Thomas Ruggles came to the coast of then Massachusetts to seek his fortune. He found it in the many opportunities the are had to offer. And in 1818 he built a house...
Over the years, the family grew. Thomas & Ruth's children and grandchildren lived in the house for the next 100 years. This house has only ever been the Ruggles home or the museum.
Time was not always kind to the Ruggles House. Mary Ruggles Chandler and others who saw it as a treasure worked long hard to preserve and restore it.
Today, the Ruggles House Society maintains the house and the collections. With the exception of 2020, the house has been open to guests every summer since 1950. This will be our 72nd season.
Preservation is never "done" . The Society continues to add items to our collection and enhance the guest's experience. Our current goal is to replace one of the original barns.
We usually host two major events per year. Unfortunately COVID-19 has put these on hold for the time being.