Discover Revolutionary Exeter: Tours, Education & Events

Explore Ladd-Gilman House, Folsom Tavern, homeschool programs, and the annual American Independence Festival in Exeter, NH.

Featured Tours & Experiences

Guided and self-guided tours, homeschool programs, camps, and seasonal events designed for learners and history enthusiasts.

About the American Independence Museum

American Independence Museum in Exeter, New Hampshire preserves and interprets the region's pivotal role in the American Revolution and early republic. Located in historic downtown Exeter, the museum operates in restored buildings including Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern, offering guided and self-guided tours, educational programs for homeschoolers, seasonal events, and community festivals. The museum's exhibits and programs focus on primary-source interpretation, material culture, and diverse perspectives—including Patriots, Loyalists, Neutrals, and Abenaki histories—so visitors encounter a broad view of 18th-century life.

Programs range from sensory-friendly guided tours of Folsom Tavern to hands-on mini camps that illustrate colonial trades, waterways studies that connect ecology with history, and workshops that help families record personal legacies. Special events such as Beer for History bring community partnerships with regional brewers and cultural presenters, while the annual American Independence Festival commemorates the arrival of the Declaration of Independence with free public activities.

The museum works with local historians, schools, and affiliated organizations to develop curriculum-aligned offerings for learners of all ages. Accessibility and inclusion are emphasized through sensory-friendly options and interpretive materials. Archival collections, period rooms, and documented restoration practices support research and community learning. As a nonprofit cultural institution rooted in preserved historic structures and documented programming, the American Independence Museum provides trustworthy, evidence-based experiences for visitors seeking informed and engaging encounters with early American history.

On-site staff and trained volunteers follow documented interpretive standards, and the museum collaborates with regional archives, universities, and cultural partners to maintain scholarly integrity, community relevance, and ongoing outreach.

Location

Exeter, NH

Historic downtown site

Historic Tavern

Folsom Tavern 1775

Tavern established in 1775

Programs Offered

10 experiences

Tours, camps, workshops, events

American Independence Museum — Exeter, NH: Historic Tours, Education & Events

The American Independence Museum in Exeter offers a variety of historic tours, educational programs, and community events focused on the American Revolution and early national period. Located in downtown Exeter, the museum interprets preserved structures such as the Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern (est. 1775), and presents curriculum-aligned experiences for learners of all ages.

Key experiences and tours

Folsom Tavern Guided Tour — Sensory-friendly exploration of a 1775 tavern, focusing on colonial social life and revolutionary context.
Ladd-Gilman House Self-Guided Tour — Period rooms and documented restoration work that illuminate political and domestic life in New Hampshire.
Value Visit: Ladd-Gilman House & Folsom Tavern Guided Tour — Combined interpretation highlighting Exeter’s civic and commercial role in early America.
Working in the 18th Century Mini Camp — Hands-on colonial trades, trading, and role-play for youth.
Homeschool Programs — Focused sessions such as Multiple Perspectives: Patriots & Loyalists and Waterways for Homeschoolers designed for ages 5 and up.

Educational focus and curriculum alignment

The museum emphasizes primary sources, material culture, and multiple perspectives, helping visitors and students analyze historical evidence. Homeschool programs are structured to meet educational objectives while promoting critical thinking about Revolutionary-era choices and regional environmental history.

Special events and community partnerships

Special programming includes Beer for History events in partnership with regional brewers such as von Trapp Brewing and the UNH Brewing Science Laboratory, featuring panels, live music, and local food. The American Independence Festival, held each July 13th in downtown Exeter, is a free community commemoration featuring demonstrations, family activities, and local partners.

Why the American Independence Museum matters

Authentic historic sites: Preserved 18th-century buildings provide tangible context.
Range of programming: Tours, workshops, camps, and festivals serve diverse audiences.
Inclusion and accessibility: Sensory-friendly options and documented interpretive standards.
Community and scholarly ties: Collaborations with archives, universities, and cultural organizations support research and public history.

Plan a visit

Located in Exeter, New Hampshire, the museum offers guided and self-guided tours, homeschool programming, and seasonal events. Check the museum calendar for tour times, Beer for History nights, and the American Independence Festival. Visitors interested in researched, evidence-based history will find accessible interpretation, archival resources, and community-focused learning at the American Independence Museum.

Keywords: American Independence Museum, Exeter NH, Folsom Tavern, Ladd-Gilman House, historic tours, homeschool programs, Beer for History, American Independence Festival, 18th-century history, sensory-friendly tours.

Plan a Visit to Historic Exeter

Book guided tours, check the event calendar for Beer for History nights and the American Independence Festival, and explore educational programs for homeschoolers.