Built on the edge of what was once his 277-acre farm in New Rochelle, the Thomas Paine Memorial Museum is home to a collection of artifacts belonging to this American patriot, who was a participant in both the French and American Revolutions. The museum, maintained by the Huguenot-Thomas Paine Historical Association, is also home to the Thomas Paine Center for Citizenship to promote awareness and critical thought concerning public policy. Outside of the museum is a monument to Paine that was erected in 1839. The four sides of the monument are inscribed with quotes from Paine's writings.
At the New York Sailing School, you can learn to sail the Long Island Sound. In 1979, NYSS initiated nautical classes on the Sound rather than the nearby Hudson River due to the latter's strong currents and commercial traffic. Children ages 10 to 15 may take the beginner's course, while adults age 16 and up may take the master's course. NYSS has sailboats available for rental to qualified operators and offers other sailing programs, such as an overnight cruise adventure, as well.
Connected to New Rochelle by a drawbridge erected in the 1920s, the 105-acre Glen Island Park was originally created as a summer resort. It started out as five individual islands that were linked together with causeways and piers. The islands were subsequently joined with fill to create one large park with a crescent-shaped beach near Long Island Sound. Glen Island Park offers swimming, a catering hall and restaurant, along with picnic pavilions, open picnic areas and boat launching. Cannons, castles and sculptures still remain from the earlier resort to explore.
Open from sunrise to sunset, Five Islands Park is located on LeFevre Lane in New Rochelle. The park offers a children's play area, along with a picnic area with barbecue pits. There is a walking track for nature walks and fishing is allowed from the dock. An outdoor amphitheater houses special events. The park is surrounded by Big and Little Harrison Island, which are connected to Oakwood Island by a pedestrian bridge.
