civics - American Independence Museum

Spirits of the Past Explores Spooky Museum History

by ion | Oct 18, 2021 | For Adults, Programming

On Thursday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., on the Folsom Tavern Lawn, the American Independence Museum will host Spirits of the Past, which focuses on the 19th century Spiritualist movement.

While its main focus is the connection between Spiritualism and the museum’s nearly 240 year-old Folsom Tavern, the program will also provide insight into the movement’s ties to America’s founding principles on freedom of religion. April Sheerin, Church of Spiritual Life member, medium, and Director of New Awakenings, will be on-site to share perspectives on Spiritualism today and offer mediumship demonstrations.

“We are so excited to have April facilitate this program in partnership with us,” said the museum’s Sarah Jaworski. “This is a chance to learn more about American history in a way that really will get people thinking.”

Spirits of the Past will take place on the lawn outside Folsom Tavern, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $15 for non-members and $10 for members with light refreshments provided. To learn more about this program, or to purchase tickets, https://www.independencemuseum.org/AIMstaging/event/spirits-of-the-past/

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.

Spirits of the Past

by ion | Oct 13, 2021

$15 Non-members
$10 Members

Purchase Tickets

Join us for an evening around the fire on the lawn of the Folsom Tavern as we explore the spiritualist movement in the 19th century and its ties to America’s founding principles on freedom of religion, as well as to a former tenant of our Folsom Tavern, who was a spiritualist conducting ‘demonstrations’ from the building in the 19th century.

April Sheerin, Church of Spiritual Life member, medium, and Director of New Awakenings, will be on-site to share perspectives on Spiritualism today and offer mediumship demonstrations.

Light refreshments will be available as well.

Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery Tours

by ion | Oct 10, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly, Programming, Tours

On Saturday, October 23, the American Independence Museum will host Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery, a popular family-friendly event that takes visitors on a tour through history.

“Our colonial guide meets you at Winter Street Cemetery and walks you through it while showing you the graves of some of Exeter’s most famous and infamous revolutionary residents,” said the museum’s Sarah Jaworski.

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, Revolutionary and Civil War veterans, politicians and others.

Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery takes place every 30 minutes, 4:00 p.m. through 5:30 p.m., at Winter Street Cemetery on Saturday, October 23. There is a 3 p.m. tour designed especially for families with elementary school aged children, who are invited to wear their Halloween costume while discovering stories of the past and tasting a colonial treat.

All tours will last approximately 45 minutes with guests 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 members’ children, ages 6-18, are $3. All children under 6 are free.

Ticket price includes the cemetery tour and a return pass to visit the museum. Click here to purchase tickets.

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.

Join AIM’s Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery Tour

by ion | Oct 8, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly, For Adults, For Kids, Programming, Tours

On Saturday, October 23, the American Independence Museum will host Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery, a popular family-friendly event that takes visitors on a tour through history.

“Our colonial guide meets you at Winter Street Cemetery and walks you through it while showing you the graves of some of Exeter’s most famous and infamous revolutionary residents,” said the museum’s Sarah Jaworski.

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, Revolutionary and Civil War veterans, politicians and others.

Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery takes place every 30 minutes, 4:00 p.m. through 5:30 p.m., at Winter Street Cemetery on Saturday, October 23. There is a 3 p.m. tour designed especially for families with elementary school aged children, who are invited to wear their Halloween costume while discovering stories of the past and tasting a colonial treat.

All tours will last approximately 45 minutes with guests 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 members’ children, ages 6-18, are $3. All children under 6 are free.

Ticket price includes the cemetery tour and a return pass to visit the museum. To purchase tickets, click here.

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.

Beer for History Returns to American Independence Museum

by ion | Oct 6, 2021 | Beer for History, Events, For Adults, Human Interest, Programming

On Thursday, October 14, Beer for History, sponsored by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, returns to the American Independence Museum, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, on the Folsom Tavern lawn with tents and campfires.

Bringing together some of the region’s finest craft brewers, Beer for History 2021 kicks off with Pipe Dream Brewing, based in Londonderry. Featuring sours, stouts, IPA’s, specialty beers, and more, Pipe Dream Brewing headlines Beer for History for the first time.

“We are very excited to work with them on this exciting reboot of our popular Beer for History series after a hiatus last year,” said museum Executive Director Emma Stratton. “This will also be a great opportunity to see our new Folsom Lawn, which is now flat and features pathways that connect to our Ladd-Gilman House.”

In addition to craft beer, Beer for History features trivia, colonial-inspired games and self-guided tours of historic Folsom Tavern.

“It’s a great way to spend a little time in a family-friendly tavern where George Washington himself once enjoyed a beer,” added Stratton.

Beer for History with Pipe Dream Brewing takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 14 outside at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern Lawn, 164 Water St., Exeter, NH. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members, while youth (under 21) are $5. Ticket prices include beer (21+), entertainment and light snacks. While the event takes place outside, masks are required in Folsom Tavern.

To purchase tickets, or learn more about upcoming events in the Beer for History series, click here.

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.