The Rye Historical Society serves as the preservationists for all of Rye and for all of its residents. Being a member of the Rye Historical Society is to believe in preserving and celebrating Rye’s unique historic heritage, including the Square House Museum and the Knapp House, the oldest home in Westchester County. Join the Rye Historical Society today and your membership will help us continue to provide for the preservation of these historic buildings in our community and so much more.

Become a member: https://givebutter.com/RHSMembership25

You can also support our Annual Appeal, where your donation—whether small or large—directly supports our exhibitions, archives, educational programming, lectures, tours, historic-house maintenance, and our upcoming Revolutionary 250th Anniversary initiatives.

Support our Annual Appeal: https://givebutter.com/RHSAppeal2025

This year, former first lady Barbara Bush would have turned 100. In our exciting new exhibit, A Celebration of Life, Literacy and Legacy, we honor Bush’s deep connection to the Rye community, her steadfast devotion to literacy and her generosity of spirit. Bush grew up on Onondaga Street in Rye, and spent countless hours at the Rye Free Reading Room nurturing a love of books that would shape her life’s work. She never forgot her roots in Rye, as evidenced by the collection of pictures, personal notes, books and memorabilia featured in the exhibit, both from the Rye Historical Society archives and generously loaned to us by friends, family and admirers of Barbara Bush.

Exhibition Open: March 21, 2025 - March 27, 2026

The Unforgiving Yardstick exhibition tells the stories of ten women whose lives span over 300 years, from the 1700s through today. One of these ten women is Peg Lyon, whose story is the earliest in the exhibition, offering a rare glimpse into the life of an enslaved woman during the American Revolution—a time when the ideals of liberty and freedom were widely proclaimed but not extended to all.

Admission is free, but support is appreciated through donations or museum membership.
Become a member here: Rye Historical Society Membership

________________________________________
Painted by Fleur Spolidor
Photographed by Jim Frank
Peg Lyon’s portrait is based on a compilation of several photographs of her descendants, including her 4x great-granddaughter and Rye Historical Society board member, Teresa Vega. Peg was tri-racial, with Munsee Lenape and mixed East and West African ancestry on her maternal side and British ancestry on her paternal side.