RiverWoods Exeter, a nationally-accredited charitable not-for-profit continuing care retirement community, will sponsor the 32nd American Independence Festival on Saturday, July 16. Presented by the American Independence Museum, the festival features a Traditional Artisans Village, historic reenactors, activities, and the opportunity to view one of 26 remaining copies of an original print of the Declaration of Independence.

Regarding the sponsorship, Interim Executive Director Jennifer Carr referred to RiverWoods Exeter as “an integral part of this annual festival.” “They have been part of this festival for years, so it’s wonderful to have them contribute again to a celebration of our nation’s history and the Exeter community,” she said.

Referring to the festival as “one of the most unique and truly special summer celebrations offered on the Seacoast,” Deb Riddell, Executive Director of RiverWoods Exeter, said they are “thrilled” to again support it. She said supporting the festival stems from RiverWoods Exeter’s founders, two Seacoast area women who wove a commitment to the local community into the fabric of their founding principles

“RiverWoods Exeter is not just a business located within the borders of the town,” she explained. “We are a neighborhood of nearly 600 engaged citizens, many of whom are active in the local community and care deeply about the Town of Exeter. They volunteer locally in many capacities, and feel a sense of civic duty and pride about our town.”

According to Carr, inspiring civic duty is one of the primary objectives of the museum itself. “We want visitors of any age to walk away from the festival, or any event or program here, and consider more deeply their responsibility as citizens,” she said. “A democracy works better when its citizens are engaged.”

To learn more about the 32nd annual American Independence Festival, visit https://www.independencemuseum.org/AIMstaging/american-independence-festival/.

About the American Independence Museum

Located in Exeter, NH, the American Independence Museum features a rare collection of historic artifacts that shed light on the Revolutionary War. Examples of popular items in our exhibits include a dragoon pistol, brown bess musket, and 18th century powder horn. Many of our programs offer insight into civic duties, civic engagement and civic responsibility, while we also feature a variety of things to do in NH, such as camps for kids, festivals, summer festival, reenactments, and homeschool programs. Perfect for a day trip or weekend trips, we believe in inclusivity and inclusive history and the spirit behind the phrase, ‘we the people’.