Fall has arrived – the kids are back at school and the days feel a bit cooler as we gear up for a busy season at Rye History. We are excited to host The Rye Historical Society’s Fall Food & Whiskey Bash on November 5th. Join us at the Knapp House for good food and a sampling of our famous bourbon - because the Knapp House is full of spirits in more ways than one! This event sold out last year – so be sure to keep your eyes out for our invitation with all the details – coming soon.
RYE HISTORY. We’re all a part of it!
NEWS & EVENTS
Witness Stones Project
The Witness Stones Project is a one of a kind activity where students (grades 5-12) become historians and biographers restoring the history and honoring the humanity of enslaved persons who helped build our communities. Founded by Dennis Culliton in 2017, the project was inspired by the Stolpersteine Project in Berlin, where Jews are remembered by placing an inscribed stone at the place where they lived before being deported and murdered during the Holocaust.
In conjunction with Culliton and the School of the Holy Child, Rye History will help create an educational unit where students will use local primary and secondary documents to research and analyze local slavery, investigate individual enslaved persons, and restore the history of the enslaved by writing their stories.Upon completion of their research, the students will bring our community together to place Witness Stones: permanent brass markers that memorialize enslaved individuals where they lived, worked, or worshipped. For more information about the project, click here .
Student Ambassadors Program
RHS is excited to announce the Student Ambassadors Program - a monthly community service program for Rye Middle School students to get them involved in our mission of preserving Rye’s vibrant history. With the assistance of the Rye Middle School faculty and administration, we will be targeting students with a strong interest in history. Our goal is to get these students engaged and excited about local history in the hopes that as high school students, they will continue to pursue internship opportunities with us. Student Ambassadors will have the opportunity to focus on their own specific interests around town, and, with our guidance, create independent projects to be completed. These students will also volunteer at Rye History events and spread the word about upcoming events throughout our school community.
9/11 Firefighters Oral Histories
To commemorate 9/11 and those who risked their lives to help others, we will be taking the oral histories of local firefighters who raced to the World Trade Center to save lives on that fateful day. Our Board of Trustees will be assisting these efforts to document the firefighters’ riveting stories of a day that will forever be a part of Rye’s history. Once documented, these stories will be placed in our Archives, as well as posted on our website.
Slightly Spooky Square House
It’s back! You won't want to miss this annual favorite event when The Square House is transformed into the Spooky House. Ghosts, goblins, bumps and squeaks await as you wind your way through the darkened rooms. Visitors may encounter other-worldly travelers awakening from their 200 year slumber - you never know who you might meet!
This spooktacular event will be held on Friday, October 28th and Saturday, October 29th from 5:30 to 8pm. This family-friendly program is appropriate for younger children - all must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $20 per family (pay at the door).
The Streets of Rye – An Evening with Paul Rheingold
Local author and long-time Rye resident Paul Rheingold will be at the Rye Library on October 20th at 7pm to discuss his new book: The Streets of Rye – How They Got Their Names. With the assistance of RHS staff Jake Griffith-Rosenberger and Christine Moore, Rheingold studied old maps and subdivision plans stored in the Knapp House Archives. He also researched materials available at the Westchester County clerk’s office and the Internet to complete this very informative book about the streets of Rye. Books will be available for purchase, and Paul will be there to personalize them.
Native American Program at the Knapp House
Back by popular demand! On November 19 from 10:30am-12pm, Algonkian historian Drew Shuptar-Rayvis will present a unique outdoor program at the Knapp House highlighting the significant changes to local Native American culture after meeting colonists. Drew engages the audience in an interactive discussion about trade goods (axes, flintlock muskets, metal knives, clay pipes, jewelry and blankets) and how they changed local Native American lifestyles.
This program is a drop-off program geared towards children ages 7 and up. Registration and more details coming soon.
Revolutionary Westchester 250 Event with Rye Library
On Tuesday, November 29th at 7pm, Rye History and the Rye Library will present “Treason of the Darkest Dye”. One of the most significant actions during the American Revolution occurred in Westchester County. General Benedict Arnold’s treasonous plot to give West Point to the British got thwarted by three farmer-soldiers in central Westchester. Had Arnold’s co-conspirator, British Major John André, gotten through to New York City, America may have lost its Revolutionary cause.
Performing in period dress, Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk engages audiences in this most compelling story of the fight for Independence. Register for this event at www.ryelibrary.org.
Architectural Lego Project
Thanks to the excitement and generosity of the Silber family, the Rye Historical Society will present an architectural heritage workshop by architect Stephen W. Schwartz AIA in early December. At this event, participants will build a selection of Rye’s architectural and historical gems, landmarks, and recognizable buildings out of LEGO blocks. Through his company, Building Blocks Workshops, Stephen has guided thousands of people nationwide in building architecturally significant cities including Jerusalem, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Vatican City. Developed in collaboration with the Rye Historical Society, Stephen has held similar architectural heritage programs in Bronxville and Westport. The workshop can accommodate 50 teams of up to 4 people 3rd grade or above and must include at least 1 supervising adult. Registration will open in October.
Historic Home Markers – Be a Part of Rye History!
Our Rye History Marker program is designed to celebrate the visible local history in the homes and buildings that surround us – we believe a community that celebrates its history is a community that preserves and maintains its history. Take a quick drive around town and you will see the beautiful bronze plaques proudly displayed on historic homes all over Rye.
Introduced in 2016, RHS continues to offer this program to recognize and celebrate homes and other structures in Rye that exemplify our community’s rich heritage. The focus is on homes built prior to 1942 (the year the City of Rye was incorporated) that maintain much of their original architectural style.
For more details about the program and how to apply for a home marker, click here.
SPOTLIGHT ON
RHS Trustee Julie Corbalis
Julie Corbalis has been teaching middle school social studies for 23 years. She joined the faculty of Rye Middle School in 2011. Previously, Julie taught at Manhattan East School for Arts and Academics (MS224) in East Harlem, NYC. She has traveled around the world both with educational as well as music groups and performed in dozens of countries, most recently Nepal in 2019. As a musician Julie has released 6 albums, the most recent being a collection of original songs and some of her favorite covers from 2015 entitled, "What's Up With This Heart?" When she is not teaching or gigging, Julie likes to be home in Ossining with her 2 dogs, Elvis and Molly, restoring antique furniture she finds on Facebook Marketplace.
Julie joined the RHS Board because she thinks it's crucial for local historical societies to be connected to young people and the school district. Currently, she is working on creating a club for middle school students that focuses on local cemetery stewardship. Her goal is to generate interest in regional history through walking field trips to Milton Cemetery and the Knapp House (see below for more details on this project).
TRUSTEE NEWS
Trustee and Rye Middle School social studies teacher Julie Corbalis (featured above) is leading the effort to establish the Rye R.I.P. (Milton Cemetery Stewardship Club) at RMS. The proposed after school club will invite Rye Middle School students to participate in a weekly walk and interdisciplinary research trip to Milton Cemetery throughout the fall. If approved, this club would meet once week at the Square House.
STAFF NEWS
Our phone is ringing as schools are actively booking Square House tours, Colonial trunks and in-classroom presentations. Milton, Osborn and Midland schools, as well as Ressurection and Rye Country Day are just some of the schools that have already reached out to schedule educational programming this fall. We have also contacted several other private schools in the area and anticipate a significant expansion of our school list in the coming year.
We are pleased to be able to customize our educational programs to meet our students where they are and support the themes being studied in the classroom. We recently customized our programming for a home school group, and we continue to receive interest from these groups about future visits to the Square House.
Coming in October – we will have new Colonial Toys in stock. Stop by the Square House and visit our gift shop, and bring the kids along for a self-guided scavenger hunt.
SUPPORT US
We are forever grateful to this wonderful community and hope you will continue to support us going forward! Donating is so easy – you can give on our website, donate by Venmo (@ryehistory1660) or PayPal (@ryehistory), or send your donation to Rye Historical Society, 1 Purchase Street, Rye, NY 10580.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We have numerous volunteer opportunities for both children and adults. Examples include school year student internships (short-term or long-term), summer camp volunteers and adult tour guides. Students can also earn community service hours for their schools while expanding their knowledge and perspective on local history. To inquire about volunteer work, please send an email to Alison Relyea (alison.relyea@ryehistory.org).