Putnam Cottage facts for kids
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Knapp Tavern
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Putnam Cottage "Knapp's Tavern"
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 243 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1690 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Georgian |
| Part of | Putnam Hill Historic District (ID79002657) |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001389 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 15, 1977 |
| Designated CP | August 24, 1979 |
Putnam Cottage is a historic building in Greenwich, Connecticut. It was also known as Knapp Tavern during the American Revolution. You can find it at 243 East Putnam Avenue, which was once part of the old Boston Post Road. Today, it is a museum that teaches people about the American Revolution.
Contents
A Look at Early History
Records show that in 1680, a town meeting in Greenwich planned out new land. Captain Israel Knapp bought this land in 1692. Experts believe a house might have been built on the spot around the early 1700s.
By 1750, the home was made bigger by Timothy Knapp. He turned it into a small tavern, which is like an old inn or pub. It became a popular meeting spot for local Freemasons, a social group. From 1754 onwards, it was known as Knapp's Tavern.
During the American Revolutionary War, the tavern was very important. It served local people, travelers, and many American soldiers. In 1776, General George Washington and his troops even stopped there for lunch. His expense report, kept at the Smithsonian Institution, proves this visit.
Knapp's Tavern and the American Revolution
Knapp's Tavern is famous because of General Israel Putnam. He made a daring escape from the British near the tavern on February 26, 1779. This event happened during the Battle of Horse Neck.
The Battle of Horse Neck (1779)
On February 24, 1779, a group of British troops gathered. They were led by Major-General William Tryon. The British soldiers marched from King's Bridge, New York, towards Horse Neck in Connecticut. They arrived on the morning of February 26.
As the British entered the town, local people and soldiers tried to stop them. They tore up a bridge at Byram. A group of American soldiers, led by General Putnam, waited on Put's Hill near Knapp's Tavern. The American soldiers fought the British. But they soon left in an orderly way, leaving behind three cannons. The British made the cannons unusable and took a lot of supplies.
Some British soldiers went into Greenwich village. They destroyed saltworks, military supplies, and two small ships. Then they rejoined the main group. General Tryon thought more American soldiers would arrive soon. So, he ordered his troops to march back to King's Bridge.
General Putnam's Famous Ride
During the battle, British soldiers chased General Putnam. To escape, he had to ride his horse down a very steep hill called Put's Hill. This brave escape is so famous that it is shown on the official seal of the Town of Greenwich. General Putnam's name is also found in many places across Connecticut.
Later History of Putnam Cottage
In the 1800s, some changes were made to the cottage. The ceilings were made higher, windows were changed, and a porch was added. In 1906, a group called the Israel Putnam House Association bought the house.
Since 1910, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have taken care of the property. They raised money to make the cottage look like it did in the 17th century. This restoration was finished in time for the United States Bicentennial in 1976.
Today, Putnam Cottage is a museum. It shows what a tavern from the Revolutionary War era looked like. You can visit the cottage, its colonial garden, and a copy of its old outhouse. The museum also teaches about the town's history. Sometimes, they even have reenactments of Revolutionary War events!
Images for kids
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Front entrance
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Fish-scale siding
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Colonial garden
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Outhouse replica on the grounds
See also
