Welcome to the Square House Museum
Journey into 18th century America by visiting our 1730 landmark tavern at the Square House Museum. The property dates back to 1675 when the farmer Jacob Pierce was its owner. The present building was erected in 1730 by Peter Brown, a miller. A succession of owners and occupants followed and in 1770 Ebenezer Haviland purchased the property. After his death in the Revolution, his widow, Tamar maintained the property as a tavern. The Square House ceased to be a public house in 1830. In 1903, it was purchased by John E. Parsons, William H. Parsons and John Howard Whittemore who restored it and offered the building to the Village of Rye. In 1964 the Square House was opened to the public as a museum. Thank you for visiting us on the web.
Exhibits & Artifacts
The Rye Historical Society owns a collection of 8,000 artifacts which describes the daily life of Rye citizens from 1660 to the present. This collection includes costumes and accessories, artwork, tools, toys, furniture, household items and ephemera. The Society also owns an extensive archival collection of 25,000 documents, maps, photographs, newspapers, manuscripts and more.
The Society showcases two major and at least two minor exhibits each year. The exhibits cover an array of topics relating to local and regional history. Some of our past exhibits have included topics such as modern architecture in Rye, the Centennial of Rye's incorporation as a village, luggage, fur, textile production in the 18th century and Victorian undergarments.
To browse through our exhibit calendar, please click here. Exhibit Calendar
The Square House Museum operates as a historic house museum, with free tours offered daily. The house contains six period rooms interpreted to three centuries of the house's history including an 18th century tavern room, a 19th century bedroom, and a recreation of the village of Rye's 1904 Council Room. Guided and self-guided tours are available.
Education
The Rye Historical Society has a very active education department. Our educator offers over a dozen programs to school and community groups in Rye and the surrounding areas all year long. These programs include guided museum tours, historic crafts, travelling trunks, slide shows, walking and bus tours.
Special custom programs can be created for your group.
The Society also offers a unique Hands-on-History Workshop series throughout the year on Saturdays and after-school. Special family events include historic Halloween and Valentines Day festivities as well as Candlelight tours in December.
We are now taking sign-ups for Summer 2008 Hands-on-History Colonial Camp. Session dates are July 8-18, 2008 & July 22-Aug. 1, 2008. You can call our educator for more information or print out the attached page and return it to us via mail or fax (914) 967-6253. Summer Camp Registration Forms
For more information, please call our Educator, Jennifer Plick, at (914) 967-7588.
Planning Your Visit
GENERAL INFORMATION
Hours of Operation
The Square House Museum, Rye Historical Society offices and Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You are welcome to a guided or self-guided tour during these hours. The exhibits are also on view during regular office hours.
- Group tours and archival research by appointment.
- Suggested donation is $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child
See our Calendar or call our office at 914-967-7588 for a listing of current exhibits.
Directions
Coming from the North: Route I-95 (New England Thruway) to exit 20. Go right (south) on the Boston Post Rd. Make a right at the second light, onto Purdy Street. Go two blocks and make a left onto Purchase Street. The Square House is at the south end of Purchase Street on the the Village Green.
Coming from the West: Route 287 to Exit 11 (Rye/Port Chester). Go right (south) on the Boston Post Rd. Make a right at the second light, onto Purdy Street. Go two blocks and make a left onto Purchase Street. The Square House is at the south end of Purchase Street on the the Village Green.
Coming from the South: Route I-95 (New England Thruway) to exit 21 (Cottage Street). Make a left onto Midland Avenue and proceed to traffic light. Make a right onto Peck Avenue and follow to the Boston Post Rd. Make a left onto the Post Rd. Just before you reach the second light, take the turn-off to the right, which puts you onto Purchase St. right across from the Square House (by a triangle with a flagpole and memorial).
By Train (North and South): Take Metro North, New Haven Railroad to Rye. Walk 1/4 mile south on Purchase Street. The Square House is at the southern end of Purchase Street on the Village Green, across from City Hall.
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