*** "Cabin Fever Tea" which was scheduled for Saturday, February 29th has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience. ***
March 26 D. Allan Kerr
Surfmen of the Seacoast

The brave surfmen of the U.S. Life Saving Service kept mariners safe starting in 1878. When vessels ran aground or wrecked close to shore, these "storm warriors" would venture out into the sea in lifeboats to rescue crew and passengers. The Life Saving Service is credited with saving more than 186,000 lives before President Wilson merged this agency with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service in 1915 to create the modern-day Coast Guard. D. Allan Kerr is an ex-dockworker, former newspaperman, local historian and U.S. Navy veteran living in Kittery, Maine. He is also the author of Silent Strength: Remembering the Men of Genius and Adventure Lost in the World's Worst Submarine Disaster.


Programs are held in the Rye Public Library Community Room at 6:30 pm. FREE
More 2020 Programs

Rye Historical Society invites the public to attend all their programs which are held in the Rye Public Library Community Room at 6:30P.M.


April 30 Glenn Knoblock - New Hampshire on High: Historic and Unusual Weathervanes of the Granite State

July 16 Thomas Hubka - Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn 

November 10 Neil Novello - No Mutiny This Time

Rye 1623 , the committee formed to commemorate the 400 th anniversary of Rye’s settlement, will also have two programs: 

May 26 Craig Musselman Historic Mills of Rye

October 22 Ed Bullock (Eyes That Shine) Native Storytelling, Song and Dance: Teaching of the Drum and Flute
Rye Trolley Tours

Take a narrated ride through scenic Rye and learn about our rich history. 10:30-noon $25

5/25 Memorial Day
7/4 Independence Day
9/7 Labor Day
Cemetery Tour - Epitaphs, Founding Families

Sunday, May 17th 1 pm

Park in town lot south of church to view the oldest part of the cemetery in back of the church. You will have the option to then walk or drive down to the beginning of the 1893 section. Tour lasts one hour. FREE
Help RHS Document Rye's Older Houses

RHS has been working on this project started back in the 1970's by Louise Tallman. It represents the heart and soul of the town. When it is finished and digitized it will be an invaluable resource for so many people. Many museum visitors are seeking information on their house or others for research, but the current project needs more volunteers to make this material more accessible.

Please write to RHS if you are interested in helping out.  info@ryenhhistoricalsociety.org 
Board Member Spotlight

Kelly Lewis
How long have you served on the RHS Board of Directors?
KL: I joined the board in 2019

What got you interested in the history of Rye?
KL: I grew up in Rye, since I was 8. It's the only place that really feels like 'home' even though I've lived in other places. My mom and I were both born in Portsmouth Hospital and my grandparents built and ran Mike's Marina on Wentworth Road, so our family history in the area goes back a long way.

What is the most exciting part of RHS for you?
KL: The mission to share Rye's deep and rich history with residents and visitors alike.

What is your favorite historical landmark in Rye, and why?
KL: I have 2: the transatlantic cable terminal because that was so historically significant and the sunken petrified forest because it dates back to the Ice Age. Probably also the Star Island retreat and conference center. It is a beautiful old building and they make the best vanilla ice cream in the world!
Sharing Stories of Rye

Do you have a story to tell? Rye Historical Society has established a community on StoryCorps to help our members share stories. You are invited to join the Rye NH History community on archive.storycorps.org. Please follow this link to create a StoryCorps Archive account and join our community. Next, download the StoryCorps App to record and share your story with us.
Did you know there is a guided walking tour in Rye Beach? Download the IziTRAVEL app and get started!

Don't want to walk? You can take this tour from the comfort of your easy chair!
Share Your Talents and Skills with the RHS

Volunteers Needed For:

  • Old House documentation
  • Coordinator between RHS resources and Rye schools
  • Archival work and genealogical research
  • Exhibit updates and creation
  • Textile organization and display
  • Computer technology and website maintenance
  • Administrative work
  • Building care and maintenance


If any of these interest you, please email or phone us. We would love for you to be part of the RHS!
DID YOU KNOW...….
The Museum is open by request at (almost) ANY TIME?

We're here for you - please email info@ryenhhistoricalsociety.org to make an appointment
  Intimate Rye History Online - Access Rye History

Have you looked at all the new material recently posted on our web site? Under the tab: "Resources" click on Access Rye History and you will see over 1600 pages of a wide and diverse variety of primary source material from Rye 1850 - 1920. From diaries to letters to account books and much more you can open a window into the past and make Rye and American history come alive. Thanks to a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Fund and the work of Robin Silva from the Portsmouth Athenaeum, RHS is now able to share a rich body of the past from our extensive collection.
 
Share The History of Your Home with a
Historic House Plaque

Many Rye homes, business and public buildings are adorned with these handsome plaques. The cost of a plaque is $85.

If you would like one for your home to add to the heritage of the town, house plaque applications may be picked up at the Rye library on the coffee table (behind the RHS brochures).

Check and application may be mailed to PO Box 583, Rye, NH 03870 or left in our mailbox by the front door of the museum.
RHS is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization

Rye Historical Society
603-997-6742
10 Olde Parish Road, Rye, NH 03870

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