Asides

Founding partner in Lynch, Brewer, Hoffman & Fink, LLP, a Boston-based law firm, Alan Hoffman will speak on the role Lafayette played as a symbol of Franco-American friendship at the American Independence Center’s next evening lecture on October 4. President of The American Friends of Lafayette as well as The Massachusetts Lafayette Society, Hoffman has also translated Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825 by Auguste Levasseur.

In commenting on what attendees can expect at the lecture, Hoffman referenced Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the following at the beginning of his song “Guns and Ships” in the hit, hip-hop Broadway musical Hamilton:

How does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower
Somehow defeat a global superpower?
How do we emerge victorious from the quagmire?
Leave the battlefield waving Betsy Ross’ flag higher?
Yo. Turns out we have a secret weapon!
An immigrant you know and love who’s unafraid to step in!
He’s constantly confusin’, confoundin’ the British henchmen
Ev’ryone give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman!
Lafayette!

“Those words provide—albeit poetically—the backdrop for my discussion, which will cover Lafayette’s role in the Revolution and how he eventually became the most popular man in America,” said Hoffman. “It’s an interesting story that spans well over 200 years of history.”

Expressing excitement at his upcoming lecture, Center Education manager Abigail Pietrantonio said the entire series has been “a resounding success” in 2016.

“Even though these are free lectures, I don’t think any of us thought they would command the sort of attention they have drawn,” she said. “Mr. Hoffman is well known for his expert knowledge on Lafayette, and so I expect a full house and lively discussions to follow.”

Aimée Sundstrom, marketing manager at Service Credit Union, a major Center sponsor in 2016-2017, said the lecture series is important in that it sheds light on many facets of America’s revolutionary history.

“These lectures are great because they dig deep into aspects of American history that many people may not know about,” she said. “We are very impressed at the success of the series and look forward to Mr. Hoffman’s presentation.”

Scheduled for 7 pm on Tuesday, October 4 on the second floor of the Center’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, the Lecture is made possible by generous support from the New Hampshire Humanities Council.

Pre-registration is required for this free lecture. Please contact Abby Pietrantonio at [email protected]. 

Americans have long revered their pint of beer, which underscores the popularity of the American Independence Center’s Beer for History series in Exeter and one of the reasons Moat Mountain Brewing Co. recently joined the lineup.

“I am really excited to be part of this event with so many other great breweries and people—it should be a lot of fun,” said Sales Manager Brian Dalke of Moat Mountain Brewing Co. “There is nothing wrong with having a beer for history.”

The next Beer for History takes place at the Center’s Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street in Exeter, on Thursday, October 20 from 5 pm to 8 pm. Moat Mountain Brewing Co. will be joined by Granite State Growler Tours, Neighborhood Beer Co. (NHBC), 7th Settlement, D.L. Geary Brewing Company and possibly others.

NHBC’s Joe Berwanger said they plan to pour their Granite Acorn Autumn Lager, which is a higher-alcohol, super malty version of the iconic harvest Märzen-style Oktoberfest. “It’s extremely smooth and crisp,” he added. “It’s the perfect complement to autumn itself.”

Beer for History is sponsored by Hoefle Phoenix Gormley & Roberts, P.A. Attorneys at Law of Portsmouth.

“We have enjoyed ourselves at the first two events and look forward to another great time,” said Kevin Baum, attorney at the firm. “It’s a wonderful community event and a terrific way to enjoy the museum grounds.”

In addition to beer and light snacks, the event will feature live colonial tavern-style music and games for kids. “It’s definitely worth the trip from Maine,” said Geary Brewing’s Tim Turner. “I’ve discovered Exeter is a pretty classic New England town. It’s been fun.”

Tickets are $30 and include light appetizers, samplings of beer, and more. Members of the Center may purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $25. Kids are free. To buy tickets, visit https://aicnh.org/beer-for-history/.

Open for 6 years, The Fabulous Find in Kittery has given away more than $870,000 to local nonprofits, which continues to delight new recipients, including the American Independence Center in Exeter.

“We were elated to hear of our selection,” said Center Executive Director Julie Williams. “It is amazing what they have been able to do for the greater Seacoast community.”

The Fabulous Find is a boutique style resale shop that partners with different local non-profit organizations monthly. In addition to the American Independence Center, the Children’s Center of NH and Seacoast Family Promises will also share profits from September sales at the shop. On September 10 at 8:30 am, The Fabulous Find will host a coffee reception to disburse monies to August beneficiaries as well as introduce September’s agencies.

Comprising the Ladd-Gilman House (c.1721) and Folsom Tavern (c.1775) on more than one acre of landscaped property, the Center hosts public and educational programs and lectures, colonial artisan demonstrations, guided tours, and special events. The Center is also part of the “Experience New Hampshire Heritage: The Portsmouth to Plymouth Center Trail.”

To learn more about The Fabulous Find, visit www.thefabulousfind.org.

Featuring more than 2,000 items in its collection, the need to preserve them is critical, which makes the American Independence Center’s recent $5,000 grant award so important. Granted by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the award will enable the Center to restore, digitize and safely house 4 rare historical artifacts as well as purchase materials required for new archival storage methods for hundreds of other items in the collection.

Center Executive Director Julie Williams referred to the grant award as “an important piece to a long-term preservation plan.”

“With an eye toward future sustainability both in terms of our collection and the Center itself, we need to take steps to ensure our artifacts may be enjoyed for future generations,” she said. “This grant award helps protect 4 key items in our collection and lay the groundwork for future projects—I cannot thank the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution enough.”

Susan O’Leary, immediate past regent for the Exeter DAR Chapter and current ambassador at the Center, said she was honored to sponsor the Special Grants Application.

“Chapter recognition of the importance of the Center’s two anchor properties, the Folsom Tavern and the Ladd-Gilman House, dates back to 1901 when our young chapter presented slate tablets to both to honor their significance to local and state history,” she said. “This grant will help assure that the Center will educate and serve the region into the future.”

The 4 items that will be preserved include: A letter handwritten and signed by George Washington in Mount Vernon to General Henry Knox in New York; handwritten letter from George Washington to General John Sullivan; “A Compendium of Military Duty, adapted for the Militia of the United States” by Jonathan Rawson, Esq., late aid de camp to General Sullivan; and an engraved book plate that belonged to George Washington.

“These items are among some of the most significant in our collection,” added Williams. “They are delicate and require expert handling by outside consultants—it will be very exciting to see these items in all their restored glory.”

Founded in 1991 with the strength and guidance of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire, the Exeter Community and the State of New Hampshire, the American Independence Center is a place where all can learn and celebrate what it took to create the freedoms that Americans enjoy hundreds of years later.

Learn more about the American Independence Center at aicnh.org.

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At the American Independence Center, one of its primary objectives is to engage visitors of all ages with opportunities to explore Revolutionary history in unique ways, which is tangibly demonstrated in its new Colonial Cutting Garden.

Planted with heirloom plants from Plimoth Plantation, the garden was made possible with financial support from The Farm at Eastman’s Corner. Citing an appreciation for the rich history of the NH Seacoast and that of Exeter in particular, Eric Cimon, director of marketing and events at The Farm at Eastman’s Corner, said they are excited at the partnership.

“The American Independence Center is a unique and treasured establishment full of the stories of Exeter’s history and is a wonderful resource for all ages to learn and be reminded of how and why we got here,” he noted. “We are proud to support the learning garden and commend them for their efforts and perseverance, making sure the history of our country’s independence is not lost with the passage of time.”

Cimon said the garden also reflects core value of The Farm at Eastman Corner.

“We are focused on educating individuals about the history of the region, how we got here and how we can protect and preserve it for future generations through efforts in conservation and sustainability,” he noted.

Noting the garden features nearly two-dozen plants and herbs, some of which include rosemary, lemon balm, red orach, sage and nasturtium, Williams said the Center’s newest living history addition reveals an important facet of Colonial history.

“Colonial Cutting Gardens were a staple of every home,” she said. “The plants and herbs within them served an important function for the family—from alleviating ailments and injuries to providing flavor to food, warding off evil spirits, and deterring pests. They also gave fragrance to soaps and cosmetics as well as to the entire home.”

To learn more about the Colonial Cutting Garden, which visitors can tour with a self-guided pamphlet that explains their historical importance, visit the Center Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The Center is located at One Governor’s Lane, Exeter, NH.

The Center is part of the NH Heritage Trail. Visit www.nhmuseumtrail.org for more information.