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.