The Square House:
Later History and the
Preservation of the House

After Widow Haviland's tenure, the Square House continued as a tavern under various owners until 1835 when David Mead, postmaster of Rye, purchased it and returned it to a private home. The Mead family owned the house until 1903 when John and William Parsons and John Howard Whittemore purchased the house to preserve it. The Parsons and Whittemore subsequently offered the property to the Village of Rye as a municipal hall. The property continued as the municipal hall until 1964 when it was leased by the Rye Historical Society, restored and turned into the current museum.

The Square House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has also been designated as a landmark by the City of Rye.