Living History - American Independence Museum

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

by jen | 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’.

American Independence Festival Uses History To Teach People of All Ages

by jen | 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 jen | 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’.

Mini-Camps explore being “Reflective Patriots”

by jen | Jun 24, 2022 | Events, For Kids, Living History

Welcoming campers back, the American Independence Museum is pleased to offer Thursday Mini-Camps for children ages 6-10.

Mini-Camp sessions will run Thursday July 14, 21, and 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the museum’s historic Folsom Tavern. During each session, campers will immerse themselves in hands-on 18th century life, uncovering the stories of the people who helped build our nation and how they can continue to be a part of America’s unfolding story.

Each mini-camp will focus on one of the following themes: freedom, compromise, and we the people. Campers will look at what freedom meant to different people living in colonial America, how these perspectives got involved in the fight, and how compromise between groups was reached in order to found the United States of America. Over the course of the summer, participants will get to dress in historic 18th-century clothing, try their hand at colonial crafts, see what revolutionary camp life was like, and create their own “printing press.”

Campers will uncover the stories of individuals who have the power to make change and keep America strong.

“We are so excited to offer summer programming that is fun and engaging where campers won’t even realize they are participating in civics lessons. Our campers will come away from the experience feeling empowered and excited to be active members of their communities,” said Program Manager Sarah Jaworski.

To register for Thursday Mini-Camps or 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 jen | 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’.

Newburyport Bank sponsors overnight Family Camp Out

by jen | Jul 19, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly, Festival, Living History, Programming

The final event of the 2021 American Independence Festival, the Family Camp Out, is made possible thanks to Newburyport Bank.

The Family Camp Out will begin on Saturday, July 24 at 7 p.m. and extend overnight until 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 25. The Acton Minutemen, a patriot reenactment group, will accompany families overnight and lead various family friendly activities.

Event highlights will include a lantern tour of the Folsom Tavern, 18th century campfire cooking demonstrations, a morning muster with the Acton Minutemen, and camping out under the stars. This popular event has already sold out.

“We’re so extremely proud to support the American Independence Museum’s Family Camp Out,” noted Newburyport Bank President & CEO Lloyd L. Hamm. “It’s quintessential Americana with families getting together under the stars to play games, sing songs, make crafts, and so much more to celebrate our proud history. It’s one of those memories that lasts a lifetime and we’re so happy to play a small part in making it happen.”

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, visit independencemuseum.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.