NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - New Rochelle Historical Association Director John R. Wright oversees and provides tours to visitors to the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum at 20 Sicard Avenue in New Rochelle on a daily basis.
"It's a small very beautiful gem," Wright said. The historical site is just one of many along New York State's Revolutionary War Heritage Trail throughout the state, including more than 70 historical sites,house museums and battlefields."
The scenic and park-like 320 acre property is favored so much in the community that it is the site of the Girl Scouts bridging or growth and progression ceremony.
New York State has long celebrated Paine's contributions to independence after the Revolutionary War.
"The people enjoy have a historical site that used to belong to one of the country's founding fathers," Wright said of the piece of history which displays details of Paine's life on the first floor, andinformation on the Huguenot's settlement into the area on the second.
After obtaining ownership in 1784, Paine was not fond of living in the cottage, opting to instead live in Manhattan, while renting out the property to a tenant. However, the author of the literarywork "Common Sense, The Right Man, and Age of Reason", did reside there for the last three years of his life - from 1806-1809.
While the museum may be struggling with visitor numbers, the museum still sees an estimated 2,000 visitors a year, including school groups.
"You can always use more visitors," Wright said.
How Do You Feel about have a historical landmark close by?
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