Historic Ladd-Gilman House in Exeter receives $8,275 grant for restoration

EXETER — The Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has awarded the American Independence Museum an $8,275 grant to help restore the historic Ladd-Gilman House .

The grant will specifically fund repairs to basement doors and restoration of basement door frames, parts of which are rotted and require replacement.

“We are honored to participate in the renovations to the Ladd-Gilman House,” said Massachusetts Society of Colonial Wars Treasurer and Grant Committee Chairman Bill Mann. “This project is certainly worthy of a small gift to help with period-correct building maintenance and also of our appreciation.”

Mann cited “overlapping and deeply interconnected interests” on why they made the donation, despite each organization focusing on different historical periods.

“New Hampshire was a part of Massachusetts when the Ladd-Gilman House was built,” he said. “We have limited funds to pursue our mission of preserving colonial history, but an historic 18th-century structure like the Ladd-Gilman House stands out as an important example of our shared heritage.”

Robert Levey, interim executive director of the American Independence Museum, said the initial repairs at the Ladd-Gilman House are part of a larger restoration project that will take several years to complete.

“We have yet to formally launch the project, but we plan to do so in the coming months,” said Levey. “We truly appreciate the support of the Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which puts a spotlight on this incredible structure.”

The Ladd-Gilman House was built in 1721 by Nathaniel Ladd. Originally built of brick before being covered in clapboard in the 18th century, the house is one of the oldest brick structures in the state. Daniel Gilman acquired the house in 1747, expanding it with a timber frame addition in 1752 and renovating the interior.

The house became the State Treasury during the Revolutionary War, with Nicholas and John Taylor Gilman serving as state treasurers. The house was also the birthplace of Nicholas Gilman Jr., a signatory of the United States Constitution and U.S. senator.

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Historic Ladd-Gilman House in Exeter receives $8,275 grant for restoration