Putnam Cottage

Putnam Cottage was also known as Knapp Tavern during the American Revolution.[2] It is located at 243 East Putnam Avenue (United States Route 1), on the former route of the Boston Post Road, in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Knapp Tavern
Location243 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, Connecticut
Coordinates41°2′13″N 73°37′10″W
Built1779
Part ofPutnam Hill Historic District (ID79002657)
NRHP reference No.77001389 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPSeptember 15, 1977
Designated CPAugust 24, 1979

History

Putnam Cottage / Knapp Tavern was built by the Knapp family. The house was expanded by 1750 to become a tavern, serving travelers and also troops during the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, General George Washington stopped there with his troops for lunch, as evidenced by his expense report on file with the Smithsonian Institution. The name of Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam became associated with the house as it was the scene of his daring and historic ride down a steep slope, now known as Put's Hill, with the redcoats in hot pursuit.[3][4] This historic scene is depicted on the seal of the Town of Greenwich, and the name of Putnam is found throughout the State of Connecticut.

In the early 20th century, the house was purchased by the Israel Putnam House Association, Inc. Since 1910, the property has been the Historic Preservation Project of the Putnam Hill Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The house had been modernized in the 19th century with features such as plaster ceilings, Victorian trim and a front porch. The DAR raised funds to restore its 17th century appearance to coincide with the United States Bicentennial in 1976.

Putnam Cottage is currently maintained as a Revolutionary-era tavern museum open to the public, as well as a location for historical reenactments.

Pictures
  • Front entrance
  • Fish-scale siding
  • Colonial garden
  • Outhouse replica on the grounds

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Putnam Cottage website retrieved on 2009-05-23
  3. Hubbard, Robert Ernest. Major General Israel Putnam: Hero of the American Revolution, pp. 164-70, McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, North Carolina, 2017. ISBN 978-1-4766-6453-8.
  4. Livingston, William Farrand. Israel Putnam: Pioneer, Ranger, and Major-General, 1718-1790, pp. 389-93, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York and London, 1901.
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