Putnam Cottage

Knapp Tavern
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
File:PutnamCottageKnappsTavernGreenwichCT08312008.jpg
Location	243 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, Connecticut
Coordinates
Built	1779
Part of	Putnam Hill Historic District (#79002657)
NRHP Reference #	77001389
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	September 15, 1977
Designated CP	August 24, 1979

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

History

Putnam's cottage was built by the Knapp family. The house was expanded by 1750 to become a tavern, serving travelers, and also eventually troops during the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, General George Washington stopped and fed his troops there 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. 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 of 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

• DoorwayPutnamCottageKnappsTavernGreenwichCT08312008.jpg

  Front entrance

• SidingPutnamCottageKnappsTavernGreenwichCT08312008.jpg

  Fish-scale siding

• ColonialGardenPutnamCottageKnappTavernGreenwichCT08312008.jpg

  Colonial garden

• OuthousePutnamCottageGreenwichCT08312008.jpg

  Outhouse replica on the grounds

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Greenwich, Connecticut

External links

• http://www.putnamhilldar.org/pb/wp_820fbc0c/wp_820fbc0c.html
• http://www.putnamhilldar.org/pb/wp_820fbc0c/wp_820fbc0c.html
• The True History of Putnam Cottage
• Putnam Cottage
• A traditional view of Putnam's Ride