January 30, 2019
Announcements
Pres. Tom: He scheduled a social for Wed, Feb 27th, in lieu of a meeting. Location to be determined, but it will be a potluck. If you have a candidate you'd like to bring, feel free ... Joan Correl thanked us for the opportunity last week to share her experience on the Cultural Exchange to Kenya. They've raised $6,000 toward continuing their work with the orphanage and are looking for partners (Grants Committee has this) ... July 4th committee's planning continues.
Mark: Continuing to follow (Friends Forever) Chelsea's work in the development of her Belize project.
Russ: Focus of the Mid-Year dinner was the development of a range of membership options (Ann is the chairman of the District committee).
Phil: He has taken on the project of developing free libraries using the $500 grant Pres. Tom put out there for a new member project. Those with a special interest should contact Phil. Bill D volunteered construction plywood; Ric volunteered books.
Bill D: He's getting ready to knock out bluebird houses for the Home Show.
Program:
Emma Bray, Curator at the American Independence Museum in Exeter, came to speak to us about the history, collection and outreach programs of the museum. The museum has two buildings on Water St - the Ladd-Gilman house and the Folsum Tavern. The house dates from 1721 and was the home of Nathaniel Ladd. Ownership passed to Colonel Daniel Gilman, his son Nicholas and later his grandson John Taylor. John occupied the house while serving as the second governor of NH (Exeter was the state capitol for 14 years from 1775).
The AIM was launched at the Ladd-Gilman house in 1991 after 90 years of ownership by the Society of the Cinncinnati. AIM's parent organization consisted of the eldest male descendants of officers (American and French) in Washington's army. The museum's collection includes one of the twenty-six remaining copies of the first edition of the Declaration of Independence which was read to the people of NH at Exeter by John Gilmore on July 16th. It also has a working draft of the Constitution written by John's brother (NH was the 9th state to sign the Constitution which made it law).
The Folsum Tavern in 1775 contained sleeping rooms as well as a restaurant. When Washington ate there, it was located in the middle of town. Two moves later, it arrived at its current location. AIM uses it for all of its public programs whose general purpose is to inspire civic engagement. The focus of its programs is colonial New Hampshire and the American Revolution. It strives, as well, to help fill the gap which has opened up in the historical curricula of our schools. To that end, it ships a Traveling Trunk, filled with historical artifacts along with lesson plans suitable for many grade levels, to schools around the country. As testament to its popularity with teachers, the Trunk is booked every week for the next year.
The museum is open from May through November from 10 AM to 4 PM. It's most significant event is the Festival which is held on the Saturday closest to July 16th.
Megabucks: ca $187
Editor: Ric
