‘Giving Ryde’s Past to the Future’

Historic Ryde Society Quiz Night Thursday 30 April 2026 at Yelf's Hotel, at 7p.m. for 7.30pm.

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BREW in the Arcade

  BREW – We would like to say a warm welcome to BREW who has joined us and the marvellous unique shops in The Royal Victoria Arcade in Union Street Ryde. BREW opened for the first on 18 February. BREW is just upstairs to our Museum which re-opened this week – The museum is open from 10.30 to 4.00 with last admission at 3.15 – Tuesdays to Saturday – £5 admission £1 children ( age 8-16) and under 8’s free and your ticket lasts for 14 days. Plenty of local history including ghosts and runaway bears Sportsmen, Policemen, An Ice Well and Cheeky Works of Donald McGill.

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Season’s Greetings from the Historic Ryde Society and the Museum of Ryde

As the year draws to a close, we would like to extend our warmest Christmas greetings and best wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone who has supported the Historic Ryde Society and the Museum of Ryde throughout 2025. A sincere thank you to our volunteers, collaborators, supporters, and friends, as well as to all visitors who have taken the time to explore Ryde’s remarkable heritage. Your enthusiasm, encouragement, and commitment help us protect and share the stories that make our town so special. Museum Christmas and New Year Closure Dates Please note that the Museum of Ryde will be closed from Sunday, 20 December 2025 and will re-open on Monday, 17 February 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back in February, refreshed and ready for another year of exhibitions, discoveries, and community events. With best wishes,The Historic Ryde SocietyMuseum of Ryde

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Donald McGill Museum

Donald McGill: The King of the Seaside Postcard Step into the vibrant world of Donald McGill, often hailed as the “King of the Seaside Postcard”. From 1904 to 1962, McGill created over 12,000 unique artworks, each a miniature reflection of British life. His postcards captured everything from the shifting sands of the Suffragette movement and the advent of new transport, to the sombre realities of two World Wars. They form a colourful, often humorous, social history of nearly six decades. A Glimpse into the Collection at Ryde Today, the Historic Ryde Society is proud to present the Donald McGill Saucy Seaside Postcard Museum. This remarkable collection, acquired in 2009 by James Bissell-Thomas along with the copyright to McGill’s extensive body of work, offers an unparalleled look into the artist’s prolific career and the evolving social attitudes of the 20th century. When Humour Met the Law: The Ryde Scandal of 1953 While celebrated by many, McGill’s playful humour often clashed with the stricter sensibilities of the mid-20th century. By the 1950s, over 300 of his designs had been “disapproved” by seaside councils, with censorship committees in resorts such as Blackpool and the Isle of Man vetting cards before they could reach

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Halloween @ the Museum of Ryde

COME and SEE our friendly ghost LILLY DEACON on 30th and 31st OCTOBER and help her resolve her UNFINISHED BUSINESS! Learn about the HAUNTED HISTORY of Ryde – FANCY DRESS WELCOME! £5 Adults and free entry for children this half term week – ticket lasts for 14 days. We are open from 10.30am to 4pm last entry at 3.15pm. Also lots of other spooky bits and crafts for children to enjoy and adults of course.

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Nice trip for a Saturday…

The Arcade is a lot quieter today after last Saturday’s Steam Punk Festival but our unique Museum is open with a whole lot of local history, the saucy postcards of Donald McGill and a trip down Memory Lane – Closing at 4pm today – last entry 3.15pm. £5 adults and £1 children ( age 8-16) under 8’s free and a free return within 14 days. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30pm. Looking forward to seeing you!

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