Incorporated: 1726
Population: 5,271
County Name: Rockingham
(county map)
Town Contact:
Town of Rye
10 Central Road
Rye, NH 03870

Phone: 603-964-5523
Fax: 603-964-1516
Website: Town of Rye

Origin:
The first settlement in New Hampshire, established by David Thompson in 1623 at Odiorne's Point, and named Pannaway. Originally part of Portsmouth, it was incorporated as a parish of New Castle in 1726. The town is named for the borough of Rye, a flourishing English Channel town. Rye's eight-mile length of coastline is dotted with old names such as Wallis Sands, Jenness Beach, Locke's Neck, Ragged Neck, Rye Harbor, and Odiorne Point. In 1876, four of the Isles of Shoals were annexed to the town, the only New Hampshire town with Atlantic islands. The remaining five islands belong to Maine.

More about Rye:
From the State Harbor to Jenness & Rye State Park to Wallis Sands and Odiorne Point, Rye is the classic seacoast town. Jump on a whale watch from the harbor, or take a cruise over to the Isles of Shoals. The rocky shoreline is breathtaking New England scenery at its best.