E-Mail: info@historicrugby.org

Daily Site Admission & Hours of Operation:
Come to the new Visitor Centre & Theatre for site admission which includes Mural and Power of a Dream film, historic exhibits, village map and guided interpretive tour of Christ Church Episcopal, Kingstone Lisle, Thomas Hughes Library, and Schoolhouse Exhibits.

Historic Rugby
Time stands still at Rugby, Tennessee - the restored Victorian village founded in 1880 by British author and social reformer, Thomas Hughes. It was to be a cooperative, class-free, agricultural community for younger sons of English gentry and others wishing to start life anew in America. At its peak in the mid-1880s, some 300 people lived in the colony. More than 65 buildings of Victorian design graced the townscape on East Tennessee's beautiful Cumberland Plateau.

This would-be Utopia survives today as both a living community and a fascinating public historic site, unspoiled by modern development. Twenty original buildings still stand, nestled between the Big South Fork National Recreation Area and the Rugby State Natural Area, surrounded by rugged river gorges and historic trails. Historic Rugby has been open to the public since 1966 and is nationally recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and many others as one of the most authentically restored and preserved communities in America.

"There is this lovely corner of God's earth which has been intrusted to us. What, as a community, is our first duty with regard to it? There can be no hesitation about the answer. It is to treat it lovingly and reverently. We can add little, perhaps, to its natural beauty, but at least we can be careful to spoil it as little as possible." - Thomas Hughes’ Opening Day Speech - Oct. 5, 1880

Historic Rugby Lodging - A Special Experience
Step back into Victorian times at restored Newbury House Bed and Breakfast, built in 1880 as the first boarding house in the Rugby colony. It has six Victorian-furnished bedrooms, four with private baths and two sharing a large bath in the hall.


Events

Rugby Quilts - Past & Present
April 08 & 09, 2011 - 10:00 am - 4 pm
Honoring & preserving the art and heritage of quilting, past & present. Quilt Exhibit, Visit and shop your favorite quilt vendors, Quilt appraisals, Bed Turning, Join us for the showing of "How to Make the American Quilt" in the Rebecca Johnson Theatre. British & Appalachian food favorites at the Harrow Road Cafe.

37th Annual Festival of British & Appalachian Culture
May 14 & 15, 2011 - 10:00 am
Join us in celebration of our British Isles & Appalachian Heritage. Saturday, May 14th will feature the first "PICKIN' IN RUGBY" Bluegrass competition. Music & Dancing, Traditional Arts & Crafts, Artisian Demonstrations & Selling Their Wares - Storytelling - Historic Building Tours - Delicious Food. Call toll-free, 1-888-214-3400 for more information.

Cumberland Odyssey & Book Signing with Bobby Fulcher Bluegrass Music
June 05, 2011 - 3:00 pm
Join author David Brill and photographer Bill Campbell for a personal journey through their new book "Cumberland Odyssey". Bobby Fulcher will feature authentic old-time bluegrass music in the Rebecca Johnson Theatre.

Legacy Concert & Antique Car Show
July 09, 2011 - 7:30 pm
Concerts on the Lawn are a favorite summer activity. Join us for the vintage sounds of Rock n' Roll with Legacy. Come early and see the Antique Car Show.

Halloween Ghostly Gathering
October 22, 2011 - 6:00 pm
A Calling of the Spirits of Rugby's Past - Award Winning Chili Dinner - Lantern Lit Tours to Historic Buildings - Story Telling - Druid's Bonfire Advance Reservations Required - Call toll-free, 1-888-214-3400.

Halloween Ghostly Gathering
October 29, 2011 - 6:00 pm
A Calling of the Spirits of Rugby's Past - Award Winning Chili Dinner - Lantern Lit Tours to Historic Buildings - Story Telling - Druid's Bonfire Advance Reservations Required - Call toll-free, 1-888-214-3400.

Thanksgiving Day - CLOSED

November 24, 2011 - 1:00 am

Thanksgiving Marketplace
November 25, 2011 - 10:00 am
Start or Finish your Christmas Shopping at the Shoppes of Rugby including Rugby's Commissary, The Spirit of Red Hill, The Carriage Gallery & The Shoppe at Zenith Cottage. Demonstrating Artisans & Craftfolk - Tours of Historic Buildings. Experience a real Victorian Cream Tea at 1880 Newbury House B&B - Delicious Meals at the Harrow Road Cafe - Cream Tea, Advance Reservations Required. Call toll-free, 1-888-214-3400 for more information.

Christmas At Historic Rugby
December 03, 2011 - 4:00 pm
Hark back to 1180s Rugby Christmases - Visit Beautifully Decorated Candle & Lamp Lit Buildings - Enjoy Music & Actors Portraying Early Rugby Colonists - Join in Carol Singing w/Hot Wassail - Christmas Treasures at The Shops of Rugby - Four Course Victorian Dinner at the Harrow Road Cafe (Reservations required) Call toll-free, 1-888-214-3400 for more information and reservations.

Victorian Holiday Home Tour
December 10, 2011 - 2:00 pm
Tour 10 Private Victorian Homes Decorated For The Holidays. Call toll-free, 1-888-214-3400 for more information.