Century House (publisher)

Century House was an American publisher located in Watkins Glen, New York. It was established in 1942 and specialized in publications on American culture and history.^[1] The company published several academic reference works on American music and art.^[2][3] The company also published numerous books on American antiques and other Americana collectibles.^[4] The publishing company was established by husband and wife Larry Freeman (1904–1995) and Ruth Freeman (1907–2000), both of whom had careers in academics.^[5] Dr. Graydon Laverne “Larry” Freeman, Ph.D. was a psychologist who taught on the faculties of Northwestern University and Cornell University.^[6][7] The publisher was still listed as active as late as 1992 in R.R. Bowker's Publishers, Distributors & Wholesalers of the United States.^[8]

The Freemans also used their Century House company as the managing organization for a museum, Old Irelandville in Watkins Glen.^[5] In the 1930s the couple purchased a historic farm house built by Charles Potter. They then purchased more historic buildings, some of them from other locations, which were then moved to their property to create a historic village.^[9] These included a tavern dating to 1797 and a manor house dating to 1833.^[5] The museum opened shortly after the end of World War II in the late 1940s^[9] and was still in operation as late as 1972.^[5] Lack of funds caused the museum to cease operation.^[9]