by emma | Jul 31, 2018 | Partnerships
When Emma Bray, executive director of the American Independence Museum, first arrived in Exeter in March of 2017, one of the first people she met in town was Florence Ruffner of Ruffner Real Estate.
“It was clear she not only knew this area well, but loved it and especially the museum,” said Bray. “I realized right then that she is an important part of Exeter.”
Recently, Ruffner Real Estate contributed $1,500 to support the museum’s American Independence Festival, which saw more than 4,000 people visit downtown Exeter on Saturday, July 14. For Ruffner, the sponsorship reflects her love of the museum and what is one of the largest events in the area.
“I love to see people here at the festival, taking in the sights and sounds of a town I truly love,” she said. “Exeter is a town with a wonderful art and music scene, culture, shopping and restaurants…I want people to come visit us and discover why this town is so special and unique.”
For Bray, Ruffner’s vision of a vibrant, culturally rich Exeter aligns with that of the museum.
“The museum is just as concerned about the town as it is its own operations,” she said. “In order for us to thrive, the town must thrive, too, and vice-versa…We need to work together as businesses to maximize Exeter’s potential.”
Ruffner, whose office is just across the street from the museum’s Ladd-Gilman House (c.1721) and Folsom Tavern (c.1775), said she is enthused at Bray’s leadership and vision.
“I appreciate Emma and her ability to see the potential of this town and act on it,” she said. “This town has such an incredible, rich history and an even brighter future. It’s important we seize opportunities.”
One opportunity is a rich arts and culture scene, which she said the museum is helping to encourage with collaborations with numerous agencies, including TEAM (Town.Exeter.Arts.Music).
“We need vibrancy in this town in multiple ways, and so enhancing our local arts and culture scene is important to our town’s future,” Ruffner said. “With a beautiful space right in downtown Exeter, the museum is part of that, which I completely support.”
Bray added, “I am so thankful for Florence and what she has done for the museum through the years and in my time here,” she said. “She is a wonderful part of our museum.”
Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum welcomes more than 5,000 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with educational school programs and events that make history fun and relevant. Located at One Governor’s Lane in Exeter, the museum is open 10am to 4 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
by emma | Jul 26, 2018 | Partnerships
Exeter, NH—July 24, 2018—Recently, Foy Insurance made an investment of $1,500 to support the American Independence Museum, a financial contribution whose roots extend back nearly 400 years for Co-Owner Jeff Foy.
“I am a direct descendant of Anthony Colby, who was one of the first settlers of Amesbury, Massachusetts where his home, the Macy-Colby house built around 1650, still stands today,” he said. “For so many years growing up, I heard the stories from my grandparents and great-grandparents.”
This interest in history was also encouraged by his schooling.
“I had great history teachers growing up in all levels of school at Sanborn in Kingston, New Hampshire and at UNH,” he added.
For Emma Bray, executive director at the museum, Foy’s enthusiasm and support is important on many levels.
“It gets other people excited about and interested in history and what we are doing here,” she said.
Foy agrees and added, “The museum embodies so many of the things I care about–our national and local history, supporting local enterprises, being part of the fabric of Exeter, making sure young people learn about history…We feel that we succeed when Exeter and the Exeter area is prosperous so we do as much as we can to support it.”
Home to a world-class collection of 3,000 historic artifacts, the museum welcomes more than 5,000 visitors annually and offers a diverse array of programs and events for all ages.
For Foy, history is not just a subject that interests him on a personal level, though, as he noted it is also reflected in his professional narrative.
“Foy Insurance and its predecessors insurance agencies called Elwell Insurance and then Elwell-Collishaw Insurance have been operating in Exeter for 125 years,” he said. “My family is the third family to own it.”
In referencing Foy’s personal and professional story, Bray said it helps to illustrate one very important key concept.
“History is not just something from our deep past,” she said. “It is happening today.”
History can also be predictive of the future.
“I have always looked to the past to predict and prepare for the future,” said Foy.
by rob | May 22, 2018 | Partnerships
When People’s United Bank agreed to sponsor the American Independence Museum’s evening and afternoon lecture series, Executive Director Emma Bray was thrilled.
“It is more than a fiscal sponsorship,” she said. “It’s a partnership.”
In describing ‘partnership,’ Bray went on to explain that Marc Ouellette, vice president, senior market manager at People’s United Bank, attended nearly every lecture last year when they also presented the lively educational talks.
“It was great to have Marc here and talk with our guests and get to know them as people,” she said. “Their support enables us to put on a first-class event and promote it effectively…the high attendance numbers this year support that.”
For Ouellette, partnering with the museum makes sense in several ways.
“I see the bank and the museum as branches on the same tree,” he said. “The community is this tree, and each of us have our roles. It is a wonderful partnership.”
Bray agreed and extended the metaphor of a tree a bit further. “People’s United Bank enables us to branch out into the community,” she said.
In reflecting on the partnership as a whole, Bray said it is “immensely important.”
“I tremendously value our partnership with Marc and the bank,” she said. “Their support enables us to continue to develop programs and opportunities for experiential learning that are really very important. Understanding history and its relevance to today gives us all a much needed sense of place.”
Tavern Talks are additionally supported by a Humanities-To-Go grant from the NH Humanities Council.
by rob | Dec 1, 2017 | Partnerships, Programming
With many secondary schools around the state forced to cut back on history classes due to budget shortfalls, the American Independence Museum launched a Traveling Truck pilot program early in 2017. Revealing different aspects of colonial life, the program provides experiential learning opportunities in American History directly in the classroom at no cost to school districts for elementary and middle school age children.
“History has a place in today’s classroom,” said museum Executive Director Emma Bray. “There is so much more to history than rote memorization of facts and dates.”
Abigail Pietrantonio, education manager at the museum, agrees and said the program helps students develop many of the ‘middle skills’ required for success in “today’s fast-pace world.”
“Critical thinking, team-building, communication—these are some of the skills that research shows history can help students develop,” she said. “The study of history is as relevant as ever.”
Educating roughly 100 students this past spring in its pilot program, the Traveling Trunk is now fully implemented and has educated nearly 250 students this fall. Most recently, Pietrantonio traveled to Jacques Memorial Elementary School in Milford.
“It was great to be in the classroom with the kids,” she said. “I look forward to visiting more schools.”
For David Van Rossum, President/CEO of Service Credit Union, which is sponsoring the trunk through April of 2018, the program’s success has been “remarkable.”
“We are delighted the program has been so well received and we hope many other children from the Granite State will come to experience our rich history in such a fun and engaging way,” he said.
In each trunk—students have access to more than 70 high-quality replica items, while teachers are guided by a curriculum designed by the museum.
Expressing appreciation at the partnership with—and support from—Service Credit Union, Bray said the program helps to advance the museum’s mission “beyond [their] four walls.”
“The museum closes for tours in December, but this program makes us a year-round concern,” she said. “We are not just preserving history, we are help to teach it while inspiring today’s young learners to become tomorrow’s leaders…This is a great program that fills a very real educational need.”
To learn more about the Traveling Trunk program, or make an inquiry for your school, library, or similar institution, contact Abigail at [email protected].
by rob | Nov 17, 2017 | Events, Partnerships
In celebration of Small Business Saturday on November 25, the American Independence Museum will offer a 10% discount on all items in its gift shop, excluding consignment, with 20% off for members and business partners.
In extending a discount to business partners, museum Executive Director Emma Bray said she wanted to extend her gratitude to the businesses, many of whom are small to medium sized, that help support their mission.
“Small Business Saturday is a great concept—and we are all about local,” she said. “We have dozens of items—jewelry, soaps, teas and more—and they are all locally made in New Hampshire. Our gift shop has terrific holiday gift items.”
For Attorney John Sherman of Sherman Law, which recently signed on as a business partner, supporting the American Independence Museum makes sense.
“Local museums make an incredible impact on the community,” he said. “They provide a sense of social purpose, educate the public, and inspire diverse interests. Without local centers like the American Independence Museum, our Seacoast community’s identity just would not be the same.”
Having recently joined the museum as executive director earlier this year, Bray said she is encouraged at the new partnerships they have forged this year with area small businesses and hopes to attract others.
“Aside from preserving historical documents, the museum is committed to working with local partners to increase the visibility and vibrancy of Exeter,” she said. “I appreciate this town so much, I just bought my first home here with my husband. There is so much potential with this town and museum.”
On November 25, the Museum’s gift shop will be open from 10 am to 4 pm. It is located inside the museum’s Ladd-Gilman House, One Governor’s Lane in downtown Exeter.
by rob | Oct 30, 2017 | Partnerships
Presented by People’s United Bank, the American Independence Museum’s Educational Lecture series continues in the coming weeks with two exciting free talks.
At the museum’s next Lunch and Learn, “Secrets of the American Independence Museum: Collection Close-Up,” on Tuesday, November 7 at Folsom Tavern, Museum Curator Rachel Passannante will discuss their vast collection.
“We have over 3,000 artifacts and objects here with many of them not part of our regular exhibits,” she said. “This is a chance to learn more about some of our most interesting items and the stories behind them.”
“Secrets of the American Independence Museum: Collection Close-Up” will take place at the museum’s Folsom Tavern in Exeter on November 7 from 12 noon to 1 pm with attendees encouraged to bring their lunch.
On Thursday, November 16 from 7 pm to 8 pm at Folsom Tavern, the museum will host a Tavern Talk entitled “Your Most Important Role in a Democracy: Thinking for Yourself” with UNH Professor Vanessa Druscat. At this talk, she will discuss the nature of democracy as well as the notion that social science demonstrates that majorities make better decisions than those made by individuals.
Expressing appreciation at presenting sponsor People’s United Bank, which has participated in several previous lectures, museum Executive Director said these talks are aimed at laypeople with an interest in history.
“These talks are for everyone,” she said. “They are informative and fun. They represent our way to engage the community with history in creative ways.”
Due to limited space, email [email protected] to pre-register for a seat, although pre-registration is not required. There is no cost to attend these lectures. To learn more about the museum, visit www.independencemuseum.org.
