Revolutionary Rye 250 (RR250) is a committee of the Rye Historical Society, committed to researching, preserving, and celebrating the unique heritage of United States Revolutionary Era History. Inspired by America 250, the NYS 250th Commemoration Commission, and Revolutionary Westchester 250 (RW250) which commemorates the 250th anniversary or semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence, RR250 is focused on the enduring legacy of the American Revolution, with a special emphasis on our local narrative.
The original settlement of Rye began in 1660 at Peningo Neck, established by a group of settlers who named it after Rye in Sussex, England, in 1665. Rye was initially part of a larger area acquired from Native Americans by settlers from Greenwich, Connecticut. This area encompassed what are now Rye, Port Chester, and parts of Harrison and Purchase. Over time, Rye’s broader boundaries evolved, and the surrounding areas developed into the distinct towns and villages we know today. Our steering committee reflects members from the greater Rye community, acknowledging this shared history.
By engaging various stakeholders—including residents, educators, artists, the business community, students, and policymakers—RR250 seeks to foster a connection with our collective history. This engagement aims to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the events in and around Rye, NY, that have shaped the broader narrative of the United States, showcasing the evolution of core ideals such as freedom, liberty, and justice over time.
UPCOMING RR250 EVENTS
Prelude to the Revolution in a New York Border Town
Sunday, February 1st - 3pm
Rye Free Reading Room
On July 11, 1776, Rye resident John Thomas Jr. read the Declaration of Independence publicly from the footsteps of the White Plains Courthouse. The New York Provincial Congress had officially ratified the Declaration two days before the excited crowd heard those stirring words. The excitement, however, was not shared by all of their neighbors or even their own family members. Many in Rye and the surrounding towns remained loyal to the King and were deeply opposed to independence. Join us on February 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Rye Free Reading Room to hear Rye resident Lear Beyer discuss the unique history of our area leading up to the Revolution and how it became the epicenter of America’s first Civil War.
Cowboys and Skinners: The Perilous Life in the Neutral Ground
Sunday, March 15th - 3PM
Rye Free Reading Room
Hear Jan Kelsey, Rye resident, President of the Board of Trustees of the Westchester Historical Society, and former archivist for the Rye Historical Society, discuss the Cowboys and Skinners, two notorious gangs that ravaged Rye and Westchester County during the Revolutionary War. Our communities endured 7 years of fear and lawlessness from 1776 to 1783 as they faced foraging troops, gangs of marauders, military skirmishes, economic hardship and political upheaval on a daily basis. Families had divided loyalties and many fled to either New York or Connecticut to escape the violence of the so-called “Neutral Ground.”
Please stay tuned.
To learn more about RR250 events and initiatives, click below.
Revolutionary Rye 250 Steering Committee
The RR250 Steering Committee Commission has established a plan and is implementing events leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
Co-Chairs:
Jeannette Cummins, Rye Historical Society
Pam McGuire, Rye Historical Society
Members:
Tricia Madden, Wainwright House
Shelley Mayer, Office of State Senator Mayer
Susan Morison, Rye Historical Society
Daniel O’Day, Rye Historical Society
Steve Otis, NY Assembly Office
Milly Pena, Purchase College
Jono Peters, Rye Historical Society
Caden Powers, RCDS Student
Debbie Reisner, Town of Rye
Paul Rheingold, Rye Historical Society
Frank Sanchez, Manhattanville University
Chris Shoemaker, Rye Free Reading Room
Stacey Sotirhos, RCDS
Jonathan Spurrell, Rye Historical Society
Arthur Stampleman, Rye Historical Society
Tracy Stora, Conservation Commission/Advisory Council
Jean Taplett, Town of Harrison
Lexy Tomaino, Wainwright House
Lisa Urban, NY Assembly Office
Teresa Vega, Historian and Genealogist
Philip Verona, Rye High School
James Ward, The Rye Sustainability Committee
Rye Historical Committee Staff:
Christine Moore, Archival Researcher
Natalie Hofstedt, Director of Programs
Lear Beyer, Rye Historical Society
Rachel Breinin, Wainwright House
Douglas Carey, Leaders of Tomorrow
Suzanne Clary, Jay Heritage Center
Josh Cohn, Former Mayor/City of Rye
Joie Cooney, Rye Historical Society
Lindsay Craig, Non-profit Leader
Barbara Cummings, Rye Historical Society
Barbara Davis, Westchester Historical Society
Rachel Estroff, Office of State Senator Mayer
Clemmie Everett, Rye Country Day School
Brandon Farewell, Rye High School
Peter Feinman, Institute of History, Archaeology, and Education
Peter Fellows, Mamaroneck Historical Society
Tracy Fitzpatrick, Purchase College
Anne Gold, New Rochelle Downtown BID
DJ Hennes, Rye Historical Society
Paul Hicks, Rye Historical Society
Howard Husock, Rye Historical Society
Jackie Jenkins, Rye Historical Society
Robin Jovanovich, Former owner of Rye Record
Constance Kehoe, Revolutionary Westchester 250
Lisa Keller, Purchase College
Jan Kelsey, Rye Historical Society
Christen Klewicki, Rye High School
George Krajca, Rye High School
Robin Latimer, American Legion Auxiliary