Exeter's American Independence Museum seeking new executive director

EXETER — As the American Independence Museum prepares for its big festival in July, the organization is searching for a new executive director.

Jen Carr, collections manager and curator, is serving as acting executive director while the museum's Board of Governors conducts its search to replace Emma Stratton, who left in May.

“We have a committee that was formed to conduct the search and they are in the process of putting together the job description and getting the word out,” said Carr. “They are conducting a broad search to find the best candidate.”

Although serving only temporarily, Carr said the transition from her previous role has been “wonderful.”

“There’s definitely a lot to learn but I have a really great support system – the staff, Board of Governors and volunteers,” said Carr. “I’ve got ... all the resources I need to plan this year’s festival and ensure a great 2022 season.”

Carr said the museum had recently hired a new program coordinator, Erin Mack.

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Every July, the American Independence Museum hosts its biggest event, the American Independence Festival. Unlike most other communities which celebrate America's split with the British Empire on July 4, the museum celebrates the festival on the Saturday closest to July 16, said Carr.

She said that date is chosen because July 16, 1776, was when a copy of the Declaration of Independence arrived on horseback in Exeter, 12 days after the document was signed in Philadelphia. This year, July 16 is on a Saturday, a coincidence that works out in the museum’s favor.

Carr said Mack has been taking the lead in planning many exciting things for this year’s festival, which includes military reenactments, demonstrations by artisans as well as opening the Ladd-Gilman House for visitors for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The museum’s collection includes one of only 26 surviving copies of the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence and two rare drafts of the U.S. Constitution, all of which will be displayed at the festival.

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“One of the highlights of the American Independence Festival is to have the Dunlap Broadside (one of the first copies of the Declaration of Independence ever produced) on exhibit in the Ladd-Gilman House,” said Carr. “That’s the only time of the year that we bring it out so it’s very exciting.”

Stratton named executive director of Portsmouth Historical Society

Stratton left her role as the American Independence Museum to become the new executive director of the Portsmouth Historical Society.

“I had been (at the American Independence Museum) for five years and it was time for a new chapter in my professional career,” said Stratton. “I was ready to move to a larger institution.”

According to a farewell posted by the Board of Governors on the museum's website, Stratton was credited with having a major impact on its growth over the years, both online and offline. Under her directorship, the museum expanded its public programming and social media presence, and she was the “driving force” behind multiple improvements and groundwork projects, the board wrote.

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Stratton said her departure just months before the festival is simply a coincidence.

“The timing worked out the way it did with (Portsmouth Historical Society) with the timeline of their hiring and when the job offer was received,” said Stratton. “I moved here when I started with American Independence Museum, so I didn’t want to relocate... I really wanted to remain in the Seacoast.”

Stratton looks back with pride at her time with the museum.

“I was there during the pandemic and led the organization throughout that time, which is when we really grew our digital presence,” said Stratton. “I’m really proud of the work that the entire team put in to grow our digital presence during that time and maintain it.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter NH American Independence Museum seeking new executive director