Exeter Revolution Goes Green

What’s red, white and green and coming to Exeter? The 20^th annual American Independence Festival will be held on Saturday, July 17 from 10 am to 5 pm. That same evening there will live music by The Amorphous at 6:45 and a star-spangled fireworks display at 8:45 p.m. (Continued below)

Stephanie Rohwer, who coordinates the American Independence Museum’s signature event, announced the plans for the annual festival.

"This year we wanted to focus on the abundant natural resources that were a key factor in the development and success of the Great Bay Area, so our theme is "Red, White and Green!"

Traditional Artisans will help visitors understand the link between the resources, trade, and prosperity. Guides and role players will connect the flourishing commerce in Exeter and New Hampshire to Revolutionary political involvement and action.

Washington Passing through Exeter

The Gilman family, for example, were successful merchants and very politically active. Nicholas Gilman Sr. was the Treasurer of New Hampshire. His son John Taylor Gilman was both a State Representative and later Governor, serving a total of fourteen years. His youngest son, Nicholas Jr., was a Captain in the Continental Army, and served on General Washington’s staff. Junior was also a United States Representative and worked on and fought for the ratification of the United States Constitution.

"We’ll go green in other ways as well," Rohwer says. "We printed our festival programs on recycled paper and are encouraging folks to take the Downeaster or carpool into town, or locals to walk to the festival, to recycle their programs, cans, bottles and trash in the receptacles provided by the Town of Exeter and Northside Carting."

Gail Colglazier, the museum’s executive director added, "We encourage Exeter-area residents to stay local and celebrate this town’s revolutionary past and its thriving future. There are so many community-wide events planned that day, such as the strawberry festival at the First Baptist Church, the crafts fair at Town Hall, that it’s really Exeter’s day to shine."

An admission fee of $7 will cover all events on the museum grounds and buildings and on Swasey Parkway. Those under 10 years of age and museum members are admitted free. All the details about the festival are available on the Festival page of the museum’s website (bottom of page).

The festival kicks off with the traditional Water Street promenade by George Washington and his escorts from Folsom Tavern; following his remarks, exciting news of the Declaration of Independence will be delivered on horseback to John Taylor Gilman, portrayed by Bob Kilham. At 2 p.m. the popular battle portrayal will take place on Swasey Parkway.

Throughout the day, festival visitors can try their hand at various traditional crafts, meet and learn from historic role players, tour both the Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern, watch military maneuvers, learn the minuet, and enjoy colonial games and other children’s crafts, as well as meet local artists and craftspeople. The highlight for many is the public viewing of the original Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence as well as Gilman’s draft copy of the United States Constitution.

A limited number of spaces are left for artists, crafters, or non-profit organizations wishing to participate. If interested, please call 603-772-2622, email Stephanie Rohwer at AIM or download the Vendor Form at the web site. There is a table fee and certain restrictions regarding what non-profits may sell as a fundraiser; no additional food vendors are needed at this time.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE link here

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