Recently, our own Mike Welch provided some tips and analysis on all things related to re-enacting in our Lunch and Learn Series, which is presented by People’s United Bank, who share in our commitment to educating the community and providing enrichment opportunities for all. Thanks to EXTV for filming and sharing this lecture.
Education and community are very important to the American Independence Museum, which are values shared by People’s United Bank and the reason behind their recent $1,000 financial contribution to support its Educational Lecture Series.
Comprised of both “Lunch and Learn” and “Evening Tavern” Talks, the series features renowned historians and authors as they discuss unique topics that shed light on lesser known aspects of American history. The next talk in the free series (8/16) is “Collecting John Paul Jones: America’s First Action Hero,” presented by J. Dennis Robinson.
“Everyone knows his name, but few know the true story behind John Paul Jones,” said Events Manager Victoria Su. “What’s interesting is that America first rejected him, but then used his name and image to sell everything from whiskey and cigarettes and women’s clothing. His name and image were even used to recruit for the U.S. Navy.”
In commenting on why People’s United Bank elected to support the remaining lectures in the series, Marc Ouellette, Vice President and Senior Market Manager, cited their intent.
“Education is very important to us,” said Ouellette, who will provide prefatory remarks at each talk. “While our expertise is in financial education, education in its purest sense enhances a community and the lives of its residents…We believe in the museum and its overarching mission to inspire civic engagement.”
Expressing gratitude at the partnership with People’s United Bank, museum Executive Director Emma Bray said the series has been designed to engage people of all ages.
“These are short, informative, engaging talks,” she added. “We are really grateful to work with People’s United Bank to present the rest of this series.”
Remaining talks include: “When Shipping Was King: The Piscataqua Region in Colonial America” on September 21; “Secrets of the American Independence Museum: Collection Close-Up” on November 7; and “Your Most Important Role in a Democracy: Thinking for Yourself” on November 16.
Due to limited space, email [email protected] to pre-register for a seat. There is no cost to attend these lectures.
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.
To learn more about Foy Insurance, visit www.foyinsurance.com. To learn more about the museum, or to inquire about its Business Partner program, visit www.independencemuseum.org.
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.