The Mayfield Historical Society was founded in 1981 and bought the Riceville Homestead in 1992. The Homestead was placed on the State Register of Historic Places and also on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The Historical Society received its Absolute or Permanent Charter in 2000. The rear of the Rice Homestead was built in 1790.The large two story main house of the Homestead was built in circa 1810 and was lived in and cared for, until recently, by the descendants of its original owner, Oliver Rice, a Veteran of the Revolutionary War. The Mayfield Historical Society now maintains the Homestead as a museum, containing a potpourri of historical treasures form the Rice family and the Mayfield area. Oliver Rice served as the area’s first postmaster.Today’s visitor can see the original mail slots.On the second floor, a room has been devoted to the glove industry which played a major role in Riceville’s more recent history. The purpose of the Mayfield Historical Society is to bring together those people interested in history, especially the history of the Town of Mayfield; to collect material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of the area; to collect archival materials and provide for preservation of such material and for its accessibility to all who wish to examine it; to preserve the Riceville Homestead and it contents; and to disseminate historical information and stimulate interest in the past and present by publishing historical and current material, by holding meetings, pageants, addresses, lectures and discussions, by marking historical buildings, sites and trails and by using the available mediato awaken public interest.. For more information or to become a member of the Mayfield Historical Society, call Sylvia Parker at (518) 661-5576. The Mayfield Historical Society meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Mayfield Presbyterian Church. There are no meetings in February and March.
Group’s Officers:
President – Sylvia Parker
Vice President – Virginia Hall
Recording Secretary – Kathy Sieg
Corresponding Secretary – Carol Jablonski Treasurer – Christine Dahl
Publicist – Dawn Ryan
The Mayfield Historical Society holds several special events throughout the season. Please see the calendar of events page for listings.Tours of the Riceville Homestead are given June through September and also by appointment by calling 661-5085 or 661-5576. The public is invited to attend the meetings and any or all special events.
