With 7 locations across New Hampshire, including Exeter, Foy Insurance has invested $1,000 to support programming and artifact preservation activities at the American Independence Museum.
Jeff Foy (l) with Emma Bray
For Jeff Foy of Foy Insurance, his longstanding support of the museum reflects a lifelong love of history that dates back to childhood.
“I still read mostly non-fiction to this day because of my interest in history and particularly in American history,” he said. “I guess I look at history as part of who I am and thus I like to learn about it.”
Foy Insurance Group is a family-owned, independent insurance agency based in Exeter, NH with 10 branch offices in New Hampshire, Maine & Massachusetts. Foy Insurance and its predecessor insurance agency entities were founded in Exeter in 1893.
Citing Foy Insurance’s longstanding role in the community, Emma Bray, executive director at the museum, said Exeter is a unique place in which to explore “our nation’s past.”
“The artifacts in our museum represent just one facet to the unique colonial history of Exeter,” she said. “Foy Insurance has been part of this community for nearly 125 years—I am very thankful we can work together to celebrate and share this town’s history with others.”
Foy is equally enthused about the partnership and referred to the museum as akin to a hidden gem whose wisdom and secrets are meant to be shared.
“The resources at the museum are exceptional and one of a kind,” he said. “I enjoy the activities that it hosts and the people that attend.”
Foy said it was important to support the American Independence Museum, which was founded in Exeter in 1991. “Foy Insurance has been part of the Exeter community for many years and hopes to continue to be part of the community for many more years to come,” he said.
With a strong lineup of school and summer camp programs for 2017, the American Independence Museum will soon offer its first program for pre-school age children, Revolutionary Story Time.
The program will take place from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Museum’s historic Folsom Tavern beginning on Thursday, May 4. The program will continue on the first Thursday of each month in June, September, October and November on the dates of June 1, September 7, October 5, and November 2, respectively.
Events Manager Victoria Su said the museum is excited to invite “our youngest citizens” for this educational program.
“We will be sharing age appropriate books, music, and crafts about the founding of our Nation as a way to foster a love of reading, history, and civic engagement in our next generation,” she said. “Colonial Re-enactor and musician Mike Welch will lead the groups and bring some music to the program, too—it will be a lot of fun.”
The Museum opens for the 2017 season on Tuesday, May 2 and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm through December 1.
Reservations are required for this program and donations are encouraged. All proceeds will benefit the museum. For more information, or to register for Revolutionary Story Time, email [email protected]. Due to the historic nature of the tavern, strollers are not allowed.
Opening on May 2 followed by an Opening Celebration on Saturday, May 6 with free admission for NH residents, the American Independence Museum in Exeter, NH has been hard at work developing a host of new exhibits for 2017.
One new exhibit, entitled “Propaganda,” will take visitors on a journey from Colonial times to the present day. Its purpose will be to illustrate the widespread use of propaganda across multiple sectors of society from as far back as the 1770’s, although its roots may be traced to the ancient world.
“The exhibit will show the evolution of propaganda until the present day—there are a lot of similarities between Colonial American and today,” said Rachel Passannante, collections and visitor services manager. “We are very excited about it.”
Presented by Optima Bank & Trust, another new exhibit will highlight 10 key items in the Museum’s collection that have not previously been viewable by the public given concerns related to their preservation. The new exhibit is made possible by a grant from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, which awarded the Museum $6,000 to purchase two sealed microclimate cases.
“This exhibit will include handwritten letters by George Washington and a bookplate that was in his possession,” added Passannante. “These are among some of the most prized items in our collection.”
According to Executive Director Emma Bray, the new exhibits underscore the Museum’s emphasis on relevancy in 2017.
“Learning history can be engaging and fun—these are not mutually exclusive goals,” she said.
Held in conjunction with Exeter Kids’ Fest, the Museum’s Opening Celebration will feature Colonial re-enactors and period appropriate lawn games, weather permitting.
“It’s going to be a great chance to see what’s happening here this year,” Bray added. “Even if you have been here before, there are a lot of changes we hope will excite you.”
Founded in 1991, the American Independence Museum is located in Exeter, which served as New Hampshire’s capital during the Revolutionary War. Home to a world-class collection, including an extremely rare copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Museum welcomes more than 5,500 visitors annually and distinguishes itself with school programs and events that make history fun and relevant.
The Museum opens for the 2017 season on Tuesday, May 2 and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm through December 1.
Making history relevant and fun, last year’s summer programs for kids proved quite popular at the American Independence Museum in Exeter, which has staff excited now that registration for this year’s programs is open.
The Museum’s summer programs include Colonial Living History, in which children, ages 8 to 11, will assume the role of real 18th century Exeter residents. The Muster Day Program will engage children (ages 8 to 11) with history for one day and provide them with the opportunity to set up colonial tents and camps as well as learn to muster with a real “Militiaman.”
New to last year’s summer offerings, the Junior Historian Program will provide older children (ages 10 to 13) with the opportunity to visit local museums and galleries in addition to participation in hands-on demonstrations in archaeology, collections management and genealogy.
“There are more ways to learn about history than just from a textbook,” said Education Manager Abigail Pietrantonio. “We want to teach children about how they can analyze things like objects, documents, buildings and more to learn about not only the distant past, but perhaps their own history as well.”
The summer programs complement the recently launched Traveling Trunk program in which the Museum can be brought directly into the classroom. Based around several possible lesson plans for teachers to use, the program is funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Complete with replica period clothing, toys, historical artifacts, and more, each of the Museum’s two trunks will feature more than 70 items.
“Through our various programs, children can find the ways in which history speaks best to them—whether through dressing in 18th century clothing to learning about their own genealogy,” said Pietrantonio. “We want to engage visitors of all ages and make learning fun…There truly is something for everyone here.”
After nearly 4 years as Executive Director of the American Independence Museum in Exeter, Julie Hall Williams will be leaving in February to join The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees), the 10th largest nonprofit in Massachusetts as Director of Annual Giving and Major Giving.
For Williams, leaving the Museum is decidedly bittersweet. “I have loved being here at the American Independence Museum and working to put us on the map as a cultural destination in the region,” she said. “I have previously worked at The Trustees of Reservations and I am excited to be intricately involved in projects that will enliven museums, beaches, trails and historic places that see almost 2 million individuals annually.”
Noting a transition and search team has already been formed by the Board of Governors, President Sue Desjardins applauded Williams for her service. She cited 2016 as “irrefutable proof” that the Museum is “clearly on the right path and moving forward with positive momentum.”
“Under Julie’s leadership, we broke a record with more than 5,000 visitors in each of the past two years and we doubled our donations through corporate and leadership giving,” she said.
Desjardins noted that under Julie’s leadership the Museum has also added a successful Ambassadors program, enhanced its facilities and collections, and expanded its programs and events, which include the American Independence Festival in July. Other milestones in the past four years have included completing the Museum’s first long range strategic business plan, expanding its web/social media presence, improving its physical plant and landscape, and comprehensively cataloguing the entire Museum collection (6,000+ pieces).
In looking ahead for the Museum, Desjardins said the key is “to keep that trajectory going upward.”
“We have detailed plans that include several large projects ready for execution in education, exhibits, programs, and events—all aimed at enhancing our standing and impact,” she said. “Our ultimate goal is that visitors leave inspired with a heightened appreciation of our Nation’s fight for independence and a renewed sense of the importance of civic engagement today.”
As for her immediate future, Williams expressed excitement at returning to The Trustees and new challenges, including lead fundraising initiatives for more than $3M in annual operating support. Founded in 1891 and celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2016, The Trustees is the first land preservation nonprofit of its kind in the world and the Commonwealth’s largest conservation and preservation organization.
“I live locally and will continue to be a Museum member,” added Williams. “I’m still committed to the Museum.”
Expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming year at the Museum, Desjardins said the governing board’s goal is to have a new Executive Director in place by May 1, which is the beginning of the Museum’s 2017 season. In seeking to attract the best candidates possible, she said they have ‘cast a wide net’ by advertising for the position on a number of different platforms.
“Because Julie has left us in very good stead and because the Museum has a solid foundation of supporters, we are looking forward to smooth transition,” she added.
Among thousands of items, the American Independence Museum’s collection includes an original copy of the Declaration of Independence and handwritten letters by George Washington. Comprised of the Ladd-Gilman House (c.1721) and Folsom Tavern (c.1775) on more than one acre of landscaped property, the Museum hosts public educational programs and lectures, colonial artisan demonstrations, guided tours, and special events.
