Putnam Cottage

The Putnam Cottage is a red brick home located on Boston Post Road in Greenwich, Connecticut. The home has an interesting historical story. It was built in the 17th century and has changed shape and size over the years. The building features aspects that were unique to the period of history in which it was built, but it has changed over time to reflect various phases in architecture. The history of the house may be best known for its association with General Israel Putnam, but it was likely built for Timothy Knapp and his family. Putnam had a historic escape during the Revolutionary War. The home was purchased by a group of concerned citizens in 1901 and the deed was presented to the Israel Putnam Association a year later. The house became a public museum in 1906, exactly 100 years after Putnam's escape. The name was never officially declared the Putnam Cottage, but over time people just continued to call it that and it eventually stuck. Putnam's association with the house was just a brief part of the home's history, yet it became synonymous with the home. Changes in the home's design began in the 19th century when the ceilings were raised, a porch was added and the windows were changed. It remained basically the same throughout the 20th century.