by rob | Dec 1, 2017 | Partnerships, Programming
With many secondary schools around the state forced to cut back on history classes due to budget shortfalls, the American Independence Museum launched a Traveling Truck pilot program early in 2017. Revealing different aspects of colonial life, the program provides experiential learning opportunities in American History directly in the classroom at no cost to school districts for elementary and middle school age children.
“History has a place in today’s classroom,” said museum Executive Director Emma Bray. “There is so much more to history than rote memorization of facts and dates.”
Abigail Pietrantonio, education manager at the museum, agrees and said the program helps students develop many of the ‘middle skills’ required for success in “today’s fast-pace world.”
“Critical thinking, team-building, communication—these are some of the skills that research shows history can help students develop,” she said. “The study of history is as relevant as ever.”
Educating roughly 100 students this past spring in its pilot program, the Traveling Trunk is now fully implemented and has educated nearly 250 students this fall. Most recently, Pietrantonio traveled to Jacques Memorial Elementary School in Milford.
“It was great to be in the classroom with the kids,” she said. “I look forward to visiting more schools.”
For David Van Rossum, President/CEO of Service Credit Union, which is sponsoring the trunk through April of 2018, the program’s success has been “remarkable.”
“We are delighted the program has been so well received and we hope many other children from the Granite State will come to experience our rich history in such a fun and engaging way,” he said.
In each trunk—students have access to more than 70 high-quality replica items, while teachers are guided by a curriculum designed by the museum.
Expressing appreciation at the partnership with—and support from—Service Credit Union, Bray said the program helps to advance the museum’s mission “beyond [their] four walls.”
“The museum closes for tours in December, but this program makes us a year-round concern,” she said. “We are not just preserving history, we are help to teach it while inspiring today’s young learners to become tomorrow’s leaders…This is a great program that fills a very real educational need.”
To learn more about the Traveling Trunk program, or make an inquiry for your school, library, or similar institution, contact Abigail at [email protected].
by rob | Nov 28, 2017 | Events, Uncategorized
As part of Exeter’s Ring in the Season events, the American Independence Museum (AIM) in Exeter will celebrate the holidays from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday, December 1 with its annual Holiday Celebration, presented by The Provident Bank.
At the event, visitors can toast the holidays with light refreshments, create Colonial holiday gifts, enjoy seasonal music, and visit their pop-up gift shop. The event will also feature a silent auction with numerous items up for bid, including a vacation and brewery tour package at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.
Folsom Tavern will be open for public tours Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm with refreshments available at Folsom Tavern from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on Saturday for purchase for those watching the town’s Holiday Parade.
On Sunday, December 3, the tavern will be open from 1 pm to 5 pm as part of Womenade of Greater Squamscott’s Exeter Area Holiday Home Tour with tickets available through Womenade.
“This is the first year we’re taking full advantage of the Town of Exeter’s wonderful ‘Ring in the Season’ events that take place November 30 to December 3,” said Museum Executive Director Emma Bray. “We are looking forward to an exciting weekend.”
In addition to their annual holiday celebration on Friday, this is the first year the museum will serve refreshments during the holiday parade on Saturday and participate in Womenade’s Holiday Home Tour on Sunday.
Bray also expressed excitement that their Folsom Tavern is professionally decorated for the holidays this year.
“Our friends at The Willow across the street are decorating the tavern with financial support from The Provident Bank enabling us to host an expanded year-end celebration,” she added. “2017 was a wonderful year for us, so this is a fitting end to our season.”
Admission to Friday’s event is free for members, $5 for non-members, and $3 for non-member children.
by rob | Nov 17, 2017 | Events, Partnerships
In celebration of Small Business Saturday on November 25, the American Independence Museum will offer a 10% discount on all items in its gift shop, excluding consignment, with 20% off for members and business partners.
In extending a discount to business partners, museum Executive Director Emma Bray said she wanted to extend her gratitude to the businesses, many of whom are small to medium sized, that help support their mission.
“Small Business Saturday is a great concept—and we are all about local,” she said. “We have dozens of items—jewelry, soaps, teas and more—and they are all locally made in New Hampshire. Our gift shop has terrific holiday gift items.”
For Attorney John Sherman of Sherman Law, which recently signed on as a business partner, supporting the American Independence Museum makes sense.
“Local museums make an incredible impact on the community,” he said. “They provide a sense of social purpose, educate the public, and inspire diverse interests. Without local centers like the American Independence Museum, our Seacoast community’s identity just would not be the same.”
Having recently joined the museum as executive director earlier this year, Bray said she is encouraged at the new partnerships they have forged this year with area small businesses and hopes to attract others.
“Aside from preserving historical documents, the museum is committed to working with local partners to increase the visibility and vibrancy of Exeter,” she said. “I appreciate this town so much, I just bought my first home here with my husband. There is so much potential with this town and museum.”
On November 25, the Museum’s gift shop will be open from 10 am to 4 pm. It is located inside the museum’s Ladd-Gilman House, One Governor’s Lane in downtown Exeter.
by rob | Nov 14, 2017 | Events
On Thursday, November 16 from 7 pm to 8 pm, UNH Professor Vanessa Druskat will present “Your Most Important Role in a Democracy: Thinking for Yourself” at the American Independence Museum’s Folsom Tavern. The lecture is the last in the museum’s 2017 Educational Lecture Series, which was presented in partnership with People’s United Bank.
In this lecture, Druskat will discuss numerous aspects related to the concept of democracy as well as how the ideal democratic system is often (and easily) influenced by forces and tactics that manipulate and alter the thinking of voters.
“This is a timely lecture that will explore propaganda and advertising and their roles today in current politics, which is also the subject of an exhibit here that runs through this month,” said museum Executive Director Emma Bray.
At the end of the lecture, a question and answer session will take place.
“We are so grateful to People’s United Bank for presenting this series and enabling us to offer each lecture at no charge to guests,” added Bray. “We hope people will join us for this interesting and free community event.”
Due to limited space, email [email protected] to pre-register for a seat, although pre-registration is not required. There is no cost to attend these lectures, which take place at Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, NH.
by rob | Oct 31, 2017 | story time
On Thursday, November 2 from 9:30 am to 12 noon, the American Independence Museum in Exeter will host the final Revolutionary Story Time session for preschool age children in 2017.
Begun in May, the series is sponsored by Exeter Hospital. Taking place at the museum’s 1775 Folsom Tavern, Thursday’s program will include 90 minutes of playtime, crafts, colonial games, and opportunities to try on colonial outfits. Previous to playtime, a costumed re-enactor will tell stories and possibly sing colonial-themed music.
“It’s a fun way to invite the community to our beautiful property and have a little fun with history, too,” said the museum’s Victoria Su, who organized the series. “We are thankful at Exeter Hospital’s support of this year’s first Revolutionary Story Time series and look forward to offering more events like this in the future.”
Home to a world-class collection, including an original and rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, the museum welcomes more than 5,500 visitors annually.
To register for Revolutionary Story Time on Thursday, November 2 from 9:30 to 12 noon at Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, email [email protected].
Reservations are suggested for this free program, although donations will be gladly accepted with proceeds to benefit the museum. Due to the historic nature of the tavern, strollers are not allowed.
