The Rye Free Reading Room began as the dream of a few concerned citizens who met in the Milton Road home of Reginald P. Sherman in 1884. They formed a constitution for a new library organization, primarily as a place for young men and boys to recreate and escape the undesirable effects of saloons. In 1887, membership rateres were set at $1 for yearly dues, increasing to $5 a year in 1900.
The Purdy Cottage on Purchase Street was the library’s first building. In 1905, Sarah Parsons, widow of a prominent city father, bequeathed the present site with its picturesque view of the Village Green. In 1913, the beautiful Georgian brick building opened. The architects were New York based Upjohn & Constable, and construction was carried out by the D. H. Beary firm in Rye. The library building was funded entirely through community donations, with the trustees even turning down funding from Andrew Carnegie in order to retain independent control.
Since the founding of the Rye Free Reading Room, the Friends of the Library have shaped the character of the library. From monetary donations, to community service, to volunteering for the Auxiliary Board or Board of Trustees, Rye residents have helped make the Rye Free Reading Room possible.
Thank you for continuing that legacy, for making it possible to fill the shelves with materials, to offer engaging public programs, and to sustain the beautiful landmark building on the Village Green. None of this would be possible without Friends like you.
