Family Friendly - American Independence Museum

American Independence Festival Uses History To Teach People of All Ages

by ion | Jul 5, 2022 | Events, Family Friendly, Festival, Living History

History is not a term that merely describes the past, a theme that partly explains the popularity of the American Independence Museum’s upcoming American Independence Festival. Entering its 32nd year, the festival features first-person re-enactors and military demonstrations, all of which shed light on Revolutionary America and its connection to the present.

“History is not just a page in a book—history is all around us,” noted Jennifer Carr, interim executive director of the American Independence Museum. “Our annual festival brings history to life and helps to demonstrate how what happens in our past has direct connections to what takes place today.”

Generally attracting nearly 1,000 visitors to its one-acre campus located in the heart of downtown historic Exeter, the festival takes place this year on Saturday, July 16. Other festival highlights include a beer garden with Cisco Brewers and a Traditional Artisan Village presented by the New Hampshire State Council of the Arts.

For corporate sponsors, the festival represents an important community event. “Through reenactments and storytelling, the event preserves an incredibly important time in the history of our nation for both current and future generations,” said Bradford C. Paige, President and CEO of Kennebunk Savings.

In addition to Kennebunk Savings and New Hampshire State Council of the Arts, major sponsors include Newburyport Bank with additional support from RiverWoods Exeter, Cambridge Trust, and Cisco Brewers. “Sponsors of this event,” said Carr, “help us not only pay traditional artisans and Revolutionary reenactors, but to also put one of the only remaining original copies of the Declaration of Independence on display.”

While experienced as fun by visitors, Carr said the deeper mission behind the festival is “to get people thinking.” “We are a product of our past,” she said. “If we can inspire just a handful of people to rethink what they think they know about American history and, by extension, themselves, then we have been successful.”

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 festival and to purchase tickets, 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’.

Kids are Encouraged to Play in Foy Family Children’s Library

by ion | Jun 27, 2022 | Family Friendly, For Kids, Living History, Uncategorized

A project that began before the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, the Foy Family Children’s Library is now open at the American Independence Museum. Located in the museum’s Folsom Tavern (c. 1775), the library features a reading nook with comfortable seating, curated books that focus on 18th century life, dress-up area with Revolutionary-era clothing, play kitchen, games, and more.

“This is a child-friendly space where everything is touchable,” said the museum’s Program Manager Sarah Jaworski, who selected the books with Melissa Foy, a retired school media specialist.

Melissa and husband Jeff have long been supporters of the museum. Their financial gift made the library possible, an opportunity that “excites” them both.

“We want to see kids get in there and use it,” said Jeff, who has also supported the museum for years as co-owner of Foy Insurance. “I hope the space inspires kids to learn about history and make that part of their studies and the thing they are interested in at school.”

According to Jaworski, the newly transformed space provides a unique opportunity for kids and families.

“It’s a space where kids can be kids and be free to explore — this is a welcoming space where kids can learn through play,” she said. “The old adage, ‘Look, don’t touch,’ won’t apply here.”

The Foy Family Children’s Library is also part of the museum’s larger initiative to foster inclusion and diversity.

“We are talking with Twenty-One Senses, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing inclusion for children with invisible disabilities, to explore different uses of this space,” said Jaworski. “We want kids with sensory challenges to feel welcome here, so this is an important initiative that addresses real community needs.”

Interim Executive Director Jennifer Carr agrees and added, “We are committed to developing our entire museum campus into an open, inviting, inclusive place…and it starts with the kids.”

To learn more about the museum, 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’.

RiverWoods Exeter renews partnership with AIM

by ion | Jun 8, 2022 | Events, Family Friendly, Festival, Living History, Partnerships

RiverWoods Exeter, a nationally-accredited charitable not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, will sponsor the 32nd American Independence Festival on Saturday, July 16. Presented by the American Independence Museum, the festival features a Traditional Artisans Village, historic reenactors, activities, and the opportunity to view one of 26 remaining copies of an original print of the Declaration of Independence.

Regarding the sponsorship, Interim Executive Director Jennifer Carr referred to RiverWoods Exeter as “an integral part of this annual festival.” “They have been part of this festival for years, so it’s wonderful to have them contribute again to a celebration of our nation’s history and the Exeter community,” she said.

Referring to the festival as “one of the most unique and truly special summer celebrations offered on the Seacoast,” Deb Riddell, Executive Director of RiverWoods Exeter, said they are “thrilled” to again support it. She said supporting the festival stems from RiverWoods Exeter’s founders, two Seacoast area women who wove a commitment to the local community into the fabric of their founding principles

“RiverWoods Exeter is not just a business located within the borders of the town,” she explained. “We are a neighborhood of nearly 600 engaged citizens, many of whom are active in the local community and care deeply about the Town of Exeter. They volunteer locally in many capacities, and feel a sense of civic duty and pride about our town.”

According to Carr, inspiring civic duty is one of the primary objectives of the museum itself. “We want visitors of any age to walk away from the festival, or any event or program here, and consider more deeply their responsibility as citizens,” she said. “A democracy works better when its citizens are engaged.”

To learn more about the 32nd annual American Independence Festival, visit https://www.independencemuseum.org/AIMstaging/american-independence-festival/.

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’.

Fireside Tavern Night at the American Independence Museum

by ion | Nov 17, 2021 | Family Friendly, Free

On Thursday, December 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the American Independence Museum will host Fireside Tavern Night at Folsom Tavern (c. 1775).

Free for all ages, the event will feature colonial music, fireside cooking demonstrations, hot cider and refreshments, and opportunities to make simple crafts. Attendees will also be able to purchase items from the museum’s gift shop inside the tavern.

“We will also have local vendors selling handcrafted and carefully curated gifts,” said the museum’s Sarah Jaworski, who noted Folsom Tavern will also be decorated for the holidays. “It will be a very festive atmosphere.”

Fireside Tavern Night takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 2 both within and outside of Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring healthy non-perishable food and toiletry donations for St. Vincent dePaul. Masks are required inside.

Learn about six other great December events happening in NH

About the American Independence Museum
The American Independence Museum is a history museum in Exeter, NH that features a collection of 3,000 historic artifacts that shed light on the American Revolution. Many of our programs touch on civics and the fight for independence, while we incorporate inclusivity and diversity into the experiences we create on-site and in digital formats. We feature a variety of things to do for people of all ages, including festivals, an historic tavern, guided tours and our annual American Independence Festival.

AIM Encourages Shopping Local With Museum Store Sunday

by ion | Nov 12, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly

On Sunday, November 28, 2021, the American Independence Museum will be taking part in its second annual Museum Store Sunday. More than 1,650 museum stores representing 50 states, 24 countries, and five continents will offer inspired shopping at museums and cultural institutions during Museum Store Sunday. The museum joins museum stores worldwide in this signature annual initiative by offering unique gifts for the holiday season—with all purchases supporting its mission.

“Last year was the American Independence Museum’s first year participating in Museum Store Sunday. We were still closed because of the pandemic, but used this event as further encouragement to make our store available online,” said Executive Director Emma Stratton.

With a variety of products in the store this is the perfect time to stock up on holiday gifts for loved ones. Items range from history books, examining New Hampshire’s revolutionary past, to colonial-inspired children’s games, and hand-crafted goods made by local artisans. All items can be shipped, or are available for local pick-up the week of November 29.

“Thanks to our participation in Museum Store Sunday we had online customers shopping from multiple states and shipped more than we had ever before!”

Shoppers can look forward to Museum Store Sunday as the global annual day to Be a Patron – and shop conscientiously and support museum stores and their missions worldwide. While there is only one Museum Store Sunday each year, everyone is encouraged to Be a Patron of museums and museum stores all year round.
To participate, shop on independencemuseum.org this November 28.

About the American Independence Museum
The American Independence Museum is a history museum in Exeter, NH that features a collection of 3,000 historic artifacts that shed light on the American Revolution. Many of our programs touch on civics and the fight for independence, while we incorporate inclusivity and diversity into the experiences we create on-site and in digital formats. We feature a variety of things to do for people of all ages, including festivals, an historic tavern, guided tours and our annual American Independence Festival.

Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery Tours

by ion | Oct 10, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly, Programming, Tours

On Saturday, October 23, the American Independence Museum will host Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery, a popular family-friendly event that takes visitors on a tour through 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, 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 23. 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 and tasting a colonial treat.

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.

Ticket price includes the cemetery tour and a return pass to visit the museum. Click here to purchase tickets.

About the American Independence Museum
The American Independence Museum is a history museum in Exeter, NH that features a collection of 3,000 historic artifacts that shed light on the American Revolution. Many of our programs touch on civics and the fight for independence, while we incorporate inclusivity and diversity into the experiences we create on-site and in digital formats. We feature a variety of things to do for people of all ages, including festivals, an historic tavern, guided tours and our annual American Independence Festival.