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. The house is being transformed into an edcuational museum space. Both buildings are in need of multiple repairs.

In 2009 the Historical Society raised private funds to replace the cellar stairs and to paint two exterior sides of the Putnam House. In 2010 the Society used private funds to repair the chimney.

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 Society maintains the property entirely by donations.

History of the Putnam House
NR Historical Society Home
NR Historical Commission

VLM 2001. Updated: BJJ March 2010