by rob | May 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
New England’s first microbrewery, Portland-based D.L. Geary Brewing Company will participate in the American Independence Museum’s inaugural Beer for History event on Thursday, May 19 in downtown Exeter, NH. Featuring seven full time beers and three seasonal specialties, Geary’s Tim Turner said he is excited to bring their award-winning brews to NH for “an innovative beer event.”
“We are all about celebrating history—whether it’s our own beers or the rich history of New England itself, so this was a great opportunity for us to support a great cause and promote our brand,” he said.
Sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law of Portsmouth, other brewers include 7th Settlement in Dover, NH and Neighborhood Beer Co. from Exeter, NH. The Beer for History series continues on June 23 with a Tavern Night theme and on October 20 with a Fall Harvest theme. In addition to craft brews, each event will feature live music, food, games and magic for children. The Beer for History event in May will feature food prepared by 3 Brothers Marketplace in Exeter.
Proceeds from Beer for History will support the Museum’s efforts to preserve its collection, including an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, handwritten letters by George Washington and other rare artifacts. Proceeds will also support the Museum’s educational programs, which serve more than 1,600 children annually from across NH.
Tickets for each event in the series will be $30 and include food, samplings of beer, games for kids, and more. Members of the Museum may purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $25. To buy tickets for an individual event or for the entire series at a discounted rate, visit www.independencemuseum.org.
by rob | May 9, 2016 | Beer for History
As part of the American Independence Museum’s inaugural Beer for History event on Thursday, May 19 in downtown Exeter, Neighborhood Beer Co. (NHBC) is brewing a Baroque Butterfly Tan Ale, its take on a late medieval brew from the lowlands of Northwestern Europe. According to NHBC’s Joe Berwanger, the slightly sour, mixed-grain ale was very popular even in the mid-17th century, as it was praised by Pope Alexander VII when he helped negotiate the peace treaty of the Thirty Years’ War.
“A great example of beer’s prominent role in history, our recreation of this transcendent ale features a unique easy-drinking quality with citrus notes balancing out the slightly sour finish,” he said.
For the Museum’s Rob Levey, who initially outreached NHBC to gauge their interest in participating in Beer for History, the beer represents a “tangible and fun” reminder that history matters.
“Learning and celebrating history helps ground us as a nation, so Joe and his team’s enthusiasm at connecting their beer with the general concept of history itself is really pretty cool,” he said.
The man responsible behind the Keutebier style beer and the many award-winning German-style beers at NHBC is GABF award-winning brewer, international beer judge and brewing consultant, German-born Horst Dornbusch.
“Having opened up a little more than 6 months ago, we want to do all we can to connect with Exeter and the surrounding communities,” he said. “Partnering with the American Independence Museum and the other great brewers they have lined up for the series made a lot of sense too all of us…We look forward to unveiling our beer at May’s Beer for History.”
Sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law of Portsmouth, other brewers include 7th Settlement in Dover and D.L. Geary Brewing Company from Maine. The Beer for History series kicks off on May 19 in Exeter, NH and will continue on June 23 with a Tavern Night theme and on October 20 with a Fall Harvest theme.
In addition to craft brews, each event will feature live music, food, games and magic for children. The Beer for History event in May will feature food prepared by 3 Brothers Marketplace in Exeter.
Tickets for each event in the series will be $30 and include food, samplings of beer, games for kids, and more. Members of the Museum may purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $25. To buy tickets for an individual event or for the entire series at a discounted rate, visit Beer for History.
by rob | May 2, 2016 | Uncategorized
Opening on Tuesday, May 3, the American Independence Museum will celebrate the 2016 season by offering free admission to NH residents on Saturday, May 7.
The event is part of Exeter’s inaugural Kids’ Day, which kicks off at the Exeter Area YMCA where Healthy Kids Day will be celebrated from 9am – 1pm. From noon to 4pm, visitors will also enjoy numerous activities throughout downtown Exeter. These activities will include a mini Touch-a-Truck on Swasey Parkway, a demonstration by the NH State Police Canine Unit, a visit from a 64′ inflatable fin whale (courtesy of Blue Ocean Society), a magician, a juggler, mascots, creatures, crafts and more.
“We are very to be part of this first-time event,” said Museum Executive Director Julie Williams, who noted they will also host a free evening lecture on the origin of historic American songs on Wednesday, May 4 at 7 pm. “It’s a busy week for us—we look forward to it.”
Comprising the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721) and Folsom Tavern (c.1775) on more than one acre of landscaped property, the Museum hosts public and educational programs and lectures, colonial artisan demonstrations, guided tours, and special events. The Museum is also part of the “Experience New Hampshire Heritage: The Portsmouth to Plymouth Museum Trail.”
To learn more about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.
by rob | Apr 19, 2016 | Exhibits
In addition to a free lunch and evening lecture series and several Beer for History festivals that are expected to attract hundreds in 2016, the American Independence Museum will present an exhibit on George Washington.
Developed by UNH graduate students, Jennifer King and Virginia Grinch, the exhibit, entitled “George Washington and the Society of the Cincinnati,” explores the parallels between Washington and Cincinnatus, a Roman statesman and military leader who represented the republican ideal. The Society of the Cincinnati was founded in 1783 by Revolutionary War officers as a fraternal organization dedicated to mutual support.
“The exhibit will tell the story of how Washington balanced the egalitarian ideals of his time with his diplomatic membership in an exclusive fraternal organization,” noted Museum Executive Director Julie Williams.
Open to the public on the Museum’s 2016 Opening Day of Tuesday, May 3, the exhibit will include portraits, memorabilia, and facsimiles of letters to and from Washington.
“This is a very unique exhibit with some incredible artifacts,” added Williams. “We look forward to sharing this important, but little known aspect of George Washington.
New exhibits and educational programming as well as free admission for veterans and their families are made possible by major sponsors. Major sponsors include Two International Group, AutoFair, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Foy Insurance, Chinburg Properties, Access Sports and RiverWoods.
by rob | Apr 15, 2016 | Programming
On Tuesday, May 3, the American Independence Museum in Exeter will open its doors to the 2016 season, which will feature expanded programming and new events.
Building on the popularity of last year’s evening lectures, the Museum will offer a free Lunch and Learn series where esteemed authors and experts will provide brief talks on lesser known aspects of Colonial History. At the first Lunch and Learn lecture on May 10 at 12 pm, local historian and Museum volunteer Doug MacLennan will talk about how abundant local forests helped make America possible.
This year, the Museum will also host the inaugural Beer for History series, sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law. Designed to highlight history in “a fun and creative way,” according to Museum Executive Director Julie Williams, Beer for History will feature craft brews from Neighborhood Beer Co., D.L. Geary Brewing Company and 7th Settlement.
“Beer for History will have live music, games and magic for kids, and more,” she noted. “The series is our way of opening Exeter up to people from across the region—it will be a lot of fun.”
Beer for History will take place on May 19, June 23 and October 20.
New exhibits, events and educational programming as well as free admission for veterans and their families are made possible by major sponsors. Major sponsors include Two International Group, AutoFair, New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Foy Insurance, Chinburg Properties, Access Sports and RiverWoods.
To learn more about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.
