HISTORY NEWS

Replica created by 90-year old Exeter resident. Folsom Tavern has been moved several times since it was built by Colonel Samuel Folsom in 1775, but it will be lot easier to relocate the new dollhouse version, created by David Warner, a 90-year old resident of RiverWoods in Exeter. Warner, a skilled woodworker, learned of the AmericanIndependence Museum’s desire to have a dollhouse of Folsom Tavern, one of the buildings on the campus of the revolutionary-era focused site.  (Continued below)

“Nancy County is one of our volunteers, and offered to approach David about building a 1/12 replica of the historic tavern,” said Julie Tiebout, the museum’s Marketing and Development Director.  “They came by the next day, took some measurements, and David was off and running with the project!  He worked a few hours each day and we are delighted with the result.  It’s a playable dollhouse, meaning that some changes were made to the interior so that dolls could move around comfortably!”

The Folsom Tavern dollhouse raffle will continue until October 27, 2012, the museum’s close of tour season.  Ticket prices are one for $10; six for $50 and interested parties may call the museum at 603-772-2622 to purchase tickets.  The dollhouse is on display in the museum’s gift shop, which is open Wednesdays through Saturdays.  For more information and additional payment options, visit www.independencemuseum.org.

Folsom Tavern originally resided on what is now the intersection of Front and Water Streets, in Exeter, the former capital of New Hampshire.  Its central location made it an ideal spot for the heated political discussions of the day.  Following the war, President George Washington stopped by for a light breakfast on November 4, 1789.  Colonel Folsom’s widow, Elizabeth continued to operate the tavern until she died in 1805, and in the years since, it has been a mystic’s home, housed “Washington’s Lunch”, then a shoe-repair shop, a Chinese laundry, and a hat shop.

In 1929 the land was sold to make way for a filling station and the Tavern was given to the Society of the Cincinnati, who owned the former governor’s mansion, the Ladd-Gilman House, c. 1721.  Folsom Tavern was hauled down the streets of Exeter, by oxen and logs to a location on Spring Street, but still it’s moving days were not over!  In 2004, Folsom Tavern, was relocated to 164 Water Street, restored inside and out, and re-opened in 2007.  It now enjoys a lively life, as visitors from all over the country and world tour through the American Independence Museum.

“My hope for the Folsom Tavern dollhouse is that it will raise funds for our Education programs.  We offer workshops, lectures, summer camps, and host hundreds of schoolchildren throughout the year,” said Ms. Tiebout.  “And my other hope is that this wonderful heirloom will find a terrific home and entertain an imaginative child for years to come.”