New town group Rye Advocates working to create database of houses built before 1901
Fosters Daily Democrat
Published 2:40 p.m. ET April 27th, 2021 | Updated 2:48 p.m. ET April 27th, 2021
RYE – The Rye Advocates, a new town group, is working to document the historic homes in town through a survey sent out late last week.
The Rye Historical Society, and three town government boards, the Rye Heritage Commission, Rye Historic District Commission and the Demolition Review Committee all share the interest in preserving and protecting the town's older buildings and each group volunteered two representatives to form the Rye Advocates.
David Choate, chair of the Advocates, said surveys were sent out to homeowners whose houses were built before 1901. A second survey may add homes built after that in the future.
"There has been concern for several years now that there are some people who do not understand the significance of their historic homes," said Choate. "We think there are about 400 homes built before 1901 and another 200 built between 1901 and the 1950s. We are trying to make homeowners understand the importance of their historic properties. We hope to convince them not to alter homes in ways that affect their historic nature and we want them not to be torn down and replaced. Our hope is that if we create a town database we can work toward preservation of the homes."
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Choate said they based their survey on work down by the Portsmouth Advocates, who had a similar purpose in mind when they did surveys.
"New people coming in might not appreciate the value of the history their home is part of," said Choate. "We want to find a way to make the value of the homes more apparent to homeowners."
The study asks people to fill in information about their home, including the address, year they bought the property, year it was built, the style of architecture, and if they have have any historic documentation about the home.
A similar study was undertaken by Louise Tallman, a Rye historian in the 1970s and is held by the Rye Historical Society. Choate said the plan is to digitize the new survey results, so the information will be available to people buying properties.
"That information will be available to Realtors to pass on to potential buyers," said Choate. "We might consider plaques to place on the historic homes, and develop narratives for each home."
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In fact, the survey includes a contest where participants can make guesses about the number of homes built before 1901, between 1901 and 1950, and after 1950. The winner will receive a Rye Historical Society plaque, to contain information they designate.
"The Historic District Commission has some say over what happens to the outside of homes, but very little input as to what happens inside," said Choate. "We would like people to consider indoor restorations in a way that will keep the character of the historic homes. We have a demolition review committee, but it is advisory only."
The completed surveys can be returned to the Rye Advocates at P.O. Box 583, or dropped off at the Rye Heritage Commission's box at Rye Town Hall, 10 Central Road. Surveys can be completed online at http://bit.ly/RyeAdvocatesSurvey2021.