Putnam History Museum

09/01/2026

What if one of the most infamous betrayals in American history wasn’t a one-man job?

Join us for a special Saturday evening author reception with New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki as she discusses The Traitor’s Wife—her historical novel exploring Peggy Shippen Arnold, Benedict Arnold and the role Peggy may have played in his notorious plot to betray America.

📚 Celebrating Local Voices: An Author Reception
Saturday, September 19 at 5:30 PM
Reed Memorial Library

Presented in partnership with the Putnam History Museum and made possible through a grant from the George Whipple Foundation.

Registration is required. carmellibrary.org/calendar

08/31/2026

On this day in 1778, Wappinger Sachem Daniel Nimham and the Stockbridge Indian Company were on a scouting expedition in modern Van Cortlandt Park. There, they were ambushed and outnumbered by two of the British army’s most notorious units: the Queen’s Rangers and Tarleton’s Dragoons.

During the ensuing Battle of Kingsbridge, Sachem Nimham “called out to his people to fly, that he himself was old and would die there.” Estimates suggest that the Stockbridge Company lost up to 40 of their 60 men, including Nimham and his son Abraham.

The lecture by Michael Keropian this Friday will discuss into the life of Sachem Nimham and his family, and their decision to join the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Register for the talk here: https://tinyurl.com/4fmkt9h9

Pictured: A sketch of a Stockbridge warrior by Hessian soldier Johann Ewald, 1778.

08/27/2026

Now Hiring! Two positions are open at the PHM: Collections Manager and Visitor Services Associate.

Read more about it here: https://tinyurl.com/ytuwy6ux

08/21/2026

In a private 1788 letter to James Madison, George Washington shared his concerns about the growing unrest in France and Louis XVI’s efforts to limit liberty. Washington warned that trying to suppress the push for freedom could “kindle a flame which may not be easily extinguished.” His prediction came true—just a few years later, Louis XVI was executed by guillotine.
As the French Revolution unfolded, Washington faced a difficult choice: how should the newly formed United States respond? In 1793, he issued the Neutrality Proclamation, declaring that the United States would remain neutral in the conflict. The decision put him at odds with Madison and played a key role in shaping American foreign policy towards Europe for the next century.

08/20/2026

Join us at the Putnam History Museum for this upcoming talk by Michael Keropian, diving into the research he conducting into Sachem Daniel Nimham.

Contacting descendants, locating Wappinger bags, researching muskets at West Point and reading numerous accounts of Nimham and the Wappinger, all culminated in the creation of the statue of Sachem Nimham.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4fmkt9h9

08/17/2026

This weekend, hit the waves and see Little Stony Point from the water! This kayak tour will explore the ways that the pen*sula has changed over the years, and so much more!

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2tzupsn7

08/04/2026

This weekend! Join PHM and Hudson River Expeditions for a beautiful kayak tour of some of the most historic points on the Hudson!

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2tzupsn7

08/04/2026

We are hiring a part-time collections manager! This key member of our team is charged with the care of the PHM’s artwork, artifacts, and archives.

Interested? Learn more here:

Careers Collections Manager The Putnam History Museum in Cold Spring, NY, is looking for a part-time collections manager to play a key role on their team. Reporting to the Director of Curation, the collections manager is charged with the care of the PHM’s artwork, artifacts, and archives. The coll...

07/26/2026

Writing with a quill pen isn't easy! We invite you to he Putnam County History Museum table at the Putnam County Fair today and give it a try.😊

07/23/2026

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or discovering The Putnam History Museum for the first time, we’d be delighted to welcome you to our community! You can join us at putnamhistorymuseum.org.