by rob | Sep 1, 2016 | Uncategorized
On Friday, September 16, the American Independence Museum will celebrate Constitution and Citizenship Day with a lunch lecture at 12 pm at Folsom Tavern. Entitled “Ratification of the Constitution in New Hampshire, the lecture will explore why New Hampshire almost voted against the proposed Federal Constitution. Professor Emeritus of History at Dartmouth College, Jere R. Daniell will present the lecture.
For Education Manager Abigail Pietrantonio, the entire day highlights the importance of civic engagement. “It’s important to understand what it took to draft the Constitution and what it means for our nation today,” she said. “This lecture should be very interesting, because not everyone knows just how close the Granite State was to not supporting the newly formed nation.”
Aimée Sundstrom, marketing manager at Service Credit Union, which is a major Museum sponsor, said she believes it is important people understand the meaning of citizenship.
“We appreciate the role the Museum continues to play in educating the public, especially on such an important day,” she said. “We are very excited about this Lunch and Learn lecture.”
Scheduled to take place at 12 pm at the Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, the Lecture is made possible by generous support from the New Hampshire Humanities Council. Pre-registration is required for this free lecture and people are encouraged to bring their lunches. Please contact Abby Pietrantonio at [email protected].
by rob | Aug 25, 2016 | Uncategorized
Featuring more than 2,000 items in its collection, the need to preserve them is critical, which makes the American Independence Museum’s recent $5,000 grant award so important. Granted by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the award will enable the Museum to restore, digitize and safely house 4 rare historical artifacts as well as purchase materials required for new archival storage methods for hundreds of other items in the collection.
Museum Executive Director Julie Williams referred to the grant award as “an important piece to a long-term preservation plan.”
“With an eye toward future sustainability both in terms of our collection and the Museum itself, we need to take steps to ensure our artifacts may be enjoyed for future generations,” she said. “This grant award helps protect 4 key items in our collection and lay the groundwork for future projects—I cannot thank the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution enough.”
Susan O’Leary, immediate past regent for the Exeter DAR Chapter and current ambassador at the Museum, said she was honored to sponsor the Special Grants Application.
“Chapter recognition of the importance of the Museum’s two anchor properties, the Folsom Tavern and the Ladd-Gilman House, dates back to 1901 when our young chapter presented slate tablets to both to honor their significance to local and state history,” she said. “This grant will help assure that the Museum will educate and serve the region into the future.”
The 4 items that will be preserved include: A letter handwritten and signed by George Washington in Mount Vernon to General Henry Knox in New York; handwritten letter from George Washington to General John Sullivan; “A Compendium of Military Duty, adapted for the Militia of the United States” by Jonathan Rawson, Esq., late aid de camp to General Sullivan; and an engraved book plate that belonged to George Washington.
“These items are among some of the most significant in our collection,” added Williams. “They are delicate and require expert handling by outside consultants—it will be very exciting to see these items in all their restored glory.”
Founded in 1991 with the strength and guidance of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire, the Exeter Community and the State of New Hampshire, the American Independence Museum is a place where all can learn and celebrate what it took to create the freedoms that Americans enjoy hundreds of years later.
Learn more about the American Independence Museum at www.independencemuseum.org.
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by rob | Aug 16, 2016 | Uncategorized
Having previously supported as well as worked with the American Independence Museum on previous projects through the years, Service Credit Union has invested $2,500 to support the American Independence Museum.
According to Marketing Manager Aimée Sundstrom, the investment reflects something fundamental that is shared by both organizations.
“A member of the local community since 1957, Service Credit Union is a part of Seacoast history,” she said. “We support the American Independence Museum, because it brings the very beginning of this region’s history to life in a very unique way.”
Noting they also “greatly appreciate” the Museum’s concern for veterans/active military and their families by providing them with free admission, Sundstrom said Service Credit Union is particularly in support children’s education programs at the Museum.
“If we can help educate kids on the importance of American history right from its very beginnings, I believe we can make a profound difference on their understanding of civic engagement and social responsibility.”
She said it is this idea of social responsibility that drives Service Credit Union’s philosophy of community engagement.
“Our first commandment is to ‘serve those who serve,’” she said. “In recent years, we have expanded this notion to include a very systematic approach to corporate giving to area nonprofits to make a bigger impact.”
For Museum Executive Director Julie Williams, this impact has been felt across the agency.
“As a nonprofit, we have razor thin margins and rely on building partnerships with organizations whose charitable interests align with our mission,” she said. “Service Credit Union has been a terrific partner in the past, and so to join us at this level of investment is really profound and quite meaningful.”
Serving more than 1600 children from schools throughout New Hampshire, the American Independence Museum works directly with educators to offer specific programs that complement the classroom experience. “We bring in experienced colonial re-enactors as well as others who can demonstrate colonial trades—we want to create memorable experiences for all our visitors,” Williams added.
Founded in 1991, the American Independence Museum is a place where visitors can learn and celebrate what it took to create the freedoms Americans continue to enjoy today. The Museum is also part of the NH Heritage Trail. To learn more about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.
by rob | Jul 21, 2016 | Uncategorized
At the American Independence Museum, one of its primary objectives is to engage visitors of all ages with opportunities to explore Revolutionary history in unique ways, which is tangibly demonstrated in its new Colonial Cutting Garden.
Planted with heirloom plants from Plimoth Plantation, the garden was made possible with financial support from The Farm at Eastman’s Corner. Citing an appreciation for the rich history of the NH Seacoast and that of Exeter in particular, Eric Cimon, director of marketing and events at The Farm at Eastman’s Corner, said they are excited at the partnership.
“The American Independence Museum is a unique and treasured establishment full of the stories of Exeter’s history and is a wonderful resource for all ages to learn and be reminded of how and why we got here,” he noted. “We are proud to support the learning garden and commend them for their efforts and perseverance, making sure the history of our country’s independence is not lost with the passage of time.”
Cimon said the garden also reflects core value of The Farm at Eastman Corner.
“We are focused on educating individuals about the history of the region, how we got here and how we can protect and preserve it for future generations through efforts in conservation and sustainability,” he noted.
Noting the garden features nearly two-dozen plants and herbs, some of which include rosemary, lemon balm, red orach, sage and nasturtium, Williams said the Museum’s newest living history addition reveals an important facet of Colonial history.
“Colonial Cutting Gardens were a staple of every home,” she said. “The plants and herbs within them served an important function for the family—from alleviating ailments and injuries to providing flavor to food, warding off evil spirits, and deterring pests. They also gave fragrance to soaps and cosmetics as well as to the entire home.”
To learn more about the Colonial Cutting Garden, which visitors can tour with a self-guided pamphlet that explains their historical importance, visit the Museum Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The Museum is located at One Governor’s Lane, Exeter, NH.
The Museum is part of the NH Heritage Trail. Visit www.nhmuseumtrail.org for more information.
by rob | Jul 15, 2016 | Uncategorized
While it has become well known for all kinds of dramatic displays, including battle reenactments, cannon firings and more, the main objectives behind the annual American Independence Festival are education and honoring those who serve.
“It is important people take something tangible away with them when they leave the Festival,” said Abby Pietrantonio, education manager at the American Independence Museum, which presents the Festival each year. “What happened here in New Hampshire and across the 13 Colonies during that time has helped shape who we are as Americans today.”
It is this mission that has attracted Service Credit Union as one of the Museum’s major sponsors for 2016. Aimée Sundstrom, marketing manager at Service Credit Union, said she believes the Festival plays an important role in furthering its own mission.
“We are here to serve and honor those who serve,” she said. “The Museum—and the Festival in particular—helps highlight the role that the military played in providing us with the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Citing the support of nearly two dozen businesses and corporations already in 2016, Museum Executive Director Julie Williams said the crown jewel of the Festival is its collection, which will be evidenced by three rare documents.
“We will have a ‘Broadside’ copy of the Declaration of Independence on display and two working draft copies of the U.S. Constitution,” she said. “The public usually cannot see these items, because we must be very careful with how they are handled and displayed. The Festival is the only chance to see them in New Hampshire this year.”
In addition to Service Credit Union, major sponsors of the Festival and the Museum include Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, Two International Group, AutoFair, Geico, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and Ruffner Real Estate. Additional support is provided by Foy Insurance, Chinburg Properties, RiverWoods, Access Sports, and The Farm at Eastman’s Corner.
Featuring historic battle re-enactments, colonial demonstrations, children’s activities, cannons that fire throughout the day, crafts, music, food and more, the annual Independence Festival is the signature event of the American Independence Museum in Exeter.
To purchase tickets, click HERE.
by rob | Jul 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
Saturday’s 26th American Independence Festival not only highlights the role of Exeter in the founding of the nation, but the increasing cultural footprint created through several related initiatives in town in the past year.
“Exeter has some incredible cultural assets—the Festival helps to highlight that,” said Todd Deluca, president of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce. “History, the arts, local music—they all have a place here in Exeter.”
Scott Ruffner, executive director of nonprofit TEAM, which is “dedicated to the production, promotion and organization of original programming, projects and events in the Exeter area,” said he believes the Festival serves as a gateway to the town’s burgeoning arts scene.
“TEAM is looking to shine the light on community members bold enough to make their own art, brew their own beer, grown their own food, and write and perform their own music—the essence of celebrating independence,” he said. “We look forward to continue working with the Museum and bridging the gap between the arts and Exeter’s rich history, which began with cultural traditions established by people in the community and something I think we’ve lost along the way.”
Featuring historic battle re-enactments, colonial demonstrations, children’s activities, crafts, music, local food and more, the Independence Festival is annually presented by the American Independence Museum, which is quietly attracting a strong core of new supporters.
“The American Independence Museum continues to expand its relevant work, including the recent creation of a historic garden that features plants and flowers that would have been used in a household or Inn garden of the 18 century,” said Chinburg Properties’ Jen Chinburg. “We encourage everyone to check out this rich treasure in the town of Exeter.”
Access Sports’ Founder Dr. Josh Siegel added, “The Museum is an active, vital member of the community—and we are proud to support its mission. The Festival represents the very best of what Exeter has to offer.”
A member of the Exeter community for more than 120 years, Foy Insurance also supports the Museum. Foy Insurance’s Jeff Foy said he appreciates the fact that the Museum helps remind everyone of the rich history that surrounds the town and the entire region.
“The Museum consistently provides a great opportunity for young and old to experience and learn about the history in the greater Exeter area,” he said. “Check out the Festival in July and you will be glad you did.”
Longtime Museum supporters are also enthused about the Musem and Festival, including Florence Ruffner of Ruffner Real Estate.
“Our country’s rich history is something we are fortunate to have right in our town,” she noted. “It is vital to who we are as a nation and what our forefathers fought for.”
Other major sponsors of the Festival and the Museum include Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law, Two International Group, AutoFair, Geico, Service Credit Union and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Additional support is provided by RiverWoods and The Farm at Eastman’s Corner.
To learn more about the American Independence Festival on July 16, 2016, or to purchase tickets, click HERE.
