The Nye Museum is located at the historic homestead of Benjamin Nye and Katherine Tupper—two English-born immigrants who helped settle the Town of Sandwich in 1637. In 1678, the couple became pioneers once again when they established the family homestead in East Sandwich at the present-day location of the Nye Museum. We are dedicated to preserving and maintaining the historic buildings and grounds that Benjamin, Katherine, and their descendants built and developed.
In order to ensure the integrity of this slice of our national heritage, the Nye Museum employs professional historians, an archaeologist, and other museum personnel in year-round capacities.
Completed Preservation:
1959
Rosanna Cullity and Roswell Nye revive Nye Family of America Association in order to save the Benjamin Nye Homestead from being torn down.
PHOTOS
1959 article, Rosanna Cullity portrait, Roswell H. Nye
1972
Nye Museum opens to the public.
1981-2
Restoration of the upstairs chamber to its earliest form.
PHOTO
Upstairs chamber before work
1985
Restoration of the hearth and 1770s era kitchen.
PHOTO
Tearing up the kitchen floor
1991
Nye Museum acquires the 1889 Grange Hall in order to preserve and renews its tradition of community event programming.
PHOTOS
Grange Hall – 1, Grange Hall – 2
2002
Nye Museum signs agreement with Division of Fisheries & Wildlife to manage land along the marsh in order to clear overgrown areas.
PHOTO
Management Agreement with DFW – clearing begins
2003
Restoration of pool, fish ladder, and meadow.
2005
Small Chamber (Borning) Room repair.
2009
Museum acquires 1.39 acres surrounding its buildings, as well as mill.
PHOTOS
Land Swap with DFW, Pres. Judy Hendy and Atty. Peter Conathan
2010
Mill flume archaeology dig.
2013
Museum acquires neck adjacent to Nye Pond.
2015-16
Joseph Nye Parlor Restoration of sills, floor joists, and floor. Archaeological survey.
2016-19
Restoration of mill into Nye Mill Museum.
