American Independence Museum to Host Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery

American Independence Museum to Host Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery

by | Oct 14, 2023 | Events, Family Friendly, Programming, Tours

On Saturday, October 21, the American Independence Museum will host Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery, an annual family-friendly event that takes visitors on a tour through Winter Street Cemetery in Exeter.

Led by a colonial tour guide, the tours provide insight into some of Exeter’s most famous and infamous revolutionary residents. 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. “It’s a wonderful and family-friendly way to spend a little bit of time learning about local history in this festive, Halloween-themed event,” said AIM’s Alena Shellenbean.

Held every 30 minutes from 4:00 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. with a family tour at 3:00 p.m., Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery takes place on Saturday, October 21. Tours are approximately 45 minutes, and guests are 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 $3 for members’ children, ages 6-18, are $3. All children under 6 are free. Family tours at 3:00 p.m. are $15 for a non-member family of four, while member families (up to four) are $10. Children are encouraged to dress for Halloween and will receive a special colonial treat. Ticket price includes a cemetery tour and a return pass to visit the museum. 

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About 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’.

von Trapp Brewing Kicks off Beer for History

von Trapp Brewing Kicks off Beer for History

by | Sep 18, 2023 | Beer for History, Events, Family Friendly, Partnerships, Programming

Based in Stowe, VT, von Trapp Brewing will kick off Beer for History on Thursday, October 5 at Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) on the campus of the American Independence Museum (AIM) in downtown Exeter, NH.

Presented by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, Beer for History is family-friendly and features music, trivia, and/or colonial tavern games with seating available both inside and outside the tavern. “It’s a wonderful way to experience history in a fun way that brings people of all ages together,” noted Jennifer Carr, AIM executive director.

Having previously participated in Beer for History on multiple occasions, von Trapp Brewing will pour three of their beers. These beers include Bohemian Pilsner, their award-winning interpretation of a Bohemian Style Pilsner, and Dunkel, the original dark lager of Munich and the first beer “style” born out of the German Beer Purity Law. von Trapp Brewing will also pour Stowe Style Festbier, their collaboration with Narragansett Brewing Company of Providence, Rhode Island, which represents the next offering in the Stowe Style series.

“We are thrilled to welcome von Trapp Brewing back to Beer for History,” added Carr. “Our shared love of history is what keeps our partnership going.”

Tickets for Beer for History events are $10, while youth (under 21) are free. Beer for History with von Trapp Brewing takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5 at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH.

Ticket prices include beer (21+), Escape Room, and light snacks. To purchase tickets, click the button below.

Buy Tickets

About 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’.

American Independence Museum to Host Constitution Comic Workshops

American Independence Museum to Host Constitution Comic Workshops

by | Sep 7, 2023 | Events, Family Friendly, Free, Programming, We Are One

On Saturday, September 16, the American Independence Museum (AIM) will host a series of free Constitution Comic Workshops designed for educators and families.

The workshops begin at 10:00 a.m. for educators where well-known NH-based cartoonist Marek Bennett will instruct participants on how to integrate the use of comic making into the classroom to explore primary sources. Educators will receive 1 CEU for attendance.

At 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., participants will instruct families and kids (ages 7+) on basic techniques of cartooning. “It will be fun and free,” said AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr.

The workshops represent AIM’s Building Community initiative, part of the museum’s ongoing We Are One campaign. “All voices, all perspectives matter, and everyone is welcome here—this is our core organizational message,” added Carr.

Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the American Independence Museum develops programs, events, and exhibits that honor and invite inclusive and diverse perspectives.

AIM’s Constitution Comic Workshops take place on Saturday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. for educators and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for families and children. Space is limited and pre-registration is encouraged.

Preregister

About 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’.

American Independence Museum To Host Escape Room Adventure

American Independence Museum To Host Escape Room Adventure

by | May 3, 2023 | Events, Family Friendly, For Adults, For Kids

On Saturday, May 20 and Friday, June 2, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to see if they can escape historic Folsom Tavern (1775) at the American Independence Museum (AIM).

At the event, “Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure,” participants must work together to decipher clues and solve puzzles within 30-minutes. “They may even learn a little history,” said AIM’s Alena Shellenbean, who developed the program. “We are excited to welcome people of all ages to our campus for a fun time.”

The event, according to AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr, is part of the museum’s Building Community initiative within its 3-year theme, We Are One. “This Escape Room Adventure is one response to our rhetorical question, ‘How do we bring the community together?’” she said.

Built in 1775, Folsom Tavern is host to special programs and events. Visitors may also take guided tours of Folsom Tavern, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Wednesday – Saturday. On these tours, visitors will learn the unique role of taverns in colonial and revolutionary history.

“Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure” will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2. Tickets range from $12 to $25 with 10% off for members.

Event Details

two women examine historical items in the tavern

Date: May 20, 2023
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH
Cost: $25 adults, $12 children, Members get a 10% discount
Capacity: 8 people per timeslot

Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure

Heart pumping history is coming to Folsom Tavern. This spring, AIM is introducing a new activity: “Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure.” Participants must work together to decipher clues, solve puzzles, and even learn a little history. Groups of up to 8 people are in for an hour of fun with some  learning thrown in. Preregistration is highly encouraged.

Purchase tickets here

Trouble in the Tavern takes place during TEAM (Town, Exeter, Arts, Music) spring Arts and Music fest. Please enjoy some live music, vendors, and artists, and then spend a delightful time in Historic Folsom Tavern with friends.

two women examine historical items in the tavern

Date: June 2, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH
Cost: $25 adults, $12 children, Members get a 10% discount
Capacity: 8 people per timeslot

Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure

Heart pumping history is coming to Folsom Tavern. This spring, AIM is introducing a new activity: “Trouble in the Tavern: An Escape Room Adventure.” Participants must work together to decipher clues, solve puzzles, and even learn a little history. Groups of up to 8 people are in for an hour of fun with some learning thrown in. Preregistration is highly encouraged.

Purchase Tickets Here

About 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’.

Colonial Reenactors, Traditional Artisans, and Beer Garden Highlight American Independence Festival

Colonial Reenactors, Traditional Artisans, and Beer Garden Highlight American Independence Festival

by | Jul 10, 2022 | Family Friendly, Festival, For Adults, For Kids, Living History, Programming

Featuring Colonial reenactors, Traditional Artisans Village, games, and Beer Garden next to an historic tavern (c. 1775), the American Independence Festival on Saturday, July 16 is expected to attract 1,000+ from across New England.

According to Jennifer Carr, interim Executive Director of the American Independence Museum, which presents the annual festival on its downtown Exeter, NH campus, its continued popularity and relevance stems from its unique subject matter. “There is a lot of curiosity about our nation’s formative years,” she said. “This event not only presents folklife from this time period, but interprets it through demonstrations by professional traditional artisans who practice colonial ways of creating things that shed light on our past and present.”

Within the Village, artisans demonstrate everything from ropemaking, spinning, coopering, and millinery, to tinsmithing and pottery, while others play instruments, including the clavichord, dulcimer, and harpsichord. Aside from the Village, presented by New Hampshire State Council of the Arts, visitors can tour the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721) within which an original copy of the Declaration of Independence may be viewed.

“We recreate the reading of the Declaration of Independence with a direct descendant of John Taylor Gilman, who read it to the townspeople in 1776,” added Carr. “At this year’s festival, visitors can also experience some of our new exhibits, which interpret Revolutionary-era events and culture from diverse perspectives.”

At the museum’s Folsom Tavern, kids can enjoy the newly opened Foy Family Children’s Library, which features a reading nook, curated books on 18th century life, Revolutionary-era dress-up, play kitchen, games, and more. Outside the tavern, adults (ages 21+) can enjoy craft brew from Cisco Brewers.

“We also feature discussions led by first-person reenactors who provide insight into Revolutionary America and ourselves today,” added Carr. “It’s a wonderful immersive experience.”

This immersive experience centered on New Hampshire’s collective Revolutionary past and present is what has attracted Newburyport Bank as a leading festival sponsor for several years. “This is such a unique event that helps visitors of all ages better understand and appreciate what it took to make a nation,” said Mercedes Monaco, business development manager, Newburyport Bank. “We are thrilled to support this year’s American Independence Festival. It is such an honor to be part of the Revolutionary Era legacy of Exeter.”

The 32nd American Independence Festival takes place on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 for kids (ages 4 to 18) and $10 for adults with admission free for kids under 4, museum members, and veterans and active military.

To learn more about the museum or purchase festival tickets in advance visit independencemuseum.org.

A child watches as a trained artisan decorates an unfired clay bowl using a specially cut sponge as a stamp

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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