Annual Gala 2026

Celebrate local history at the PHM’s Annual Gala, Novemebr 8th at the Highlands Country Club!

This year, we are thrilled to honor renowned historian and author Russell Shorto whose remarkable work in researching and sharing New York’s history brings the spirit of this award to life with singular impact.

He is the director of the New Amsterdam Project at The New York Historical Society and a senior scholar at the New Netherland Institute. He writes books of narrative history that have won numerous awards, and in 2018 he was inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame. As the New York Times Book Review said of Taking Manhattan, “Russell Shorto tells the story beautifully and makes a compelling case for its enduring importance.”

Mr. Shorto’s keynote remarks will include new findings about General Israel Putnam’s life and times. Bonus feature: Benefit Committee tickets will include a special pre-gala conversation with Mr. Shorto.

Cocktails and silent auction begin at 4:30 pm, Russell Shorto lecture to follow. Cocktail attire. Please RSVP by Friday, October 30th.

Thank you to the members of the Benefit Committee!

Benefit Committee Vice-Chairs
Frank E. Lucente
Priscilla Goldfarb
Preston Pittman
John Provet & Paula Andros
Timothy Wallach & Fleur Fairman
George Whipple III

Benefit Committee
Wendy & Bob Bickford
Seamus Carroll & Marie Wieck
T. Jefferson Cunningham III
Caroline Danford
Diana & Bryan Dunlap
May Brawley Hill
Anne & Frederick Osborn III
Bill Pugh
Linda Sweet