American Independence Museum Provides Rewarding Experiences to Youth

American Independence Museum Provides Rewarding Experiences to Youth

by | Apr 12, 2024 | Events, For Kids, Programming

Revolutionary history is not just relevant but also fun, according to Kelsey Curley, whose 7-year-old son Bennett participated in a minicamp at the American Independence Museum (AIM) last summer.

“He has already asked a few times about going back this summer,” she said. “He had no background knowledge on any of the topics discussed, but he was very intrigued and engaged from day one.”

For Curley, her interest in AIM’s customized education programs extended to her professional career where she is a fifth-grade teacher in the Kensington school district. “I brought my class here to the museum for a field trip last fall,” she explained. “It was incredible.”

She cited AIM’s Sarah Jaworski, who has directed educational programming at the museum for years, as “equally impressive.” Before bringing her class to AIM, she shadowed Jaworski during the summer session.

“Sarah immediately shared stories and resources,” Curley said. “I learned so much— the impact of the Exeter River in our area, the multiple perspectives of people during colonial times, the history with the Wentworths and other famous people, and so much more.”

For Jaworski, Curley’s experience typifies what she hopes all educators and parents experience at AIM. “We work very hard to create an educational environment here that is fun and inclusive,” she said. 

Curley added that history education is also “incredibly relevant.” “My class was able to connect everything they learned at AIM back to the current day, including money and economics,” she said. “The students also learned how New Hampshire previously had its own currency and treasury, which Sarah was able to show us…It was all so cool, and there truly was so much more to learn, too.”

Home to 3,000 historic artifacts, including an original copy of the Dunlap Broadside (Declaration of Independence), AIM develops programs, events, and exhibits that engage people of all ages in the ongoing struggle for freedom and self-governance. AIM is sponsored in part by The Society Of The Cincinnati In The State Of New Hampshire, Service Credit Union, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and William W. Treat Foundation.

To learn more about AIM minicamps, click the button below.

MINICAMPS

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 Returns to Beer for History

von Trapp Brewing Returns to Beer for History

by | Apr 10, 2024 | Beer for History, Events, Family Friendly, Partnerships, Programming

On Thursday, May 2, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., von Trapp Brewing returns to the American Independence Museum (AIM) to kick off its 2024 season at a special spring Beer for History.

Presented by Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella, Beer for History features music, trivia, and/or colonial tavern games with seating available inside and outside the historic Folsom Tavern (c. 1775). Beer for History events are family-friendly and help raise funds to support AIM. 

“It’s a chance to gather with friends in a festive atmosphere in a tavern that once welcomed George Washington,” noted Program Manager Sarah Jaworski. “Beer for History events also support our preservation and education initiatives, so it’s also a great way to support a local nonprofit with a big mission.”

Beer for History with von Trapp Brewing takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. Tickets for Beer for History events are $18 and $16 for members while those under 21 are free.

Ticket prices include beer (21+), 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 Bring History to Life

American Independence Museum to Bring History to Life

by | Nov 5, 2023 | Events, Family Friendly, Living History, Programming

On Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the American Independence Museum (AIM) will host Rebels in the Republic, a living history event at Folsom Tavern (1775) with costumed reenactors. Set in 1786, the event will reveal through actor portrayals the different perspectives that existed at the time over currency, debt, and who should pay for the war just won. “In the first decades of the United States, there was no national currency, and individual states’ currency was hard to come by,” said AIM’s Alena Shellenbean, who is organizing the event.

The event, which takes place throughout the day, will also address the voices that were not part of the decision-making process, including women, children, Indigenous peoples, Black Americans, and various religious minorities. “This is an immersive experience that will look and feel like you are right in the middle of the 1780’s,” said Shellenbean. “People of all ages will have a wonderful time.”

Rebels in the Republic is sponsored by Service Credit Union. Tickets to the event are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (65+), and free for children under 12, members and military/veterans. 

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’.

von Trapp Brewing Returns to Beer for History

Beer for History to Feature The Czar’s Brewery and UNH Brewlab

by | Oct 24, 2023 | Beer for History, Events, Family Friendly, Partnerships, Programming

On Thursday, November 2 and 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the American Independence Museum’s Beer for History series will feature The Czar’s Brewery and UNH Brewlab, respectively.

Presented by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, Beer for History is family-friendly and features music, trivia, Escape Room, and colonial tavern games with seating available both inside and outside the museum’s Folsom Tavern (c. 1775). “These are fun events with proceeds that support our education and public programs as part of our We Are One initiative to promote inclusive and diverse perspectives on colonial history,” said Jennifer Carr, executive director. “Have a beer for a wonderful cause.”

Tickets for each upcoming Beer for History event is $10, while youth (under 21) are free. Beer for History events take place at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. Ticket prices include beer (21+), Escape Room, and light snacks.

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 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. 

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 Zoom Session for Older Adults

American Independence Museum To Host Zoom Session for Older Adults

by | Oct 6, 2023 | Creative Aging Advisory Group, Events, For Adults, Free, Programming

On Thursday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m., the American Independence Museum (AIM) will host a 60-minute Zoom session for older adults in an effort to expand its Creative Aging Advisory Group.

The purpose of the group, made possible by a grant from Eventide Foundation, is to provide older adults with meaningful opportunities to provide input on offerings at the museum. “Serving the needs of older adults is important to us, but we do not want to dictate how these needs are met,” said Sarah Jaworski, Program Manager. “We want to hear from older adults and give them agency.”

To date, AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr said a lot of the feedback from older adults has focused on the importance of social connections. “We want seniors to feel comfortable here and that they are welcome,” she said.

To this end, Carr said AIM is exploring ways to enhance accessibility at its Folsom Tavern (c. 1775). Possible future enhancements include outdoor seating and lighting in addition to a portable outdoor restroom.

“We have a bathroom on the second floor at the tavern, but that presents a barrier for anyone with mobility challenges,” added Carr. “We want to remove that barrier.”

Regarding the Zoom session scheduled on Thursday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m., Jaworski said its structure will be informal and “more social than anything else.” “We will offer free museum memberships to any older adult that attends,” she added. “We look forward to making new friends.”

Preregistration is not required to attend the virtual session, although it is encouraged. To preregister or to learn more, please click the button below.

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’.

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