Welcome to the Museum Gift Shop at the Historic Square House
Rye Calendar Reservation
This limited-edition calendar, priced at $25, captures the charm and history of our beloved city - perfect as a gift or a keepsake. Pre-orders are open for the next few weeks, with pick-up available on or before December 14th. In this exclusive calendar for 2025 every month has a vintage photograph that showcases a place in Rye.
Your purchase supports the Rye Historical Society.
Nestled in the heart of the historic Square House Museum, our Museum Gift Shop offers a thoughtfully curated selection of items that celebrate Rye’s rich history and culture.
The shop features an exciting collection of items, carefully chosen to reflect the essence of Rye’s heritage. It offers visitors a chance to take home a meaningful part of our town’s story or celebrate their pride in Rye by using a Rye mug or wearing a Rye hat.
As you explore the museum and step back in time, we invite you to visit the Museum Gift Shop. It’s a perfect opportunity to deepen your appreciation for Rye’s unique past and take home a memento that connects you to our community’s vibrant history. Some items even highlight fascinating tales from our local history, such as the Culper Spy Ring and their use of invisible ink during the American Revolution.
Read on to discover more about Rye’s connection to this remarkable chapter in American history
Storyes From Our Collection
The Culper Spy Ring: Invisible Ink
During the Revolutionary War, there was a group of secret spies called the Culper Spy Ring. They helped General George Washington by finding out secrets from the British.
The Culper spies used special tricks to keep their sevrets safe. One of their coolest tricks was using invisible ink!
The invisible ink was made by a smart chemist named James Jay. He was the brother of John Jay, and both of them once lived right here in Rye, NY!
This makes our hometown extra special. The Jay brothers used this invisible ink to write secret letters to each other. General Washington and others also used it to send secret messages during the war.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Connection to Rye NY: Crafting a Usonian Home
In 1951, Frank Lloyd Wright, the renowned architect, designed a house in Rye, in one of Wright's Usonian designs, which are characterized by their integration with nature. The house still stands today as a private residence and is considered a significant example of Wright's architectural style.
The house was commissioned by Maximilian E. Hoffman, a famous automobile importer. The name of the one man who perhaps did the most to bring foreign cars to the United States after World War II. Mr. Hoffman, who helped introduce American drivers to European marques like Alfa Romeo, BMW, Fiat, Healey, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Porsche, and Volkswagen, was known for his directness and penchant for perfection.
Hoffman's market acumen extended beyond cars to great architecture. He commissioned Wright to design a landmark auto showroom on Park Avenue and soon after, a home in Rye.
