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Welcome to the Committee;
to Save the Bird Homestead
A hands-on learning center nestled along the banks
of the Blind Brook Estuary in Rye, New York.
Upcoming Events
No events at the moment
Our Mission
Committee to Save the Bird Homestead, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and educational use of the historic Bird Homestead and the adjacent Rye Meeting House. Our mission is to foster public appreciation of the site’s historical, cultural, environmental, and educational significance—ensuring that future generations can learn from and connect with the legacy of the Bird family and the unique coastal heritage of Rye, New York.
Our Vision
To transform the Bird Homestead, the Rye Meeting House, and surrounding historic properties into an engaging, hands-on learning center that fosters education, environmental stewardship, and community enrichment for all ages.
Our Focus
To better understand the motivation behind our work, we honor the key legacies that shape the heart of our mission at the Bird Homestead and Rye Meeting House. These legacies—rooted in environmental science, art, education, and civic engagement—inspire our focus on preservation, interpretation, and public enrichment through thoughtful programming and stewardship.
The Legacies We Preserve
Historic Preservation
The passion for discovery that inspired the Bird family and drove them to the ends of the earth—combined with our dedication to preserving the legacies of William Voris and the Birds—places historical discovery and preservation at the core of our mission.
Biology & Earth Sciences
The scientific contributions of the Bird family defy simple categorization. Henry Bird’s work in entomology, along with the rich coastal ecology surrounding our properties, forms the foundation of our biological focus. Roland and Junius Bird’s achievements in paleontology and archaeology inspire our continued exploration of Rye’s natural and cultural history, advancing our mission to study and protect the environment and its past.
Homesteading & Hands-On Learning
To preserve history, we must understand the era we seek to represent. Our focus on the mid-to-late 19th century—when the Bird family flourished, William Voris built his legacy, and the Meeting House was known as Grace Chapel—informs our immersive, hands-on programs. Inspired by Henry Bird’s dual passions for entomology and craftsmanship, we champion experiential education rooted in woodworking, horticulture, and domestic arts.
Entrepreneurship
William Voris was a visionary entrepreneur who built several successful businesses from his home on Milton Road during a time when most African Americans faced severe societal limitations. He operated a saloon and inn on the property and may have also run an ice cream shop that catered to summer visitors near modern-day Rye Playland. His legacy of resilience and innovation continues to inspire our work and educational initiatives.
The Properties
These three adjacent historic sites are owned by the City of Rye and operated by the nonprofit Bird Homestead & Meeting House Conservancy. In 2008, we partnered with the City to acquire the Bird Homestead from the Bird family, ensuring the preservation of this rare piece of Rye’s heritage and celebrating the family’s remarkable legacy In 2010, the City entrusted our Conservancy with the stewardship of the Rye Meeting House—originally acquired in 2002 from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the source of its name.Just north of the Meeting House stood the home and business of William Voris, an African-American entrepreneur whose story began in 1841. His achievements, forged in a pre-Civil War America, are both remarkable and vital to understanding our shared cultural history.Our vision is to transform these properties into an immersive center for learning—offering educational events and comprehensive courses in history and the humanities. Our inaugural programming, launching in April 2024, will feature coursework in paleontology, coastal ecology, and children’s literature.
The Bird Homestead
Just north of the Meeting House is a cluster of 19th-century farm buildings, which we lovingly refer to as The Bird Homestead. Home to many generations of the remarkable Bird Family. The modest Greek Revival house provides a rare glimpse of homestead
living with it’s working barn, woodworking shop, boathouse, and chicken coop. From this historic home, the extraordinary Bird Family embarked on adventures in art, science, literature and conservation that covered thousands of miles, delved millions of years back in time, and literally rewrote the history books.
The Meeting House
Once a humble one-room schoolhouse, the Rye Meeting House has stood as a pillar of the Milton Road community since the 19th century. Relocated to its current site in 1867, it was transformed into an Episcopal chapel by Christ’s Church. A South addition soon followed, housing a reading room and circulating library. In 1959, it was adopted by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), earning the name we use today.Now, the Meeting House serves as the heart of our programming. It hosts all lectures, events, and coursework—bringing new life to a building long central to community learning and connection. In Spring 2024, we launched our first paid courses in paleontology, coastal ecology, and children’s literature, complementing our ongoing free lecture series held each Spring and Fall.The Meeting House is open most Saturdays and Sundays. Visitors are always welcome to stop by, and private tours are available upon request. To schedule a tour or learn more, please contact us at admin@savethebirdhomestead.org
William Voris Archaelogical Site
Tucked between the Bird Homestead to the north and the Meeting House to the south lies the original foundation of what we now recognize as the William Voris Archaeological Site. William Voris—a pioneering African American saloonkeeper and entrepreneur—began owning and operating this land in 1841, alongside his mother and son. His success was extraordinary for the time, making his story a vital chapter in both local and national history.In July 2024, we will begin the third and final phase of an archaeological dig that started four years ago. Upon its completion, we will debut a self-guided walking tour of the Voris property, complete with interpretive signage that honors his legacy and illuminates life in the 19th-century Milton Hamlet.Our work to uncover Mr. Voris’s story continues. To support this effort, we are offering research internships for high school and college students passionate about history and interested in careers in archaeology or preservation. admin@savethebirdhomestead.org
Our People
The Bird Homestead & Meeting House Conservancy is a 100% volunteer organization, which means every penny we raise goes directly to the restoration of the properties and daily pursuit of achieving our vision.
It also means we need your help! Please feel free to reach out to any of our Trustees or through our contact us form.
Community Programs
Throughout the year, we offer lectures, hands-on educational courses, and field trips designed to fulfill our mission and underscore our commitment to the community. All events are free and –with the exception of field trips– take place at the properties. We host field trips for students from local and neighboring communities at the Conservancy, as well as field trips to nearby locales whose history is interwoven with ours. In addition, we host acoustic concerts, fundraising events, and thank you parties for the community.
Click here for a list of upcoming events.
Meeting House Rental
Like its name suggests, The Meeting House is a wonderful spot for small family get togethers, low-key birthday parties, music recitals, and organizational off-sites. If you are interested in renting The Meeting House for a private event, please send us an email.
Come for a visit!
624 Milton Road, RYE, NY 10580
An Irs Registered NGO
EIN - 26-3149555
If you'd like to schedule a visit with one of our docents, send us an email or call (917) 471-1221.