we are very excited to be part of this series.”
Noting they are based in Portland, Maine, Geary’s Rick St. Peter said he believes “a love of history and great beer go hand in hand with one another.” “This is going to be a unique series of beer events,” he said.
Nate Sephton, brewer at 7th Settlement in Dover and resident of Exeter for the past 13 years, said he eagerly anticipates the series, which he said helps celebrate “the great history of the town and Seacoast area.”
“I am looking forward to learning more about the grain and beer colonial history and creating some great brews and supporting the Museum,” he added.
In addition to beer, the series will feature live music and food prepared by local businesses, including 3 Brothers Marketplace in Exeter. Tickets for each event in the series will be $30 and include food, samplings of beer, games for kids, and more. Members of the Museum may purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $25.
Proceeds from Beer for History will support the Museum’s efforts to preserve its collection, including an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, handwritten letters by George Washington and other rare artifacts. Proceeds will also support the Museum’s educational programs, which serve more than 1,600 children annually from across the state.
To buy tickets for an individual event or for the entire series at a discounted rate, visit www.independencemuseum.org/beer.
by rob | Mar 24, 2016 | Partnerships
AutoFair has donated $2,500 to the American Independence Museum (AIM), a gift that will contribute to free admission for active and retired military, veterans and family members in 2016.
“We are honored to support the American Independence Museum and the veterans that gave so much for our country,” said AutoFair’s Andy Crews. “Their free admission is a small token of our appreciation for all that they have done and continue to do.”
Noting this is the second year in a row that AutoFair has supported free admission for military, veterans and their families, Museum Executive Director Julie Williams referred to the gift as “incredible.”
“The Museum was founded with the help of the Society of the Cincinnati, the nation’s oldest veteran’s organization, so this gift connects us with our past and advances us to a brighter future,” she said. “This gift will enable us to welcome those into the Museum whose efforts actively contribute to our freedoms as Americans.”
Comprised of 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.”
To learn more about the Museum, including its summer programs and Beer for History Festivals, visit www.independencemuseum.org. To learn more about The Trail, visit www.nhmuseumtrail.org.
-the end-
by rob | Mar 15, 2016 | Grants
In support of the 26th American Independence Festival on July 16 in Exeter, the American Independence Museum has been awarded $1,800 from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Celebrating the rich history and tradition of Exeter, which served as capital of NH during the Revolutionary War, the Festival has become well known for its colonial demonstrations.
“With continued funding from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, our colonial artisans village has become a Festival highlight every year,” said Museum Executive Director Julie Williams. “We greatly appreciate their belief in our Festival and its unique role in promoting traditional arts.”
Ginnie Lupi, director at the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, said they are proud to support the American Independence Festival.
“The Festival and its Artisan Village engage residents and visitors with traditional arts and history, contribute to the Seacoast region’s reputation as a cultural hub, and strengthen the economy by bringing people to downtown Exeter,” she said.
Featuring historic battle re-enactments, children’s activities, crafts, live music, food from local vendors and more, the Festival annually attracts more than 4,000 people, many of whom come from as far as Boston.
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.”
To learn more about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.
by rob | Mar 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
“As part of its 5-year strategic plan, the American Independence Museum (AIM) in Exeter is becoming more involved in the region’s business community, which recently resulted in a new partnership with RiverWoods.
A nationally-accredited, charitable non-profit organization that owns and operates three self-contained, life care communities, RiverWoods has invested $1,000 to support AIM programming and artifact preservation activities in 2016. Justine Vogel, president and CEO of RiverWoods, described the partnership as “a good fit on many different levels.”
“In addition to our joint interest in strengthening and celebrating the Exeter community, both organizations have a prolific history, and we both celebrate and promote ‘Independence’ in stunning and profound ways,” she said.
Rob Levey, operations manager at AIM, said he looks forward to cultivating the relationship in the coming months.
“This is a situation where we both benefit tremendously,” he noted. “We are able to reinvest their financial contribution into areas critical to our mission, while many of their residents will be able to visit the Museum at no charge this year. RiverWoods enhances our infrastructure and we help to enhance the lives of their residents—it is the proverbial win-win.”
To learn more about RiverWoods, visit www.riverwoodsrc.org.
