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 very old house 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 famous Boston Post Road.
Contents
A Historic Home and Tavern
This special building has a long history! Records show that in 1680, a town meeting decided to create home lots in the area. Captain Israel Knapp bought the land where the cottage stands in 1692. Experts believe parts of the house might even be older than that, possibly built in the early 1700s.
Around 1750, Timothy Knapp, who owned the house then, made it bigger. He turned it into a small tavern, a place where people could gather, eat, and drink. It became a popular spot for local groups, including the Freemasons. From 1754 onwards, it was known as Knapp's Tavern.
A Stop for Travelers and Soldiers
Knapp's Tavern was a busy place! It served people from the town, travelers passing by, and even soldiers. During the American Revolutionary War, many Continental troops stopped there. In 1776, General George Washington, a very important leader, even had lunch there with his soldiers. We know this because his expense report, which is like a receipt, is kept at the Smithsonian Institution!
The American Revolution Connection
Knapp's Tavern is most famous for its connection to General Israel Putnam. He made a very brave escape from British soldiers near the tavern on February 26, 1779. This event happened during a fight called the Battle of Horse Neck.
The Battle of Horse Neck
On February 24, 1779, a group of British soldiers, led by Major-General William Tryon, started marching from King's Bridge in New York. They were heading towards Horse Neck, which is in Connecticut. They arrived there on the morning of February 26.
As the British soldiers entered the town, local people and American militia tried to stop them by taking apart a bridge. A group of American soldiers and more militia were waiting on Put's Hill, close to Knapp's Tavern. They were led by General Putnam. The American soldiers fought the British for a short time. But they soon had to retreat, leaving behind their cannons. The British made the cannons unusable and also captured a lot of supplies.
A part of the British army went into the village of Greenwich. They destroyed places that made salt, more military supplies, and some small boats. After that, they joined the rest of their group. General Tryon thought more American soldiers would arrive the next morning, so he ordered his troops to go back to King's Bridge.
General Putnam's Daring Escape
During this battle, British soldiers chased General Putnam. To get away, he had to ride his horse very quickly down a steep hill called Put's Hill. This amazing escape is so famous that it's shown on the official seal of the Town of Greenwich! You'll also find Putnam's name in many places across the State of Connecticut.
Putnam Cottage Today
Over the years, the house changed a bit. In the 1800s, ceilings were made higher, windows were changed, and a porch was added to the front.
In 1906, a group called the Israel Putnam House Association, Inc. bought the house. Since 1910, the Putnam Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been taking care of it. The DAR worked hard to raise money and restore the house to look like it did in the 17th century. This was done in time for the United States Bicentennial in 1976, which celebrated 200 years since America became a country.
Today, Putnam Cottage is a museum! It shows what a tavern from the Revolutionary War era was like. You can visit the cottage, see its colonial garden, and even a replica of an old outhouse. The museum also teaches visitors about the town's history and sometimes has reenactments of Revolutionary War events.
Pictures
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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
