family friendly - American Independence Museum

Community Day: Stories We Tell

by jen | Aug 12, 2021

Community Day 9/18 Stories we tell... words we share

Visit the museum for free on September 18 through Smithsonian Museum Day

Join us for a community day honoring the power of words and fun for all ages! Stop by the grounds of the Folsom Tavern from 10 am- 4 pm for a day full of storytelling, music, and hands-on activities. The day will feature a packed schedule of presentations by local authors, storytellers and musicians, as well as vendor tables featuring local authors and storytellers.

Event Schedule:
10:30 Blame it on Revere story time and art activity
11:30 Revolutionary Story Time- Brick by Brick
12:15 Renay Allen, Fiction Writing as Activism
1:00 Revolutionary Story Time- Equality’s Call read by Congressman Pappas
1:45 Jeff Warner, Songs of Old New Hampshire

This event is made possible thanks to the following sponsor:

A New Look for the Independence Museum Lawn

by jen | Aug 5, 2021 | Governance, Partnerships

The main lawn of the American Independence Museum is undergoing a major renovation project. After celebrating a successful Independence Festival, work immediately began to create a larger campus between the museum’s two buildings in order to facilitate more community events on museum grounds.

This work is part of a larger multi-year drainage and grounds work project that began in 2019. Plans include leveling a large portion of the Folsom Lawn, extending pathways connecting the Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern, and a new set of granite stairs. This preservation work was able to move forward thanks to an in-kind donation of labor by Sargent.

“We at Sargent are proud to take a part in improving access to the long and proud heritage the American Independence Museum affords our citizens and visitors, especially at such an important time in our country’s introspection about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” said Sargent CEO Herb Sargent.

Work is expected to be completed by the beginning of September in advance of the 300th-anniversary celebrations of the Ladd-Gilman House. The new outdoor space will host a silent auction and birthday party on the evening of Friday, September 17 and family-friendly activities during a community celebration on Saturday, September 18.

“We are extremely grateful to Sargent for completing the work in time to celebrate our anniversaries with our community. Sargent’s generosity ensures the preservation and growth of the American Independence Museum. We look forward to welcoming the public to our anniversary events in September.”

Once the leveling project is complete, work will continue on foundation repairs and drainage improvements around the campus. The museum remains open to the public during construction.

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.

Newburyport Bank sponsors overnight Family Camp Out

by jen | Jul 19, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly, Festival, Living History, Programming

The final event of the 2021 American Independence Festival, the Family Camp Out, is made possible thanks to Newburyport Bank.

The Family Camp Out will begin on Saturday, July 24 at 7 p.m. and extend overnight until 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 25. The Acton Minutemen, a patriot reenactment group, will accompany families overnight and lead various family friendly activities.

Event highlights will include a lantern tour of the Folsom Tavern, 18th century campfire cooking demonstrations, a morning muster with the Acton Minutemen, and camping out under the stars. This popular event has already sold out.

“We’re so extremely proud to support the American Independence Museum’s Family Camp Out,” noted Newburyport Bank President & CEO Lloyd L. Hamm. “It’s quintessential Americana with families getting together under the stars to play games, sing songs, make crafts, and so much more to celebrate our proud history. It’s one of those memories that lasts a lifetime and we’re so happy to play a small part in making it happen.”

Celebrating the arrival of the Declaration of Independence in Exeter on July 16, 1776, the American Independence Festival features a variety of entertainment, including music, military demonstrations, traditional artisan working village, and more. Sponsored by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, this year’s festival includes in-person events spanning the month of July.

To learn more, 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.