Privateers: sanctioned seafaring swindlers or daring sailors that turned the tides of America’s struggle for freedom?
Rye Historical Society invites you to a very special weekend to explore the enthralling nautical history of privateering during one of America’s most tumultuous time periods.
The Story of Privateering in the Revolutionary War with Eric Dolin
On Friday, October 16th, join us for a very special evening with Eric Jay Dolin, critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling author of Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution. Dolin will share fresh insight into the ways privateers were fundamental to the outcome of the American Revolution. At a time when the British navy was the most powerful force on the water, the Continental Congress gave freelance fleets of whaleboats and merchant vessels letters of marque, empowering them to scour the coastlines and open oceans in hopes of capturing British ships, thereby putting a thorn in the side of the oppressive forces threatening colonial freedoms.
From 6-7pm, join us at the historic Square House museum for Dolin’s presentation on the daring exploits of these rebellious sailors.
Light bites and drinks will be available from 5:30-6pm prior to the talk. Mr. Dolin will be available after the presentation for a short Q&A and opportunity to sign copies of his work, Rebels at Sea, as well as his newest work, The Wreck of the Mentor. Copies will be available courtesy of Arcade Books.
About the Author
Eric Jay Dolin is the author of seventeen books, including Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America; A Furious Sky: The Five-Hundred-Year History of America’s Hurricanes; Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America’s Most Notorious Pirates; and Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution. His newest work, available since June 2, 2026, is The Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair, and Deliverance in the Age of Sail.
Dolin's books have won many awards including the John Lyman Award for U.S. Maritime History; Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in American History Book Award for Adult Nonfiction; Samuel Eliot Morison Book Award for Naval Literature; L. Byrne Waterman Book Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research and Pedagogy in the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences; James P. Hanlan Book Award; and the Outdoor Writers Association of America Book Award. Many of his books have been chosen as “must reads” by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. Other honors include being chosen as a finalist for the Kirkus Prize, and as one of the best books of the year by The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, the Library Journal, and Booklist. Dolin lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts, with his family.
A Special Tour of the Tall Ship The Lynx
Have you wondered what it would have been like aboard privateering ships? Continue to explore the thrilling nautical history of privateers during the American Revolution with a once-in-a-lifetime experience inspired by this year’s momentous 250th commemorations. Westchester County is honored to host the Tall Ship The Lynx at Echo Bay Yacht Club in New Rochelle, NY. This masterfully crafted Tall Ship is inspired by a privateer modeled after those used during the Revolutionary War.
On Saturday, October 17th, Rye Historical Society invites participants on a private guided tour of The Lynx. Join us for light refreshments at 8:30am at the Square House Museum and then hop on a bus ride to New Rochelle. Participants will leave the Square House and arrive at The Lynx at 9:30am before the ship opens to the general public. Visitors will have the opportunity to board the ship, learn more about the ship and its history, and get a unique, personal experience that that will be remembered for the next 50 years!
For more information about The Lynx and its crew, please visit https://www.tallshiplynx.org/.
Tickets will be available for each individual event or as a discounted bundled special! Purchase your tickets at https://givebutter.com/sail-through-history-k5bzgb.