American Independence Festival

Well into the evening of July 4, 1776, Philadelphia printer John Dunlap, the official printer of the Continental Congress, worked diligently at his printing press. His project: turning Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten Declaration of Independence into 200 broadsides that were then delivered to the King of England and the American colonies.

New Hampshire’s copy arrived in Exeter, the Revolutionary-era capitol, on July 16, 1776. John Taylor Gilman, 22, read one of Dunlap's Broadsides of the Declaration of Independence to the townspeople of Exeter.

Join us as we celebrate America’s freedom during the American Independence Festival! Join the crowd escorting George Washington down Water Street; see delivery of the Declaration of Independence via horseback, and listen to John Taylor Gilman read it out loud to the crowd (complete with hecklers). Chat with historic role-players, listen to the stirring music of the Lincoln Fife and Drum and delight in the maneuvers and cannon firings of militias. Visit the Traditional New Hampshire artisans’ village, view the original Dunlap Broadside (one of 26 copies known to exist) and early drafts of the U.S. Constitution and stroll Swasey Parkway and Water Street to see local arts and crafts. Enjoy food, music, sidewalk sales and children’s activities, then stay as the town of Exeter celebrates its 375th anniversary in 2013 with live music by the Jumbo Circus Peanuts and fireworks!

2013 American Independence Festival Schedule of Events

Events with * included with $7 American Independence Museum admission.

10:00 – 5:00 Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern open for visitors Museum Grounds*
10:00 – 5:00 Original Declaration of Independence on display Ladd-Gilman House*
10:00 – 5:00 Traditional Artisans Village open for visitors Museum Grounds*
10:00 – 5:00 Militia Encampments open for visitors Swasey Parkway
10:00 Welcoming remarks by AIM staff and dignitaries Cannon Stage
10:20 Delivery of Declaration of Independence on horseback Cannon Stage
10:20 Reading of the Declaration of Independence Cannon Stage
10:30 Procession with George Washington Folsom Tavern
10:35 Welcoming remarks by George Washington Cannon Stage
11:00 – 4:30 Redhook Independence Ale Pavilion opens Spring St. Parking Lot
12:00 – 1:30 Sassafras String Band performance Behind Folsom Tavern
11:00 Firing of cannons Swasey Parkway
11:00 – 11:30 Join the Junior Militia with Danvers Alarm List Company Next to Tavern*
11:00 – 11:30 Military muster, musket firing, and tactical maneuvers Swasey Parkway
11:00 – 12:00 The Loyalist Point of View Folsom Tavern*
11:00 – 12:00 Meet John Taylor Gilman – 5th Governor of NH Ladd-Gilman House*
11:00 – 12:30 Meet John Adams – 1st Vice President & 2nd President of the U.S. - Folsom Tavern*
12:00 Firing of cannons Swasey Parkway
12:00 – 12:30 Military muster, musket firing, and tactical maneuvers Swasey Parkway
12:30 – 1:00 Join the Junior Militia with Danvers Alarm List Company Next to Tavern*
1:00 Firing of cannons Swasey Parkway
1:30 – 2:00 Colonial Games for children of all ages Folsom Tavern Lawn*
1:00 – 2:00 Meet John Adams & John Taylor Gilman Folsom Tavern*
1:00/1:15/1:30/1:45 Demonstration of Minuet Dancing Folsom Tavern*
2:00 ONLY Battle Portrayal Please view from non-river side of the road behind the barriers - Swasey Parkway
3:00 Firing of cannons Swasey Parkway
3:00 – 4:00 Meet John Adams Folsom Tavern*
3:00 – 4:00 Meet John Taylor Gilman Ladd-Gilman House*
3:30 Duck Race, hosted by Southern District YMCA Best viewing at String Bridge
4:00 – 4:30 Military muster, musket firing, and tactical maneuvers Swasey Parkway
4:00 – 4:30 Join the Junior Militia with Danvers Alarm List Company Next to Tavern*
4:00 – 5 The Loyalist Point of View Folsom Tavern*
5:00 END of 23rd American Independence Festival
6:45 Town of Exeter’s live music: Jumbo Circus Peanuts Swasey Pavilion
8:45 Town of Exeter Fireworks Swasey Parkway