It is recorded in the history of both Essex County, NY and Rutland County, VT that Allen Penfield
moved his family to western Crown Point, NY in 1828. The Homestead seems to have been built
then established as a “Public House” sometime before that year. The tavern and inn
were frequented by travelers heading west through New York State in the first quarter of the 19th century.
When the Penfield family moved in the Homestead served two purposes –
a family residence and office for Allen’s growing businesses – lumbering, milling and iron ore mining and processing. Before Penfield funded the construction of the 2nd Congregational Church and Parsonage in the 1840s, the family parlor was used as gathering place for church services.
The west door of the Homestead seems to have been used by travelers and
the working men of the Penfield businesses.
Lore tells us that Mrs. Penfield did not want the “rough men” using her front door!
As the Penfield family fortunes grew, so did the house. Sheds and a summer kitchen were added
to accommodate the seasons – wood for the fireplaces in winter, a kitchen with ventilation
and an icehouse for keeping foods fresh in the heat of summer. The children’s bedrooms
were slowly converted to servant’s quarters to care for the needs of the family.
With the death of Allen Penfield in 1872, the Homestead became the summer residence
for his son, James, wife Elizabeth and their daughter, Annie.
It was their base for Adirondack adventures, as well as a way of escaping Boston each year.
The little family would travel the United States from East to West Coasts.
Whether it was European Travel or Grand Army of Republic Reunions,
they always returned to the Homestead.
“Miss Annie” would use the Ironville residence until her death in 1954.
She used the house as a place to rest and rejuvenate from her Beacon Hill residence in Boston.
She hosted “Veterans Dinners” in honor of her father’s Civil War service and donated to
community civic organizations including the new home for the Penfield Grange.
The house was deeded to a cousin after Miss Annie’s death.
It was in private hands for a brief time until the organization of the Penfield Foundation in 1962.
Part of the house was used as the caretakers’ home and the beginnings of the museum during the early years. The Penfield Foundation became the Penfield Homestead Museum
and by the 21st century the homestead celebrated the Penfield family,
Crown Point and her people.