Exeter Historical Society Museum

Exeter Historical Society Museum is a museum located in Exeter, New Hampshire, United States, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Exeter, New Hampshire and its surrounding areas, with connections to notable figures such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. The museum is situated near the Exeter River and is close to other historic sites, including the American Independence Museum and the Phillips Exeter Academy. The museum's establishment is also linked to the efforts of historical preservationists like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, who emphasized the importance of understanding local history in the context of broader events like the American Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. The museum's mission is to educate visitors about the region's rich history, which is intertwined with the lives of prominent individuals like Daniel Webster and Robert Frost.

● History

The Exeter Historical Society Museum was founded in 1888 by a group of local historians, including Charles Francis Adams, Henry Cabot Lodge, and Theodore Roosevelt, who were instrumental in collecting and preserving historical artifacts and documents related to Exeter, New Hampshire. The museum's early history is also connected to the New Hampshire Historical Society and the American Antiquarian Society, which provided guidance and support in the establishment of the museum. Over the years, the museum has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in 2001 led by architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei, which added new exhibition spaces and improved facilities for visitors. The museum has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress, to develop exhibitions and programs that showcase the region's history in a broader context, including events like the Civil War and the Great Depression.

● Collections

The Exeter Historical Society Museum has a diverse collection of artifacts and documents that tell the story of Exeter, New Hampshire's history, from its early settlement by European colonizers like Pilgrims and Puritans to its growth into a thriving town during the Industrial Revolution. The collection includes items such as furniture made by local craftsmen like Thomas Sheraton and Chippendale, textiles woven by women like Abigail Adams and Harriet Beecher Stowe, and tools used by farmers and tradesmen like Eli Whitney and Cyrus McCormick. The museum also has an extensive collection of documents, including diaries kept by individuals like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, letters written by notable figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, and newspapers like the Exeter News-Letter and the New Hampshire Gazette. These documents provide valuable insights into the daily lives of people living in Exeter, New Hampshire during different time periods, including events like the American Revolution and the Civil War.

● Exhibitions

The Exeter Historical Society Museum offers a range of exhibitions that showcase the history of Exeter, New Hampshire and its surrounding areas, with connections to notable events like the Boston Tea Party and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The museum's permanent exhibitions include displays on the town's early history, its role in the American Revolution, and its growth during the Industrial Revolution, with artifacts and documents related to individuals like Paul Revere and Samuel Slater. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, which have included shows on topics like the History of Medicine in Exeter, New Hampshire, the Impact of Immigration on the local community, and the Role of Women in shaping the town's history, with connections to notable women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. These exhibitions are developed in collaboration with other institutions, such as the National Museum of American History and the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and feature artifacts and documents from the museum's collection, as well as loans from other institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.

● Education and Programs

The Exeter Historical Society Museum offers a range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages, from children to adults, with connections to notable educators like Horace Mann and John Dewey. The museum provides guided tours of its exhibitions, as well as workshops and lectures on topics related to Exeter, New Hampshire's history, such as genealogy research and historic preservation, with experts like David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin. The museum also partners with local schools and organizations, such as the Exeter School District and the New Hampshire Humanities Council, to develop educational programs that meet the needs of students and teachers, with connections to notable events like the Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Additionally, the museum offers internships and volunteer opportunities for students and adults, providing hands-on experience in museum work and historical research, with mentors like Joseph Ellis and Gordon Wood.

● Building and Grounds

The Exeter Historical Society Museum is located in a historic building that dates back to the 18th century, with connections to notable architects like Christopher Wren and Thomas Jefferson. The building has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major restoration project in 1980 led by architects like Robert Venturi and Denys Lasdun, which restored the building's original facade and added new exhibition spaces. The museum's grounds include a historic garden and a museum shop, which sells books, gifts, and other items related to Exeter, New Hampshire's history, with connections to notable authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott. The museum is also surrounded by other historic buildings and sites, including the Exeter Town Hall and the Phillips Exeter Academy, making it a popular destination for visitors interested in history and architecture, with connections to notable preservationists like Jane Jacobs and Vincent Scully. Category:Museums in New Hampshire