Thomas Paine was granted a farm in 1794 by the New York State Legislature amounting to 320 acres in New Rochelle, Westchester just six miles from New York City. He was awarded the land as reward for his service in the Revolutionary War after the land had been confiscated from a British loyalist. Ever since, New Rochelle has been a center for admirers of Paine and his legacy.
A map of the farm granted to Thomas Paine in 1794. The New York State Legislature awarded Paine 320 acres in New Rochelle for his service in the Revolutionary War after confiscating the land from a British loyalist. The map was created by New Rochelle native Walter Beach HumphreyA sketch of Paine’s New Rochelle gravesite before the monument was installed showing a hickory tree growing from the grave. The image was taken from a newspaper clipping from the June 19, 1902 edition of Louisiana’s Jennings Daily Record – Library of CongressThe Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument is a 12-foot marble column marking his burial site. In 1837, Gilbert Vale, editor of the New York newspaper The Beacon, started a subscription for the purpose of erecting the monument that was dedicated on May 30th, 1881. Sculptor William Macdonald created the bronze bust that was placed upon the monument on May 30th, 1899.An 1830s lithograph of the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument by H. R. Robinson – American Philosophical SocietyThe Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument from the 1892 Life of Thomas Paine biography by Peter Eckler – Library of CongressThis picture of the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument was printed in Gilbert Vale’s journal, The Beacon, an influential social and political publication in the mid-19th century. The Thomas Paine National Historical Association relaunched The Beacon in 2021 as our main publication 170 years after the last Vale edition – Thomas Paine National Historical AssociationAn engraving of the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument before it was moved to its current location and before the bust of Paine was placed – Westchester County Historical SocietyA photo of the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument from before the bust was added. The photo was published in the March 25, 1901 edition of the New-York Tribune but was clearly taken before the bust was added in 1899 – Library of CongressA sketch of the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument from the June 5, 1902 edition of the Globe Republican, a newspaper in Dodge City, Kansas – Library of CongressA photo taken by Robert L. Bracklow of the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument ca. 1901-1910. This photo shows the bronze bust of Paine modeled by sculptor James Wilson Alexander MacDonald. It was presented to the Thomas Paine Historical Association and was placed on the capstone of the monument early in 1899. – New York Historical SocietyA sign was erected in 2025 detailing the information inscribed on the 1839 Thomas Paine Monument in New Rochelle and was installed with collaboration of City historian Barbara Davis, New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, and the City of New Rochelle.A 1924 map from an article in Wyoming’s Thermopolis Independent newspaper showing the planned construction of the TPHA’s Thomas Paine Memorial Building and Paine Park and pond next door – Library of CongressThe Thomas Paine Memorial Building in 1925 – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumA sketch of the Thomas Paine Memorial Building by Robert Emmett Owen – American Philosophical SocietyThe Thomas Paine Memorial Building in a 1925 sketch by Robert Emmett Owen with permission from the Westchester County Historical SocietyThe Thomas Paine Memorial Building in winter of 2024The Thomas Paine Memorial Building in 2025An inside look at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building during a public event.The Thomas Paine historical marker in New RochelleA plaque on a stone wall near the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumThe Thomas Paine Cottage Museum sign – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumA photomechanical print postcard of the Thomas Paine Cottage created between 1900 and 1920 by The Valentine & Sons Publishing Co. – Library of CongressAn engraving of the Thomas Paine Cottage by Robert Emmett Owen – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumA 1937 oil painting by Henry Orne Ryder of the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, New York. The New York State Legislature awarded Paine 320 acres in New Rochelle in 1784 for his service in the Revolutionary War after confiscating the land from a British loyalist. Paine lived in this cottage off and on from 1802 to 1806 – US National Park Service – Boston Public LibraryThe Thomas Paine Cottage Museum in 2020 – Photo courtesy of the Thomas Paine Cottage MuseumA ‘Franklin Stove’ reproduction honoring the time that the stove’s inventor Benjamin Franklin presented an original to his longtime friend Thomas Paine. The reproduction is now at the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum – American Philosophical SocietyThe sign for Paine Avenue in New Rochelle passes Paine Lake, the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum and the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument.New Rochelle’s 2.7 acre Paine Lake, shown in winter 2025, is surrounded by the Thomas Paine Memorial Building, the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum and the Thomas Paine New Rochelle Monument. Paine Avenue passes along one side of the lake.The Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona University is less than half a mile from the the Thomas Paine Memorial Building along New Rochelle’s North Avenue. The Thomas Paine National Historical Association Collection, one of the world’s largest Paine archives, is housed at Iona University’s Ryan Library through the Institute of Thomas Paine Studies.A display at a 2025 event at the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona University.The TPNHA Board (now TPHA) from 1894, standing in front of the Paine Monument on North Avenue in New Rochelle, NY. On the right is Thaddeus Wakeman, a freethinker, professor, and noted philosopher, who took the lead in the creation of TPNHA. Also in the picture, in the rear wearing a hat, is Wilson MacDonald, the sculptor of the Paine bust on top of the Monument. Find more info about TPNHA History here.Due to the limitations of early cameras, this is the only known image of American orator Robert G. Ingersoll before an audience. He spoke in front of a sign saying in part “Thomas Paine Author Hero of the American Revolution”. The photo was taken on May 30th, 1894 at an event in New Rochelle – WikipediaA page from a 1909 pamphlet promoting the memorial celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the death of Thomas Paine at the Paine Monument – Thomas Paine Historical AssociationReverend Slicer speaks from a flag-festooned outdoor podium, facing a standing audience at ceremony marking the one-hundredth anniversary of the death of Thomas Paine at the Paine monument in New Rochelle on June 5th, 1909. President of the Thomas Paine Historical Association Thaddeus B. Wakeman presided. William van der Weyde, who would later serves as President of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association from 1920 to 1929, possibly took this photograph – American Philosophical SocietyPhoto by William van der Weyde, President of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association from 1920 to 1929, of American writer, publisher, artist, and philosopher Elbert Hubbard speaking at the Paine Centenary Celebration in New Rochelle, NY on June 5, 1909 – Photo by James B. ElliottA photo of the rededication of the Paine Monument and ‘Assignment of Its Custody’ to the City of New Rochelle on October 14th, 1905. New Rochelle Mayor Henry S. Clark (mayor from 1902 to 1907) accepted the Monument in behalf of the city – Photo by James B. ElliottIn 1925, Thomas Paine Historical Association Vice President and famous inventor Thomas Alva Edison displays ceremonial groundbreaking shovel to launch construction of the Thomas Paine Memorial Building.A January 12, 1987 letter was sent from President Ronald Reagan to the Thomas Paine National Historical Association on the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Paine.A 1992 photograph of Douglas Cooper at the Paine Cottage. Cooper was a distinguished New Rochelle lawyer who served for 10 years as the President of the Thomas Paine Historical Association – Westchester County Historical SocietyThe City of New Rochelle has made Paine Day a permanent annual commemoration held on June 8th, the day of Paine’s death in 1809.
The Thomas Paine Historical Association is proud to be headquartered at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building, constructed in 1925 and located at 983 North Avenue in New Rochelle, New York. The building acts as a museum and meeting space to honor Paine and his legacy. As a sneak peak at our offerings, you can take a look at some of our favorite exhibits at this link. The museum is open every Saturday from 1 to 4pm.
