General Putnam: Behind the County’s Revolutionary Namesake

Join us at the Putnam History Museum for a fascinating exhibition exploring the many depictions of General Israel Putnam, popularly known as “Old Put.” The prints and interesting artifacts come from the collection of George Whipple III, as part of Revolutionary Putnam County 250.

The Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam (1718-1790) spent years of the war stationed right here in the Hudson Highlands, and was regarded for his unique temperament, personality, and background. He was a wealthy farmer with the social and business connections of the upper class, and a career military commander, yet lacked the formal education or military training of most of his peers.

Putnam County, NY, became be the first of eight U. S. counties named after him when it split off from Duchess County in 1812. Join us on September 26, 2025, for the opening of this exhibition examining the ways that Gen. Putnam has been memorialized over the years.