Archives of Affection features vintage Valentine cards from the museum's collection, highlighting 20th century artistry with intricate lace and gold leaf detail. Located in the museum’s downstairs Council Room.

We are proud to participate in the Rye Art's Center's "Art for Purchase", a month-long installation that places original artwork by local and regional artists directly into the storefronts of Rye’s retail district. Stop by the Square House Museum to view Susan Deshensky's lovely quilts on display in our exhibition room. Susan is the owner of Lady Blue Quilt Studio and creates one of a kind t-shirt and memory quilts. For more information about the artist, visit www.ladybluequilts.com

For more about the ‘Art for Purchase’ event visit The Rye Art Center.

Mini-Exhibition

Explore the twists and turns of fashion through the decades with our Hats From the Past mini exhibition! From the sharp lines of top hats to the playful elegance of pillboxes, this charming collection reveals how hats evolved from practical protection to powerful symbols of status and style.

Did you know the average American bought 1–2 hats a year in the 1880s? Come see why hats were once a must-have for everyone!

Featuring:

• A Green Velvet & Feather Hat straight out of the 1950s glam era

• A Straw Boater Hat, once the staple of the working-class summer look

• And the showstopper: a Brown Cashmere Felt Hat worn by anthropologist and Rye local Elsie Clews Parsons, who’s also featured in our major exhibition The Unforgiving Yardstick

With vintage accessories, hatpins, brushes, and beautifully decorated hat boxes, there’s more than just fashion to discover.

Mini Exhibit

In the Victorian Age, when strict social codes governed every glance and greeting, women found a clever and graceful way to express themselves—through the subtle art of fan language.

With nearly a hundred fans in our collection, this mini exhibit will be changed through out its run, highlighting these gorgeous fans. Discover how these beautiful accessories became silent instruments of romance and intrigue. A glance over the top, a flutter near the heart, a quick snap shut each movement carried meaning in a world where open flirtation was forbidden.

Come discover the hidden messages, decode the unspoken, and experience how love once danced on the breeze.

March 21, 2025 – March 27, 2026
Presented by the Rye Historical Society, ArtsWestchester, and Ambassador John L. Loeb

About the Exhibition
The Unforgiving Yardstick explores the stories of women who shaped history and continue to influence our world today. Discover the stories of ten trailblazing Westchester women through portraiture, mixed media, and sculptural garments that reflect the restrictions they faced. This two-floor exhibition at the Square House Museum uncovers their struggles, triumphs, and lasting impact.

For centuries, women have been measured—both literally and figuratively—against societal standards that dictated their roles, freedoms, and even their attire. Led by artist Fleur Spolidor, this exhibition presents 23 original works, including portraits of remarkable Westchester women and sculptural pieces crafted from measuring tapes. From corsets to cycling bloomers, these works challenge us to reconsider the ways in which women’s lives have been shaped—and constrained—through history.

Click here to a video about ‘The Unforgiving Yardstick’.

Created with support from the Archives and Collection of the Rye Catalog.

More info: www.artefleur.com

This February, explore Tokens of Affection, a special mini-exhibit from our Cabinet of Curiosity Series. Featuring vintage Valentine cards, handwritten letters, and small keepsakes like lockets and charms from the museum's collection, this exhibit highlights the timeless tradition of expressing love and admiration through meaningful, heartfelt objects.

Come see our temporary winter exhibit, open starting November 22nd throughout the holiday season as we celebrate and appreciate winter traditions practiced here in Rye.

Visit during regular hours to explore our new mini-exhibition, on display until November 5th, 2024—just in time for Halloween! Step into the Spooky Square House and discover unusual objects from our collection, each with a story to tell