About this Event
Rye Through the Lens: Lew Karabatsos & Contemporary Views of Rye
Saturday, October 24, 2026
11:30 a.m.
Rye Public Library
Join the Rye Historical Society for a special celebration of Rye’s history — and its present — through the lens of photography.
Meet Lew Karabatsos: Rye Through the Lens
The program will feature an interview with Lew Karabatsos, Chair of the Rye Historical Society Collections Committee and compiler and editor of the new book Rye Through the Lens, published by Arcadia Publishing.
Drawing on more than 160 photographs from the Rye Historical Society's collection, Rye Through the Lens takes us on a visual journey through Rye from 1880 to 1985. The photographs capture fishermen at work, schoolchildren, family gatherings, farmers in the fields, Rye Harbor, lifesaving stations, coastal scenes, and generations of familiar Rye families.
During the interview, Lew will talk about the photographs featured in the book, how they were discovered and selected, and what these remarkable images can tell us about the people and places that have shaped Rye.
To pre-order a book, visit www.ryenhhistoricalsociety.org/book-launch-2026
Following the interview, Lew will be available to sign copies of Rye Through the Lens. Books will be available for purchase, with all sales benefiting the Rye Historical Society.
Contemporary Views of Rye
The program also marks the opening of Contemporary Views of Rye, a special exhibition of photographs by local-area photographers.
Sponsored by the Rye Historical Society as part of the Rye300 celebration, the exhibition invites photographers to share their contemporary views of the community — from familiar landmarks and coastal scenes to quiet moments and unexpected perspectives that capture what makes Rye special.
The exhibition will feature both color and black-and-white photographs and will be on display at the Rye Public Library from October 24 through November 28, 2026.
This is a non-competitive exhibition, but visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite Rye photograph!
Celebrate Rye — Past and Present
Come explore Rye through photographs spanning more than a century, hear the stories behind the images, meet Lew Karabatsos, and discover how today's photographers see the town we call home.
The event is part of a special year for Rye as we celebrate 300 years as a parish, the 50th anniversary of the Rye Historical Society, and America's 250th birthday.
Admission is free.
For questions about the contemporary photography exhibition or future participation, contact the Rye Historical Society at [email protected].
Event venue & nearby stays
Rye Public Library, Washington Road, Rye, NH, USA, United States
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