The Rehoboth Antiquarian Society is the umbrella nonprofit over the Carpenter Museum, the Blanding Free Public Library, and Arts in the Village. The RAS is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of our community, and all who are interested are welcome to become involved with the organization.
Rehoboth Antiquarian Society founders, 1884.
Our Story.
In 1884 a Rehoboth minister, George H. Tilton, decided that something should be done to preserve the remnants of the town’s colonial past. Thus inspired, he founded the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society in March of that year. The Society was established for several purposes: to preserve artifacts relating to Rehoboth’s history, to maintain a meeting hall, to provide a free library, and to run a consolidated school.
The first Goff Memorial Hall, a large, wooden Victorian-style building, was dedicated in March 1886. The antiquarian room that displayed collections was housed on the first floor. In July 1911, the building was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Fortunately, most of the artifacts were saved. A new Goff Memorial Hall was quickly planned and built (this time of brick) and was dedicated in May 1915. The building now houses the Blanding Free Public Library and Goff Memorial Hall. The school is no longer in operation.
During America’s bicentennial year, a decision was reached to build a separate structure to house the collection of the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society. In 1978 the Carpenter Museum opened as its own building and operation just down the road from the Blanding Library and Goff Hall. Originally run by volunteers with a collection of a few hundred objects, the Museum has grown to have 3 part-time employees and a collection of over 10,000 books, documents, photographs, and objects. The E. Otis Dyer Jr. Research room joined the Museum in 2018 and expanded its collection as well as its resources. Together, the Carpenter Museum and E. Otis Dyer Jr. Research Center have become a vital part of the Rehoboth community.
Inaugurated in 2001, Arts in the Village is a concert series whose purpose is to enrich the community by presenting cultural events that enlighten and inspire. All performances feature world-class talents and take place in Goff Memorial Hall, a historical venue with outstanding acoustics. Each season AIV holds five concerts, each at 2PM on Sundays.
Our Mission.
The Rehoboth Antiquarian Society preserves, promotes, and enhances the significant historical, educational, and cultural assets of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. A non-profit organization, the RAS operates the Carpenter Museum, the Blanding Public Library, and the Arts in the Village.
Our Board.
Rebecca Smith
President
Rebecca has served as Rehoboth Antiquarian Society President since 2015 and as a volunteer for much longer. A graduate of the Rehoboth school system and Williams College, she has lived nearly all her life in Rehoboth and been active on several Town boards and committees and with the schools, Girl Scouts, and the Rehoboth Animal Shelter. She joyfully brings her life-long love of books, history, and genealogy to her work with the RAS.
Beverly Baker
Vice-President
Beverly Baker has been the RAS Vice President for the past 4 years. She and her husband came to Rehoboth in 1989 to seek out a better education for their children. She has been involved with the Antiquarian Society since 1993 when she won the RAS poetry contest with her poem, ‘Tales of a Half-Penny’. She brings her antique agrarian interests to the Society, having been a member of the New England Antique Tractor & Truck Association for nearly 19 years. She is a twelve-year member of the Rehoboth Cemetery Commission and a three-year member of the Rehoboth Historical Commission.
Wayne Taylor
Treasurer
Wayne Taylor is Treasurer of the Rehoboth Antiquarian Society, a position he has held since 2019. He worked as a daily newspaper journalist after earning his B.A. degree and later began a long career as a corporate communications executive in Boston’s financial industry. Wayne and his wife Gayle have lived in Rehoboth since 1987.
Wendy Wolfe-Cardarelli
Secretary
Wendy has served as RAS Secretary since 2014. Her parents were lifetime members of the Anawan Historical Society. A graduate of DRRHS, she has lived in Rehoboth since 1969. Wendy has been active as a town office holder and member of various town boards and commissions. She retired from the legal field after 30 years in Boston.
Stay updated with RAS
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive updates on upcoming events, new exhibits, and special member offers. Be the first to know about the latest happenings at the Carpenter Museum, Blanding Free Public Library, and Arts in the Village.