festival - American Independence Museum

Go Behind the Scenes with an Architectural Tour

by jen | Nov 3, 2021 | Tours

They sure don’t build them like they used to. The American Independence Museum is providing visitors with a peek “behind the scenes” to see how their two 18th century properties have weathered the challenges of time.

“Over time the architecture of our buildings changed to match the needs of those living here and to fit popular styles. We are excited to explore those changes in our architecture tours and give guests an opportunity to see areas of the museum that are rarely open to the public,” said museum Curator Jennifer Carr.

Among many interesting historical footnotes, the ca. 1721 Ladd-Gilman House was home to NH’s longest-serving Governor, John Taylor Gilman, who served in such capacity off and on for 14 years from 1794 to 1816. In 1985, a Dunlap Broadside, the first official printing of the Declaration of Independence, was re-discovered in its attic.

Originally built in the center of downtown Exeter where Me & Ollies exists today, the ca. 1775 Folsom Tavern is now “down the hill” from the Ladd-Gilman House and boasts a unique history of its own. In addition to where the New Hampshire Chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati was founded in 1783, Folsom Tavern welcomed George Washington in 1789 where he “partook in a collation” served by the Folsom family.

Architecture tours take place on Fridays at 12:30 and 2 p.m. through November 19.

Due to the historic nature of both buildings, they are not handicap accessible. Tickets are $10 for non-members and $5 for members. Pre-registration is recommended, masks are required.

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.

UNH BrewLab to headline next Beer for History

by jen | Oct 23, 2021 | Beer for History, Events, For Adults

On the heels of a successful kickoff in October with Pipe Dream Brewing from Londonderry, Beer for History, sponsored by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, will welcome UNH BrewLab on Thursday, November 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. Featuring craft beer, colonial-inspired games and trivia, Beer for History is appropriate for all ages.

“It takes place outside on our Folsom Tavern Lawn, so there is plenty of space for families with kids to enjoy late autumn in Exeter,” noted museum Executive Director Emma Stratton. “There will also be tents and campfires, so it will be a very festive environment.”

At this Beer for History, UNH BrewLab is expected to bring three beers, including “Harvest Thyme Brown Ale,” which is brewed using the ‘unloved’ bread ends from the UNH dining hall fresh baked bread. The thyme added to the beer comes from the Farm To You NH program, a student-run farm on campus.

“Stormy Seas Oatmeal Stout” is a full bodied oatmeal stout with dark roasty notes and a hint of sweet aroma from local maple syrup additions. Local oats give it a nice smooth creaminess. A hoppy farmhouse style beer, “Wildcat Wheat” is brewed with wheat and orange peels and dry hopped with Citra hops, which elicit ‘sweet aromas.’

“You will also get the chance to talk with some of the student brewers,” noted Stratton, who said the purpose behind Beer for History is two-fold.

“We want to get people excited about history and the programs we offer, but we also want to be a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike,” she added. “Beer for History has always been a place where everyone can gather and have a terrific time.”

Beer for History with UNH BrewLab takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 4 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.

To purchase tickets visit https://www.independencemuseum.org/AIMstaging/event/beer-for-history-unh/

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 jen | 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 jen | 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.

AIM to offer Homeschool Days

by jen | Oct 4, 2021 | Events, Family Friendly, For Kids, Homeschool, Programming

On Friday, October 15 and 22, the American Independence Museum in Exeter will host Homeschool Days, a program geared to kids, ages 6 to 11. During the 90-minute program, kids will grapple with the “tricky decision” regarding their stance on the Revolutionary War.

“Would they be a patriot, loyalist, neutral, or something else?” noted museum Executive Director Emma Stratton. “It was not an easy decision for British citizens in the 1770s.”

According to Stratton, a deeper objective behind the program is to spark curiosity in both students and parents.

“Political debates are often reduced to two sides, which oversimplifies the reality of human experience,” she said. “We hope to encourage participants to think about how some of the challenges faced by people in the 1770s have a direct connection to events taking place today.”

Homeschool Days will take place on Friday, October 15 and 22 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the museum’s Folsom Tavern in downtown Exeter.

“Four sessions of this program are offered twice on each Friday, so families have multiple opportunities to access it based on their schedules,” added Stratton.

The cost for the program is $5 for adults, $8 for students over 6, and free for children under 6 years of age. The program fee includes a pass to visit the museum after the program or another day.

Weather permitting, the program will take place under a tent outside Folsom Tavern. Masks will be required indoors, and parents must accompany the program with their child(ren).

To register online, or learn more about the museum, visit Homeschool Days Events.

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.