WELCOME TO THOMAS PAINE COTTAGE

Situated on the last two acres of the original 320 awarded to Thomas Paine by New York State in 1784, stands Thomas Paine's second cottage (rebuilt after a fire claimed the first one in 1793), and the Sophia Brewster One-Room Schoolhouse. The Cottage contains a few of the artifacts still in existence that were once owned by Thomas Paine: a simple chair and a cast iron Franklin Stove given to Paine by Benjamin Franklin himself.

Several rooms, set up to reflect what life was like during the Revolutionary War and late 18th Century, use original artifacts and reproductions. Early 19th Century life is reflected in the upstairs bedchamber replete with rope trundle bed, nightstand and candle, spectacles and bible, washstand, and young girl's cross-stitch sampler dated 1804. There one can also view a sampling of wonderful 19th Century quilts.

Other exhibits highlight the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle, featuring the original 1689 deed to purchase the 6,100 acres that became the city; and a rare breech loading (small cannon) swivel-gun that was used to defend the Huguenot stronghold of La Rochelle, France during the 1628 siege.

Permanent and temporary displays feature artifacts and art reflecting local history during the Civil War, the Black Experience, Women in History, the formation of police and fire services, the People of the First Man the Siwanoy Indians and much more.