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caption:
Work Remains
These photos of the completed exterior work on the Cady-Copp Cottage are courtesy Bill and Terri Pearsall. The Aspinock Historical Society will be looking for volunteer to paint.
Exterior work done
on Cady-Copp Cottage;
more work on horizon
PUTNAM — The Aspinock Historical Society (AHS) went to work immediately after receiving a community grant for historic preservation from the Daughters of the American Revolution and completed the exterior work.
Bill Pearsall, former AHS president and town historian, oversees the restoration project and said that contractor Luke Walker completed the work in a month’s time. Siding, windows and doors are done.
Pearsall notes that exterior painting is still needed, and will seek volunteers to help with that soon. Additional musts include a driveway in to the historic home from Liberty Highway. This is a big-ticket item. The interior restoration work is still to come as well and must meet all historical guidelines. Pearsall estimates $35,000 to $50,000 is still needed.
Members of Deborah Avery Putnam Chapter DAR in Plainfield were instrumental in helping the late Dr. Louise Cutler Pempek submit the grant.
The Cady-Copp home, with many unique features, was donated to the Aspinock Historical Society many years ago, but with no funds for upkeep. This has been a challenge for the small, volunteer-only and member-/donor-based organization. But AHS has a vision of what Cady-Copp will become – a living museum and a walk through different eras as you pass from room to room. Potential for local students and community members to visit will be priceless, and it will be another attraction for visitors to the area.
Cady-Copp is important because Manasseh Cutler was tutored in the Cady-Copp Cottage and went west to influence U.S. history. He helped build the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, and was instrumental in creating the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 allowing no slavery in the territory. While there, he also founded Ohio University. His son Ephraim Cutler also played a major role in early U.S. history. Details can be found in David McCullough’s popular book, The Pioneers. Remaining Cutlers can be found in Putnam.
Donations of any amount are welcome to help complete this project and AHS will also accept donations of materials that may be of use to this project as well. Questions can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Donations can be mailed to AHS, PO Box 465, Putnam, CT 06260.
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