Historic Rugby Today
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Historic Rugby is one of America's most intriguing historic sites. It operates within the tiny village of Rugby, a living community. More than 65,000 visitors from all 50 states and many foreign countries are welcomed to Historic Rugby annually for guided tours, workshops, special events and overnight lodging in restored historic buildings. Non-profit Historic Rugby was formed by area residents in 1966 who were determined to begin restoring and preserving the remaining buildings and landscape and interpreting Rugby’s history to the public. In 1972 Historic Rugby was listed as a district on the National Register of Historic Places, and today is pursuing National Landmark status. Daily tours, workshops and educational programs and events take place year round. An award-winning Master Plan for the entire district and comprehensive Landscape Master Plan help guide the goals and activities of the organization. Ten buildings have been restored or historically reconstructed for public use, and a 150-acre greenbelt purchased to help protect the 1,000-acre historic district. The Rugby Archive & Research Centre has been established to preserve the hundreds of manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, letters, financial records, maps and deeds which comprise one of the most extensive records in America of a 19th century intentional community. While much has been accomplished, much more remains to be done to assure Historic Rugby’s continued interpretation and perpetual preservation and protection from incompatible development. Perhaps the most challenging and exciting project yet undertaken is the restoration of 1881 Uffington House, the home of the founder’s aged mother and young niece. When that is accomplished, further historic reconstructions are planned, including the Alexander/Perrigo Boarding House and, someday, the three-story Tabard Inn with its wide verandahs, billiard room and Victorian furnished bedrooms and dining room. Today some 85 residents live in Rugby, where 20 of the original Victorian buildings still stand in rugged river gorge surroundings. Privately owned historic homes have been restored by their owners. Design controlled new homes are being built by modern-day “colonists” at Beacon Hill, an area designated on the 1880 town plan for residences. Whether working together to keep historic walking trails open and roadsides clean of litter or gathering for potlucks and holiday celebrations, Rugby residents seem to be experiencing a growing spirit of cooperation - just as Thomas Hughes hoped.
That there was anything left to restore and preserve in Rugby is due to these dear people and many others too numerous to mention....people who believed that one day Rugby would thrive again. Thanks to the support of residents, members and donors, Rugby is indeed thriving again, without sacrificing its historic integrity and natural beauty. Thomas Hughes and his followers would be proud. |
Many past Rugby and area residents and descendants now
gone have helped lovingly care for Rugby and bring about it's restoration - Will and Sarah
Walton, Nelly Lender Oberheu Brooks, Helen Turner, Hugo and Patricia Wichman, James Keen,
Thula Justice, Helen Lourie, Oscar and Allen Palmer Martin, Irving and Ida Mae Martin,
Dorothy Stagg and Brian Stagg, who was the founding director of Historic Rugby
(shown at left in 1974 with a consultant).