Thomas Paine Cottage, Historical residence in New Rochelle, New York.
Thomas Paine Cottage is a two-story wooden house in New Rochelle with a saltbox design featuring a distinctive sloped roofline typical of early American residential architecture. The structure contains several rooms spread across its two levels, reflecting the modest living standards of its era.
New York State granted this property to Paine in 1784 as recognition for his contributions to the American Revolution and the fight for independence. He occupied the cottage from 1802 to 1806, a period when he composed several of his written works.
The cottage served as a workspace for political thought during the early republic, with Paine composing arguments about reform and governance within its walls. Visitors today walk through the modest rooms where this influential writer spent his daily life.
Visitors can only see the cottage by joining a guided tour arranged by the local historical association. It is best to check ahead for tour times, as hours may vary depending on the season.
The building was moved westward by several hundred feet in 1908 to prevent its demolition and preserve it at its current location. This relocation was among the early efforts in America to save a historic house from destruction.
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