2022 Season
The American Independence Museum opens on !
Museum Hours (May- November)
Tours depart from Ladd-Gilman House
Wed – Sat: 10am – 4pm
Last entry at 3:30 p.m.
Admission Prices
Adults $8
Seniors, Students, Educators & First Responders $6
Children ages 6-18 $4
Children under 6 $0
Active/Retired Military and Veterans $0
Museum Members, Library Passes or Time Travelers $0
Ladd-Gilman House
These tours will take visitors through a docent-led exploration of important moments in our nation’s history, as seen through the lens of New Hampshire, and untold stories from voices beyond the battlefield.
Guided Tours
Wed-Sat: 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm.
Self-Guided Tours
Anytime during museum open hours. Last entry is at 3:30 p.m.
Folsom Tavern
Guided tours examine the place taverns held in colonial and revolutionary history and the different experiences people had in taverns. This is an immersive, sensory-friendly tour and is recommended for all ages.
Guided Tours
Wed-Sat: 11 am & 1 pm
The Folsom Tavern is currently open for guided tours only.
Note to Visitors: Tickets can be purchased at the door. Last admission for self-guided tours is at 3:30 p.m. Masks are required indoors. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to provide a safe and educational experience for you!
What we offer
Private group tours are available to any group with over 10 attendees. Tours will be led by our trained docent and include a tour of Ladd-Gilman house (60 minutes) and Folsom Tavern (20 minutes). We recommend that you allow a minimum of 90 minutes for your guided tour to provide ample time for guests to gather and travel between both buildings. Group tours may be arranged anytime during our open hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm. Please note that group tours are only offered April – November.
Group Tour Add-Ons
Tavern Lunch
Lunch will be arranged by the Museum and set up in the Folsom Tavern for your convenience. Typical bagged lunch includes sandwich, chips, cookie and a drink. We work with local, professional caterers to arrange your lunch.
Tavern Light Breakfast
Come and eat where George Washington had breakfast! A light breakfast will be arranged by the Museum, set up in the Folsom Tavern for your convenience. Coffee, tea, juice, and an assortment of breakfast pastries will be provided from local Exeter shops.
After Hours Group Tours
Offered either 8-10 am or 4-6 pm, this tour will provide your group with exclusive access to the Museum before or after the building is open to the general public. These tours will focus on the Ladd-Gilman House and will last around 60 minutes – perfect for a quick group outing or part of a corporate activity.
Architecture Tours
Learn about the evolution of the buildings, decorative styles, and architectural features that make them unique. Put your thinking cap on while you look for clues around the rooms, closets and attics.
Inside Look
Event Rentals
Rent History!
All event rentals have a two-hour minimum and eight-hour maximum, unless otherwise noted. All events must end by 10 pm. Maximum of 50 guests permitted in Folsom Tavern. The Tavern’s Assembly Room can hold a maximum of 30 seated guests. The Tavern’s Small Meeting Room can accommodate up to 18 seated guests. Due to the historic nature of our building, the Tavern is not handicap accessible.
*Local and small 501c3 rate has a one-hour minimum with a four-hour maximum– may reserve only during Museum open hours or weekday evenings, dependent on Museum schedule.
Event Inquiries
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
No. Currently, tickets for both guided and self-guided tours are available for purchase at the door on a first come, first served basis.
What types of tours do you offer?
When will the Ladd-Gilman House reopen?
We reopened on September 1. The house is open for both guided and self guided tours.
Where can I find parking?
For visits to Folsom Tavern, we recommend that you park on Water Street. There is free two-hour on street parking. The museum’s parking lot on Spring Street is currently occupied by heavy machinery to accommodate our groundwork.
For visits to the Ladd-Gilman House, we reccomend parking in our parking lot at the very end of Governor’s Lane. Please note, the entrance to our parking lot is after the bank parking lot.
Where do tours begin?
All tours begin at the Ladd-Gilman House at 1 Governor’s Lane, the yellow house on the hill. The main entrance to the museum faces the People’s Bank parking lot.
What is happening to the museum lawn?
We are regrading our lawn to add in a pathway and steps to connect our two buildings and create a usable outdoor program space. This work is expected to be completed by early August. In mid September, phase two of the work will begin that will assist with drainage on our property. We will tie in the gutters from the Ladd-Gilman House on the hill to the stone retaining wall at the bottom of the hill to prevent further erosion from rainwater runoff.
Where can I see the Dunlap Broadside?
A copy of the Dunlap Broadside is currently on view in the Ladd-Gilman House. The original is stored in a secure, off-site location and is typically on display during our American Independence Festival and other important events throughout the year. We are actively working to improve the security and climate control in our buildings so this rare document can be displayed on site.
What’s in Folsom Tavern?
What’s in Ladd-Gilman House?
The Ladd-Gilman House was built in 1721 as a private residence and now serves as a history museum. Throughout our two floors of exhibits, you will find hundreds of objects that tell the story of New Hampshire and its citizens throughout the colonial era.
Are your structures accessible?
The Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern are almost 300 years old historic buildings. The buildings are not easily accessible to those in wheelchairs or using walkers. To request a ramp for Folsom Tavern access, please notify staff in advance of your arrival. The Tavern’s second floor is only accessible by stairs and many rooms have narrow doorways. Please call (603) 772-2622 for more information or any questions you might have about on-site accessibility.
