In the early 1970's the town purchased the Putnam House property,
which abuts the Damon Tavern property. It contained a house and barn which had long since been vacated. Town officials felt that it might provide land for future expansion of the library and additional library parking.
The Putnam House was of great interest to the Historical Society. It was built in 1720 for the first minister of the North Parish. Having a resident minister enabled the townspeople to establish a separate church from Reading, sparing them a difficult journey by horse and carriage to Reading each Sunday for church services. It is one of the oldest structures in town.
The town and the North Reading Historical Society entered into a lease agreement, giving the Society permission to occupy and restore the house and barn, and to use the property for its charitable and educational activities. The Putnam House has been transformed from an abandoned, partially burned structure, inhabited by several raccoon families, into a carefully restored (although not completed) early 18th Century family dwelling (electricity, heat, and plumbing were discreetly added). Numerous old farm implements, a wagon, and sleighs are stored in the Putnam House barn. Volunteers are cleaning and reorganizing the space to create an exhibit area within the barn. Both buildings are in urgent need of a new roof (of original style cedar shingles) along with other expensive repairs. The second floor of the house also needs paint, wallpaper, and appropriate furnishings.
The Putnam House is maintained as a museum by members of the Society. Children from the town's elementary schools come on a regular basis for visits. Volunteer tour guides, dressed in period costume, explain how daily chores were accomplished in the 1700's, and often cook popular dishes of the day over the kitchen fire. (The entire chimney and all the fireplaces were rebuilt with donations and funds raised by the members of the Society).
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//vlmills3@earthlink.net
Updated: VLM-02/04/2001-20:00 & BJJ July 2008