Founded in 1991 as a nonprofit entity and a founding member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, the American Independence Museum in Exeter is celebrating the 300th anniversary of its Ladd-Gilman House this season. Built by Nathaniel Ladd in 1721 as a brick structure in the Georgian style, the house was deeded to Nathaniel’s sons, Elias and Josiah,who shared the house with their respective families. In 1747, Daniel Gilman bought the eastern part of the house from Elias — and in 1752, he added an addition to the eastern side.
“The new addition was constructed with clapboards and the rest of the brick structure was clapboarded to maintain a consistent appearance,” said museum Curator Jennifer Carr, who has conducted extensive research into the structure. By 1777, the entire house belonged to the Gilman family. In the early nineteenth century, the house was again enlarged when John Taylor Gilman had an existing structure moved from another part of town and added to the western side of the house. Possibly used by the Gilmans as a summer kitchen, the addition is now the museum’s gift shop.
In 1902, the house was sold to the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire, and it became their headquarters. The Society added a caretaker’s cottage to the western side of the house, which now serves as the museum’s offices and library.
Today, the Society owns the Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) as well as the 3,000+ objects in the museum’s collection, which includes an original copy of the Declaration of Independence—known as a Dunlap Broadside. “This discovery led to the museum’s formation,” explained museum Executive Director Emma Stratton, who said the Ladd-Gilman House served as the actual home to many influential persons in NH’s initial history.
“It was home to Nicholas Gilman, Jr., a signer of the Constitution, and it also was Governor’s mansion when Nicholas’ brother, John Taylor Gilman, was Governor of New Hampshire,” she added. “Their father, Nicholas Gilman, Sr., served as the state’s first Treasurer.”
According to New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail President Jeff Barraclough, the Ladd-Gilman House is one of many such structures on The Trail. “If you have an interest in architecture and culture—from the mid 1600’s through today—you will find it on The Trail,” he said. “We are excited about the anniversary of the Ladd-Gilman House and invite people to learn more about it.”
Tours of the Ladd-Gilman House are expected to resume September 1, and a 300th birthday celebration is planned for September 17 and 18. To learn more about the American Independence Museum, or Ladd-Gilman House, click here.
The American Independence Museum is one of more than 15 museums on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, which is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Region. Member institutions are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Loudon, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth and Wolfeboro.
Comprised of museums throughout eastern New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail will launch a Trail Passport Program on June 1, which will provide access to all 18 member institutions. “We are excited to launch this program,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “We hope it provides an opportunity for people to see many of the remarkable museums throughout New Hampshire they might not see otherwise.”
Sponsored by the Bank of New Hampshire, the Trail Passport provides buyers with one free admission ticket to each of the museums that are part of the museum trail. Passports (valued at $150) will be sold at all participating museums for only $25. The passport can be used for an entire year starting from the date of purchase and will include brief summaries of the museums, organized by location and category that can be stamped upon entry.
“This is an incredible savings for people,” added Barraclough. “We look forward to seeing new faces this year throughout The Trail.”
Formed in 2014 as a way to share resources and better promote their respective collections, programs and events, The NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Region. Member institutions are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Loudon, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth and Wolfeboro.
In August on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, visitors will enjoy everything from art to walking tours.
Every Thursday during the summer months, the Currier Museum of Art offers special programs for children, youth and families from 11am to 2pm. On Thursday, August 22, Currier Museum of Art in Manchester will conclude its summer-long Art Explorer’s series with “Create your own Mythical Creature.”
The event invites visitors of all ages for drop-in art-making. Materials include: tempera paint, colorful yarn, feathers, googly eyes, gems, sequins, and animal print construction paper.
“Offering a creative and welcoming environment for community members is one of the museum’s priorities,” said Manager of School Tours and Youth Programs Amanda Horrocks. “Programs like Art Explorers does just that by encouraging visitors to engage with art in new ways.”
To learn more about the Currier Museum of Art’s exhibitions and programs, visit currier.org
On Saturday, August 31, Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth Village will host Color from Plants Fiber Dyeing Workshop, which will take participants through the art and craft of fiber dyeing with plants.
“We’re used to the idea that plants are food or pretty things to look at, but so many of our colors come from plants,” said Museum Educator and Herbalist Carol Felice. “To watch as a plant turns fabric a fabulous color is like playing with magic.”
Registration for the workshop closes on August 26. To learn more, visit remickmuseum.org
At Discover Portsmouth in Portsmouth, visitors can enjoy Portsmouth Women’s History Walking Tours every fourth Wednesday and third Friday of the month through October 18.
According to Walking Tour Manager Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf, these 75 minute “engaging tours” take guests through the city’s “many beautiful sites” while providing education on the history of Portsmouth women.
“There are a lot of stories told about men but not many about the strong women of this time,” she said. “We started this tour because we realized women have a lot of untold stories, too.”
To learn more, visit portsmouthhistory.org.
Comprised of 17 museums, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions with stops in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.
