American Independence Museum
Encyclopedia
The American Independence Museum is located in Exeter
, New Hampshire
. Its 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) campus includes the Ladd-Gilman House
(1721), a registered National Historic Landmark
, and the Folsom Tavern (c.1775).
The museum's mission is to be a place for study and interpretation of the American Revolution
and the role that New Hampshire, Exeter, and the Gilman family played in the founding of the United States. Here visitors learn how ordinary people helped create a nation "with liberty and justice for all."
was found in the Ladd-Gilman House. Established in 1991, the American Independence Museum celebrates this rare document and the founding principles of the United States
. Included in the museum's collection of historical artifacts are two rare drafts of the U.S. Constitution
and a Badge of Military Merit
(the original Purple Heart
), awarded by General George Washington
to soldiers demonstrating extraordinary bravery. In addition, the museum houses a large collection of period furniture, archives and military artifacts.
Ladd-Gilman House
The Ladd-Gilman House was the home of an 18th century merchant family whose members played key roles in the birth of the United States. Nicholas Gilman, Sr., served as New Hampshire state treasurer during the American Revolution. Eldest son John Taylor Gilman
read the Declaration of Independence to citizens of Exeter and later became New Hampshire governor. Nicholas Gilman, Jr. was a signer of the U.S. Constitution. In the early 20th century, under the ownership of the Society of the Cincinnati
in the State of New Hampshire, the Ladd-Gilman House became one of the first house museums open to the public.
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. Its 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) campus includes the Ladd-Gilman House
Ladd-Gilman House
Ladd-Gilman House, also known as Cincinnati Memorial Hall, is a house in Exeter, New Hampshire. The home was built about 1721 by Nathaniel Ladd as one of the state's first brick houses, and was subsequently clapboarded three decades later. The home was purchased in in 1747 by Col. Nathaniel Gilman,...
(1721), a registered National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, and the Folsom Tavern (c.1775).
The museum's mission is to be a place for study and interpretation of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
and the role that New Hampshire, Exeter, and the Gilman family played in the founding of the United States. Here visitors learn how ordinary people helped create a nation "with liberty and justice for all."
Collections
In 1985, a Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of IndependenceUnited States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
was found in the Ladd-Gilman House. Established in 1991, the American Independence Museum celebrates this rare document and the founding principles of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Included in the museum's collection of historical artifacts are two rare drafts of the U.S. Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
and a Badge of Military Merit
Badge of Military Merit
The Badge of Military Merit is considered the first military award of the United States Armed Forces. Although the Fidelity Medallion is older, after being issued to three soldiers for a specific event in 1780 it was never awarded again, so the Badge of Military Merit is often considered the oldest...
(the original Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
), awarded by General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
to soldiers demonstrating extraordinary bravery. In addition, the museum houses a large collection of period furniture, archives and military artifacts.
Programming
The museum hosts a variety of public programs, the largest of which, the American Independence Festival held in July of each year, actively engages thousands of visitors in the nation's 18th century heritage. Each September the museum hosts a Constitution Forum. The Museum also hosts various children's programs throughout the year.Ladd-Gilman HouseLadd-Gilman HouseLadd-Gilman House, also known as Cincinnati Memorial Hall, is a house in Exeter, New Hampshire. The home was built about 1721 by Nathaniel Ladd as one of the state's first brick houses, and was subsequently clapboarded three decades later. The home was purchased in in 1747 by Col. Nathaniel Gilman,...
The Ladd-Gilman House was the home of an 18th century merchant family whose members played key roles in the birth of the United States. Nicholas Gilman, Sr., served as New Hampshire state treasurer during the American Revolution. Eldest son John Taylor GilmanJohn Taylor Gilman
John Taylor Gilman was a farmer, shipbuilder, and statesman from Exeter, New Hampshire. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress in 1782-1783 and was Governor of New Hampshire for 14 years, from 1794 to 1805, and from 1813 to 1816.Gilman was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, to a...
read the Declaration of Independence to citizens of Exeter and later became New Hampshire governor. Nicholas Gilman, Jr. was a signer of the U.S. Constitution. In the early 20th century, under the ownership of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
in the State of New Hampshire, the Ladd-Gilman House became one of the first house museums open to the public.