In November, 1934, a fire damaged and destroyed much of Rocknoll, the Putnam house in Rye.
The Times described the damage:
Every room in the house, which was designed by Mr. Putnam, with the exception of one or two in the wings, was wrecked by smoke or flames. The cause of the fire was not known.
Mr. Putnam’s study and the room of his son, David Binney Putnam, suffered most. In Mr. Putnam’s paneled study was a valuable collection of more than 100 autographed photographs, including those of Peary, Amundson and Lindbergh. Also destroyed in this room was a collection of books on Arctic subjects.
An old desk, presented to George Palmer Putnam, grandfather of the owner of the house, by Washington Irving, was badly damaged. The desk was used by Irving for much of his writing.
In the room of the younger Putnam, were many souvenirs of the youth’s voyage to the Far North and a model of Miss Earhart’s ocean plane. Those were damaged.
In the main living room were a group of oil paintings by Rockwell Kent, which were destroyed with other paintings.
Miss Earhart’s large collection of air trophies and medals were saved because Mr. Putnam took them to New York last week.
The house was insured and Mr. Putnam indicated he believed the loss was fully covered.
At least the two painted rooms were undamaged or readily restored after the 1934 fire, since they are mentioned, and the undersea one photographed, in a Better Homes & Gardens article three years later.
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