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Located on the site of
Thomas Paine's farm, the Thomas Paine Cottage seen
here is one of the many artifacts available at the
Thomas Paine Cottage & Thomas Paine Museum sites.
Thomas Paine, famous Colonial author of such works
as "Common Sense" and "The Age of Reason"
is memorialized at the Museum.
The cottage, originally
located at the top of the hill on the south side of
what is now Paine Avenue. The 300 acre farm, which
included the house, farm and outbuildings was given
to Paine by the State of New York in recognition of
his services in the cause of independence in 1784.
It was here that he spent the last years of his life
watching his fame and influence dwindle. In 1908 a
small parcel of the original farm was purchased and
the cottage acquired and move to this site by the
Huguenot Association of New Rochelle and dedicated
as a museum and headquarters in 1910.
The historic complex includes
the Cottage (owned and operated by the New Rochelle
Historical Association), Thomas Paine Museum, (owned
and operated by the Thomas Paine National Historical
Association), 1830 one-room schoolhouse, Indian image
stone, Huguenot memorial bridge, Revolutionary War
memorial and a plaque commemorating Paine's death.
The museum holds artifacts from the Siwanoy Indians,
the Huguenots, New Rochelle's early history as well
as many items from Thomas Paine's literary work. Some
of the holdings of the museum that come from Thomas
Paine are some of his original writings and manuscripts,
many first editions as well as books, pamphlets and
art works of Thomas Paine.
The Cottage has frequent
and monthly historical "hands-on" activities,
with special emphasis on the Revolutionary War and
Colonial Days for children, scouts and school groups.
The small but interesting
complex is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays &
Sundays from 10am to 5pm and Fridays from 2 to 5pm
year round. Tours are available. If you are interested
in the history and thinking of patriotic colonists
that was swirling through society leading up to the
break with Great Britain, Thomas Paine is probably
the most important author and political writer of
the time and this museum is an excellent location
to discover him. The scale is small, intimate almost,
and very accessible. The volunteers and staff are
knowledgeable about their subject and extremely open
to sharing with you what they know. Although it may
be a little inconvenient to schedule yourself into
the three hour times of operation, it is definitely
worth the effort.
The cottage is located
at 20 Secard Avenue, New Rochelle, NY, 914.633.1776.
The Thomas Paine Museum, immediately adjacent to the
cottage, is located at 983 North Avenue, New Rochelle,
NY, 914.632.5376. |
