celebration - American Independence Museum

Join AIM at OTTO Pizza

by | Nov 24, 2023

darkened restaurant exterior with lit sign that reads OTTO

Date: Monday, December 18
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: OTTO Pizza, 33 Water St, Exeter, NH

Join us at OTTO Pizza for an AIM fundraiser. We will be there to catch you up on AIM, and find out how your December is going. 10% of all food sales that evening will benefit AIM.

Have a slice for a good cause!

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’.

Creative Aging Discovery Session

by rob | Sep 26, 2023

Date: Thursday, October 19
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Virtual

If you are an older adult, we invite you to a 60-minute Zoom session as part of our Creative Aging Advisory Group. At this informal session, we want to hear from you regarding the kinds of programs you want to see not just here at AIM, but in your community.

Free memberships will be given to all attendees!

Register here

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’.

AIM thanks community and sponsors for successful celebration

by ion | Oct 1, 2021 | Events, For Adults

On Friday, September 17, the American Independence Museum held a birthday party to celebrate its 30th anniversary as a nonprofit and the 300th anniversary of its Ladd-Gilman House.

Built in 1721, the Ladd-Gilman House was home to Nicholas Gilman, Jr., a signer of the Constitution. It also served as Governor’s mansion when Nicholas’ brother, John Taylor Gilman, was Governor. Their father—Nicholas Gilman, Sr.—was the state’s first Treasurer.

“The celebration was well attended and supported by so many sponsors, new and returning,” noted Executive Director Emma Stratton, who said the event raised more than $15,000.

“The proceeds support our continued focus on developing inclusive programs, events and exhibits that meaningfully connect the past with the present,” she added.

Major sponsors of the celebration included Plaistow Oral Surgery, DiTolla Dental, and Foss Motors.

In addition to a silent auction, food and drink, and live music from the Midnight Wrens, the celebration presented visitors with a rare glimpse of the museum’s original Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence, one of only 26 known to still exist. The copy arrived in Exeter by horseback on July 16, 1776 at which time the state treasurer’s 22-year-old son, John Taylor Gilman, read the document to the residents of Exeter from the town house steps.

“It was incredible to share this document with the community on this special occasion,” said Stratton.

To learn more about the museum, 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.

300th Birthday Party and Silent Auction

by ion | Aug 12, 2021

Get Event Tickets

Tickets: $75 per person

Celebrate the Ladd-Gilman House’s 300th anniversary with a birthday party under the tent on the newly reconstructed lawn of our Folsom Tavern. This event will be held Friday, September 17 from 5-7 pm. Join us for an evening of cocktails, hors d’ouevres, silent auction and music.

Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern will be open for self-guided tours and our original printing of the Dunlap Broadside will be on view.

Anniversary Event Sponsors: