Free - American Independence Museum

Traveling Trunk Looking for a Lift in 2022/23 School Year

by jen | May 11, 2022 | For Kids, Free, Partnerships

Logging 18,350 miles and educating 520 secondary students throughout the U.S. in 2021, the Traveling Trunk program has been an educational staple at the American Independence Museum since 2016. Registration for the program for the 2022/23 school year opened on May 1.

Shipped throughout the U.S., the trunk contains 70+ high quality reproduction items that range from clothing to replica personal care items and games. Hands-on learning, noted Program Manager Sarah Jaworski, is the intent behind the program, which is offered at no charge to schools.

“Teachers are provided with suggestions and ideas on activities to go along with the curriculum,” she said.

While aimed toward students in the 3rd through 5th grade, the program’s curriculum is flexible and can be customized for all grade levels. Developed with initial seed funding from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the program relies on corporate funding to pay for associated shipping costs and replacement of replica educational items.

The only caveat with the upcoming school year, however, is the museum is currently looking for corporate support. “Shipping is the biggest expense along with the extra time needed to prepare a trunk to travel,” said Museum Executive Director Emma Stratton, who estimated the program’s annual costs at $5,000.

As for the benefits of sponsoring the trunk—either monthly or for an entire school year—Stratton said the program is unique in that it provides insight into New Hampshire’s colonial history. “This is a chance for students to learn more about not just New Hampshire, but Exeter’s status and role during the years leading up to and after the Revolutionary War.”

To learn more about the Traveling Trunk, including sponsorship opportunities, email Jaworski at [email protected], or 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’.

Questioning “Does Truth Matter?” with the American Independence Museum

by jen | Mar 5, 2022 | Events, For Adults, Free, Human Interest

The American Independence Museum is pleased to announce the first virtual Tavern Talk of 2022 on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. featuring guest speaker Dr. Joshua Tepley presenting “Does Truth Matter?” Tepley is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at St. Anselm College, whose research interests include concepts of free will and personal identity, as well as the intersection of philosophy with science fiction and pop culture. Tepley has supported the museum in the past as a program participant and presenter.

“This Tavern Talk will touch on the timeless concept of truth, questions that both past and present Granite State citizens grapple with,” said museum Program Manager Sarah Jaworski.

The coexistence of multiple truths and experiences ties directly to the American Independence Museum’s mission of sharing the diverse stories of New Hampshire during the American Revolution.

“Our work at the museum requires examining multiple perspectives to find out what happened in the past. We understand that no singular truth exists. We are delighted to have Dr. Tepley share his ideas on truth with us,” said museum Executive Director Emma Stratton.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their concepts of truth as Tepley leads the group in a thought-provoking community conversation.

Tavern Talks are also supported by a Humanities-To-Go grant from the NH Humanities Council.
Click here to register for the zoom presentation on Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m.

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.

Fireside Tavern Night at the American Independence Museum

by jen | 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.

RiverWoods Exeter to present concert with Theo Martey & The Akwaaba Ensemble

by jen | Jul 7, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly, For Adults, For Kids, Free

On Saturday, July 10 the American Independence Festival will cap off an exciting day with an outdoor concert featuring Theo Martey & The Akwaaba Ensemble, presented by RiverWoods Exeter.

Theophilus Nii Martey, originally from Ghana, is a master of West African drumming and dance. Martey founded the Akwaaba Ensemble in Manchester, NH. Their energetic and engaging performances are a reflection of their name, which means ‘welcome’ in the Twi language of Ghana. The Ensemble’s music evokes the life and culture of their West African ancestors, who were among those living free and enslaved in New Hampshire during the Revolutionary era.

This outdoor concert takes place from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and is free of charge thanks to generous support from RiverWoods Exeter. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and picnics.

“The RiverWoods Exeter community is more than just a local business, we are neighbors!” said RiverWoods Exeter Executive Director, Deb Riddell. “Our residents and staff are big fans of the Exeter area and eager supporters whenever and wherever possible. We’re excited to be able to sponsor this concert, allowing it to be a free community event.”

Celebrating the arrival of the Declaration of Independence in Exeter on July 16, 1776, the American Independence Festival features a variety of entertainment, including music, military demonstrations, traditional artisan working village, and more. Sponsored by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, this year’s festival includes in-person events spanning the month of July.

To learn more, or purchase tickets, visit independencemuseum.org.

For more information about RiverWoods Exeter, part of the largest family of non-profit Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Northern New England, visit RiverWoodsExeter.org.

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.

Service Credit Union invests $5,000 in support for Traveling Trunk program

by jen | May 13, 2021 | For Kids, Free, Living History

Recently, Service Credit Union renewed their long standing partnership with the American Independence Museum with an investment of $5,000 to support its Traveling Trunk program. This program delivers experiential learning opportunities into the classroom. Expected to travel more than 17,000 miles in 2022, school districts throughout the United States will continue to have access to the program at no cost.

Minnesota, California, and Pennsylvania are just some of the stops for next year’s Traveling Trunk program, which uses 70+ high quality replica items and colonial history curriculum to engage students of varying ages.

“The trunk gave students a new perspective as to what life was like for the colonists. Students explored clothing replicas from the 1700s. Also, students reenacted the signing of the Declaration of Independence with other artifacts from the trunk. Thank you for making our American Revolution Unit more engaging!” said Hannah Evans, a middle school Social Studies teacher from New Oxford, Pennsylvania who received the trunk in 2020.

The investment marks the fifth year Service Credit Union has financially contributed to the program.

“The credit union has enjoyed being a part of the more than 19,000 miles this exhibit traveled last year, and is excited to continue supporting the traveling trunk this year as it supplies interactive and unique learning opportunities to classrooms near and far.” said Wendy Beswick, VP of Marketing at Service Credit Union

In addition to continued financial support from Service Credit Union, the Traveling Trunk program was made possible with initial seed funding from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

To learn more about the Traveling Trunk program, or to book it for your classroom or library, visit independencemuseum.org.

About Service Credit Union
Service Credit Union is dedicated to providing a banking experience that improves members’ lives, as well as the communities in which they live. SCU serves members all over the world, including in-person service at 50 branch locations in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Germany. For more information, visit https://servicecu.org.

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.

American Independence Museum to virtually host Uprooted: Heartache and Hope in New Hampshire

by jen | May 11, 2021 | Events, For Adults, Free, Lectures

On Thursday, May 20, the American Independence Museum will host a virtual screening of the film Uprooted: Heartache and Hope in New Hampshire from 6 to 7 p.m.

Uprooted is a 30-minute documentary based on interviews collected during New Hampshire Humanities’ Fences & Neighbors initiative on immigration.

Telling the story of five refugees who resettled in New Hampshire after leaving war-torn countries, the film examines what it means to be a refugee and how these five individuals made new lives for themselves in a strange place, separated from their families and often without communities, English language skills, or jobs.

These stories of the challenges faced by newcomers to New Hampshire echo the stories of those who crossed the Atlantic seeking new lives during the colonial period: religious persecution, personal freedoms, government oppression, and the promise of opportunity.

“We hope to engage our Museum communities in discussions of belonging and citizenship. Uprooted highlights immigrant experiences and asks us to critically think about and understand the American struggle for freedom,” said Program Assistant, Emma Scheinmann.

The screening, which will take place on Zoom, will include a post-film discussion led by Dr. Sara Withers, the project director and a Senior Lecturer at University of New Hampshire. Dr. Withers is a Cultural Anthropologist studying the lives and experiences of refugees in the Granite State.

This event is sponsored by New Hampshire Humanities’s Humanities to Go Program, which offers over 500 high-quality cultural programs that are free and open to the public.

Registration is required for this free program, which takes place on Thursday, May 20 from 6 to 7 p.m.

To register for this virtual tavern talk, visit independencemuseum.org.

Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum is currently developing a variety of public and education programs in digital formats to encourage digital inclusion for all ages.

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.