by rob | Sep 28, 2016 | Uncategorized
Founding partner in Lynch, Brewer, Hoffman & Fink, LLP, a Boston-based law firm, Alan Hoffman will speak on the role Lafayette played as a symbol of Franco-American friendship at the American Independence Museum’s next evening lecture on October 4. President of The American Friends of Lafayette as well as The Massachusetts Lafayette Society, Hoffman has also translated Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825 by Auguste Levasseur.
In commenting on what attendees can expect at the lecture, Hoffman referenced Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the following at the beginning of his song “Guns and Ships” in the hit, hip-hop Broadway musical Hamilton:
How does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower
Somehow defeat a global superpower?
How do we emerge victorious from the quagmire?
Leave the battlefield waving Betsy Ross’ flag higher?
Yo. Turns out we have a secret weapon!
An immigrant you know and love who’s unafraid to step in!
He’s constantly confusin’, confoundin’ the British henchmen
Ev’ryone give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman!
Lafayette!
“Those words provide—albeit poetically—the backdrop for my discussion, which will cover Lafayette’s role in the Revolution and how he eventually became the most popular man in America,” said Hoffman. “It’s an interesting story that spans well over 200 years of history.”
Expressing excitement at his upcoming lecture, Museum Education manager Abigail Pietrantonio said the entire series has been “a resounding success” in 2016.
“Even though these are free lectures, I don’t think any of us thought they would command the sort of attention they have drawn,” she said. “Mr. Hoffman is well known for his expert knowledge on Lafayette, and so I expect a full house and lively discussions to follow.”
Aimée Sundstrom, marketing manager at Service Credit Union, a major Museum sponsor in 2016-2017, said the lecture series is important in that it sheds light on many facets of America’s revolutionary history.
“These lectures are great because they dig deep into aspects of American history that many people may not know about,” she said. “We are very impressed at the success of the series and look forward to Mr. Hoffman’s presentation.”
Scheduled for 7 pm on Tuesday, October 4 on the second floor of the Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, the Lecture is made possible by generous support from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.
Pre-registration is required for this free lecture. Please contact Abby Pietrantonio at [email protected].
by rob | Sep 20, 2016 | Uncategorized
Americans have long revered their pint of beer, which underscores the popularity of the American Independence Museum’s Beer for History series in Exeter and one of the reasons Moat Mountain Brewing Co. recently joined the lineup.
“I am really excited to be part of this event with so many other great breweries and people—it should be a lot of fun,” said Sales Manager Brian Dalke of Moat Mountain Brewing Co. “There is nothing wrong with having a beer for history.”
The next Beer for History takes place at the Museum’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, on Thursday, October 20 from 5 pm to 8 pm. Moat Mountain Brewing Co. will be joined by Granite State Growler Tours, Neighborhood Beer Co. (NHBC), 7th Settlement, D.L. Geary Brewing Company and possibly others.
NHBC’s Joe Berwanger said they plan to pour their Granite Acorn Autumn Lager, which is a higher-alcohol, super malty version of the iconic harvest Märzen-style Oktoberfest. “It’s extremely smooth and crisp,” he added. “It’s the perfect complement to autumn itself.”
Beer for History is sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law of Portsmouth.
“We have enjoyed ourselves at the first two events and look forward to another great time,” said Kevin Baum, attorney at the firm. “It’s a wonderful community event and a terrific way to enjoy the museum grounds.”
In addition to beer and light snacks, the event will feature live colonial tavern-style music and games for kids. “It’s definitely worth the trip from Maine,” said Geary Brewing’s Tim Turner. “I’ve discovered Exeter is a pretty classic New England town. It’s been fun.”
Tickets are $30 and include light appetizers, samplings of beer, and more. Members of the Museum may purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $25. Kids are free. To buy tickets, visit https://www.independencemuseum.org/AIMstaging/beer-for-history/.
by rob | Sep 8, 2016 | Uncategorized
Open for 6 years, The Fabulous Find in Kittery has given away more than $870,000 to local nonprofits, which continues to delight new recipients, including the American Independence Museum in Exeter.
“We were elated to hear of our selection,” said Museum Executive Director Julie Williams. “It is amazing what they have been able to do for the greater Seacoast community.”
The Fabulous Find is a boutique style resale shop that partners with different local non-profit organizations monthly. In addition to the American Independence Museum, the Children’s Museum of NH and Seacoast Family Promises will also share profits from September sales at the shop. On September 10 at 8:30 am, The Fabulous Find will host a coffee reception to disburse monies to August beneficiaries as well as introduce September’s agencies.
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 Fabulous Find, visit www.thefabulousfind.org.
by rob | Aug 25, 2016 | Uncategorized
Featuring more than 2,000 items in its collection, the need to preserve them is critical, which makes the American Independence Museum’s recent $5,000 grant award so important. Granted by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the award will enable the Museum to restore, digitize and safely house 4 rare historical artifacts as well as purchase materials required for new archival storage methods for hundreds of other items in the collection.
Museum Executive Director Julie Williams referred to the grant award as “an important piece to a long-term preservation plan.”
“With an eye toward future sustainability both in terms of our collection and the Museum itself, we need to take steps to ensure our artifacts may be enjoyed for future generations,” she said. “This grant award helps protect 4 key items in our collection and lay the groundwork for future projects—I cannot thank the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution enough.”
Susan O’Leary, immediate past regent for the Exeter DAR Chapter and current ambassador at the Museum, said she was honored to sponsor the Special Grants Application.
“Chapter recognition of the importance of the Museum’s two anchor properties, the Folsom Tavern and the Ladd-Gilman House, dates back to 1901 when our young chapter presented slate tablets to both to honor their significance to local and state history,” she said. “This grant will help assure that the Museum will educate and serve the region into the future.”
The 4 items that will be preserved include: A letter handwritten and signed by George Washington in Mount Vernon to General Henry Knox in New York; handwritten letter from George Washington to General John Sullivan; “A Compendium of Military Duty, adapted for the Militia of the United States” by Jonathan Rawson, Esq., late aid de camp to General Sullivan; and an engraved book plate that belonged to George Washington.
“These items are among some of the most significant in our collection,” added Williams. “They are delicate and require expert handling by outside consultants—it will be very exciting to see these items in all their restored glory.”
Founded in 1991 with the strength and guidance of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire, the Exeter Community and the State of New Hampshire, the American Independence Museum is a place where all can learn and celebrate what it took to create the freedoms that Americans enjoy hundreds of years later.
Learn more about the American Independence Museum at www.independencemuseum.org.
-the end-
by rob | Aug 16, 2016 | Uncategorized
Having previously supported as well as worked with the American Independence Museum on previous projects through the years, Service Credit Union has invested $2,500 to support the American Independence Museum.
According to Marketing Manager Aimée Sundstrom, the investment reflects something fundamental that is shared by both organizations.
“A member of the local community since 1957, Service Credit Union is a part of Seacoast history,” she said. “We support the American Independence Museum, because it brings the very beginning of this region’s history to life in a very unique way.”
Noting they also “greatly appreciate” the Museum’s concern for veterans/active military and their families by providing them with free admission, Sundstrom said Service Credit Union is particularly in support children’s education programs at the Museum.
“If we can help educate kids on the importance of American history right from its very beginnings, I believe we can make a profound difference on their understanding of civic engagement and social responsibility.”
She said it is this idea of social responsibility that drives Service Credit Union’s philosophy of community engagement.
“Our first commandment is to ‘serve those who serve,’” she said. “In recent years, we have expanded this notion to include a very systematic approach to corporate giving to area nonprofits to make a bigger impact.”
For Museum Executive Director Julie Williams, this impact has been felt across the agency.
“As a nonprofit, we have razor thin margins and rely on building partnerships with organizations whose charitable interests align with our mission,” she said. “Service Credit Union has been a terrific partner in the past, and so to join us at this level of investment is really profound and quite meaningful.”
Serving more than 1600 children from schools throughout New Hampshire, the American Independence Museum works directly with educators to offer specific programs that complement the classroom experience. “We bring in experienced colonial re-enactors as well as others who can demonstrate colonial trades—we want to create memorable experiences for all our visitors,” Williams added.
Founded in 1991, the American Independence Museum is a place where visitors can learn and celebrate what it took to create the freedoms Americans continue to enjoy today. The Museum is also part of the NH Heritage Trail. To learn more about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.
