by Marlin Bressi

Created on: January 24, 2009

Any town that can trace its roots back to 1640 is bound to be a historical treasure trove. Greenwich, Connecticut is no exception. Originally settled by the Dutch in the 17th century, Greenwich is a town that witnessed significant growth in the 1700's, as it played an important role in the Revolutionary War.

On February 26th, 1779, General Israel Putnam made a daring escape from the British, finding refuge in a place called Knapp's Tavern. Today this building, which is now known as Putnam Cottage, is the most popular historic site in Greenwich. The original house was built by the Knapp family in the 1600's as a home for Timothy Knapp, his wife, and their son Isaac Knapp, who eventually used the structure as a tavern and a meeting hall for local Freemasons. As a tavern, guests included many Revolutionary War figures, most notably General Putnam and George Washington.

Greenwich also played a prominent role in American art. The Cos Cob art colony (named after the nearby harbor) was centered around the Bush-Holley House, a circa-1730 waterfront mansion which overlooks the harbor. In 1884, the mansion became a boardinghouse for writers and artists. Many notable American artists are associated with the Bush-Holley House, including Leonard Ochtman, Emil Carlsen, George Wharton Edwards, and Childe Hassam. Today, the Bush-Holley House is open to visitors, and is a must-see for lovers of American art.

It would be nearly impossible to visit every historic building in Greenwich. Greenwich boasts more than a dozen historic inns and hotels. Even the town's library is steeped in history. Built in the 1800's, Greenwich Library is surrounded by lush courtyards, built with money donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The library also features an art gallery and a music listening room.

Greenwich has also played a role in some of the darker moments in America's history. In the early 1900's, the Ku Klux Klan had a strong following in Greenwich, boasting 15,000 members from Connecticut alone. More famously, however, was the highly-publicized murder of 15-year old Martha Moxley in 1975. Michael Skakel, who was convicted of the murder in 2002, made headlines across the nation for being a relative of Robert Kennedy.

Whether you are an aficianado of art, American history, architecture, or political scandal, Greenwich is a town with something for everyone. Greenwich's close proximity to New York and Boston make it an excellent choice for a day trip with your family.

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