Friends of Pulpit Rock Tower, Inc.

04/24/2026

09/27/2025

Thank you to everyone who came out today to visit the tower. We enjoyed talking with you and showing you the tower. We also very much appreciate the money thrown in the donation jar; it will help with our costs this year. Three cheers for the volunteers who helped out as well! We will likely not open the tower again this fall for public tours. Private tours can be arranged, please email or message us if interested.

09/27/2025

It is a beautiful day here on the Seacoast! We hope you can visit the tower today. Tour between 10AM and 2PM. Climb the stairs and ladders, maybe learn some history and take in the beautiful views.

05/13/2025

We've set our tour schedule for 2025. The Tower will be open on Saturday, September 27, 2025 (Fall Foliage Tour) and Saturday, November 8, 2025 (Veteran’s Day Tour). We will not be having a Memorial Day tour this year. Dates may change so please check back as the dates get closer. Tours can also be arranged by appointment.

11/09/2024

In honor of Veterans Day, we'll have a 16' model of the submarine USS Thresher available to view at Sunday's open house at Pulpit Rock Tower. While the Thresher was commissioned well after WWII, it was built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and is also an important figure in the area's military history. In 1963, the USS Thresher sunk while conducting testing exercises and the 129 men on board lost their lives. It will forever remain a tragic moment in naval history, but that sacrifice led to the creation of the Submarine Safety Program (SUBSAFE), a program dedicated to ensuring that the U.S. Navy reduces the risk of such a catastrophe.

11/09/2024

The weather looks great for touring Pulpit Rock Tower tomorrow! Come by between 10 AM and 2PM and climb the stairs, learn some history and enjoy beautiful views of the seacoast. We hope to see you!

10/08/2024

On Sunday, November 10, 2024, from 10 AM to 2PM the Friends of Pulpit Rock Tower, Inc., together with the State of NH Fish and Game Dept., will offer public tours of Pulpit Rock Tower. Pulpit Rock Tower (Rye) was built during WWII to assist in the defense of the New Hampshire seacoast, particularly the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. It is an eight-story cylindrical concrete tower- all levels will be open to the public for viewing at the open house, except the roof deck which must remain closed due to safety considerations. Visitors may climb the stairs, learn about the tower’s involvement in WWII and take in the amazing views from the observation windows. FOPRT and Fish and Game Dept. volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and explain further the history and significance of Pulpit Rock Tower. Pulpit Rock Tower is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was selected as one of the “Seven to Save”, a list of seven endangered historic properties worth saving by the NH Preservation Alliance.
Winding stairs and ladders must be climbed to reach the observation areas. Only those in good health and with good mobility should attempt to climb the tower. Minimum height is 42”; sorry, no children may be carried and no sandals may be worn. Entry is at each visitor's own risk. Tour hours are 10AM- 2PM on Saturday 11/10/2024. In the event of steady rain the event will be cancelled. Updates will be on this our page. Please park on Ocean Boulevard (Route 1A) and walk up Neptune Drive to the tower access path. Suggested tax-deductible donation is $10 per person or $20 per family; all proceeds benefit the tower.

05/20/2024

We are unable to offer tours this Memorial Day weekend. We hope to have a public tour later in the year. Private tours by advanced arrangement can be made throughout the year. A donation is expected. Please email us at [email protected] for more information or to arrange.

08/15/2023

Just a few tickets remain for Thursday's tours of the tower. Tours are free (donations gratefully accepted) but reservations are required. Information and reservations can be found at

Rye NH celebrates 400 years since first settlement in 1623. The town is scheduling many events to highlight Rye's rich history, its beautiful location along the seacoast, and its many committed citizens engaged in groups and committees.