AIM thanks community and sponsors for successful celebration
Built in 1721, the Ladd-Gilman House was home to Nicholas Gilman, Jr., a signer of the Constitution. It also served as Governor’s mansion when Nicholas’ brother, John Taylor Gilman, was Governor. Their father—Nicholas Gilman, Sr.—was the state’s first Treasurer.
“The celebration was well attended and supported by so many sponsors, new and returning,” noted Executive Director Emma Stratton, who said the event raised more than $15,000.
“The proceeds support our continued focus on developing inclusive programs, events and exhibits that meaningfully connect the past with the present,” she added.
Major sponsors of the celebration included Plaistow Oral Surgery, DiTolla Dental, and Foss Motors.
In addition to a silent auction, food and drink, and live music from the Midnight Wrens, the celebration presented visitors with a rare glimpse of the museum’s original Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence, one of only 26 known to still exist. The copy arrived in Exeter by horseback on July 16, 1776 at which time the state treasurer’s 22-year-old son, John Taylor Gilman, read the document to the residents of Exeter from the town house steps.
“It was incredible to share this document with the community on this special occasion,” said Stratton.
To learn more about the museum, 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.
