Thomas Paine National Historical Association facts for kids
The Thomas Paine Historical Association is a group in New Rochelle, New York. It works to keep alive the memory of Thomas Paine. He was one of the important Founding Fathers of the United States. This association started on January 29, 1884, which was Paine's birthday. It is one of the oldest historical groups in the United States. Another group in New Rochelle, the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum, also helps preserve Paine's legacy. That museum owns and takes care of the Thomas Paine Cottage.
History of the Association
The first president of the Association was Dr. Moncure D. Conway. He was a writer and worked to end slavery. He was also a friend of Abraham Lincoln. Conway wrote the first full book about Thomas Paine in 1892.
On October 14, 1905, the Association held a special event. They rededicated the Thomas Paine Monument. A few years earlier, on Memorial Day in 1899, they had a big meeting. This was for putting up a bronze bust (a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders) of Paine. This bust now sits on a marble base.
In 1905, the monument was moved to its current spot. It is now in the middle of Paine Avenue. The rededication ceremony included speeches and a parade. The U.S. Army also fired thirteen guns. This was to honor the thirteen original states. In 1906, the Association was reorganized. It became known as the Thomas Paine National Historical Association.
Thomas Paine Memorial Building
The Paine Memorial Building is located in New Rochelle, New York. It is near the Paine Monument. Building this structure began on May 30, 1925. William van der Weyde was the president at that time. Even the famous inventor Thomas A. Edison helped start the construction. He turned the first shovel of earth for the museum.
This building used to be a museum. It showed items that belonged to Thomas Paine. It also displayed other things important to local history. Today, this collection is kept at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY.
In 1943, a new part was added to the building. This part was for the Hufeland Memorial Library. This library had thousands of items. These items were about the history of Westchester County. Otto Hufeland of Mount Vernon, New York collected them. This collection is currently on loan to the Westchester County Historical Society.
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