Welcome to the Knapp House Archives
The
history of the Knapp House begins with the history of Rye itself.
In 1660, John Coe, Peter Disbrow and Thomas Studwell purchased land
on Manursing Island from the Siwanoy Indians, for 8 coats, 7 shirts
and 15 fathom of wampum. In 1663, the first group of settlers began
to move onto the mainland, including Thomas Studwell, who purchased
land near "the road to the beach", later called Rye Beach
Avenue. On this land, Studwell built a small house, which is now what
we know as The Timothy Knapp House.
In
1667, Thomas Studwell traded this property with Timothy Knapp of Stamford.
It is between 1667 and 1670 that the first portion of the current
ho
use
was built. The house at that time consisted of only 2 rooms, the keeping
room and the keeping room chamber or bedroom.
Timothy
Knapp was a well respected member of the Rye community. He was chosen
First Deputy to the Gene
ral
Court of Hartford (Rye was then a part of the English Colony of Connecticut)
and re-elected four times. In 1700 he made the first set of additions
to the house, on the right side of the current front door. The first
addition consisted of a parlor and a parlor bedroom.
In
1749 the house was sold to Ezekiel Halsted, a wealthy land owner,
who also owned slaves. He immediately added a dining room and kitchen
to the back of the hou
se.
This lean-to addition, gives the house its saltbox shape. The Halsteds
also added the fishscale or rounded butt shingles, which are found
only in this area of the northeast.
Although
Ezekiel Halsted died in 1756 (you can see his grave at Milton Cemetery
across the street), the family owned the 
house
until 1906. At that time the Ford family purchased the house. Simeon
Ford was the owner of the Grand Union Hotel in New York City. In the
1920's, the Fords added a studio to the house, as well as an aviary
and a greenhouse.
General Information
The Knapp House Archives are located at 265 Rye Beach Avenue, Rye, NY, 10580, across from the Milton Cemetery.
Mailing address: Knapp House, Rye Historical Society, 1 Purchase St., Rye, NY 10580
The Knapp House Archives contain over 15,000 items pertaining to local history including photographs, maps, censuses, books, pamphlets, manuscripts and more. Any member of the public is welcome to stop by. Our frequent visitors include students, historians, journalists and people conducting historic house or genealogical research.
The Knapp House Archives also hosts changing exhibits of historical interest and art shows by local artists. There are historical gardens to enjoy as well. The Kay Donahue Memorial Garden is a historic kitchen/herb garden with authentic plantings maintained by the Little Garden Club. During the summer months, local resident and teacher Doug Carey along with the Leaders of Tomorrow group create colonial and Native American gardens on the premises.
The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance notice of a visit is helpful but not mandatory. You may phone (914) 967-8657 to speak with our archivist Richard Hourahan.
Directions
Coming from the North: Route I-95 (New England
Thruway) to exit 19 (Playland Parkway). Go right at the second light,
onto Milton Road. The Knapp House will be on your left, across from
the cemetery and at the intersection of Milton Road and Rye Beach
Avenue.
Coming from the West: Route 287 to Exit
11 (Rye/Port Chester). Go right (south) on the Boston Post Rd. As
you approach the fourth light (CVS will be on your right), stay in
the left lane and take the left fork in the road. Stay right at the
traffic circle and you will be on Milton Road. Go through one light
(at Playland Parkway). The Knapp House will be on your left, across
from the cemetery and at the intersection of Milton Road and Rye Beach
Avenue.
Coming from the South: Route I-95 (New England
Thruway) to exit 19 (Playland Parkway). Go right at the second light,
onto Milton Road. The Knapp House will be on your left, across from
the cemetery and at the intersection of Milton Road and Rye Beach
Avenue.
Coming from the Square House: Stay on Purchase Street
for two lights past the Square House and go in the left lane. Take
the left fork of the road and stay right at the traffic circle. You
will be on Milton Road. Go through one light (Playland Parkway). The
Knapp House will be on your left, across from the cemetery and at
the intersection of Milton Road and Rye Beach Avenue.
By Train (North and South):
The train will take
you to the Square House. You will need separate transportation to
the Knapp House (see directions above). Take Metro North, New Haven
Railroad to Rye. Walk 1/4 mile south on Purchase Street. The Square
House is at the southern end of Purchase Street on the Village Green,
across from City Hall.
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