Off the coast of Rye, a vanished era of grand island hotels, rivalries, and resilience still echoes across the Isles of Shoals.

Join The Rye Historical Society on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Rye Public Library from 6-7:30 p.m. for “Rye’s Star Island Connection: The Oceanic Hotel’s 150 Years at Sea,” presented by Anne Beattie and Joe Watts.

Learn the fascinating history of the grand Oceanic Hotel on Star Island, part of Rye, NH - one of New England’s last remaining Victorian-era resort hotels.

Discover the clever scheme that sparked its creation and the spirited rivalry with the famed Appledore House just across the harbor, as hundreds once packed their trunks to summer at the Isles of Shoals.

Hear how devastating fires destroyed both hotels, and marvel at the ingenuity that led to the Oceanic’s rebirth, preserving its legacy on storied Star Island.

Today, visitors continue to be drawn by the island’s natural beauty and enduring sense of place. Ongoing sustainability and preservation efforts on Star Island ensure that this remarkable setting, and the Oceanic itself, will be a protected part of the Rye community for generations to come.

Anne Beattie is an educator with a fascination for the Isles of Shoals and its rich history

Joe Watts is the Chief Executive Officer of Star Island Corporation

Information: https://ryepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/.../star.../

Community Meeting Room, Rye Public Library, 581 Washington Road, Rye, NH

No registration required