Annual Meeting and Lecture: How to Start a Revolution

The Putnam History Museum is excited to invite you to join our Annual Meeting and enjoy a taste of history. On Saturday, April 11th, 2026, Matthew Weigman, historical interpreter at Washington’s Headquarters, NYS Historic Site in Newburgh, will deliver a lecture at the Putnam History Museum titled “How To Start a Revolution” about the genesis of and events leading up to the American Revolutionary War.

This slide lecture developed by the staff at Washington’s Headquarters will explore the political, economic and social forces that transformed colonial protest from open rebellion towards independence.Washington’s Headquarters is one of 35 historic sites of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is one of 28 facilities administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in New York and New Jersey.

The Annual Meeting with begin at 2:00 PM and will be immediately followed by this fantastic historical presentation at 2:30 PM. Admission is free!

Matthew Weigman Biography

A Putnam County resident since 1993, Matthew Weigman has had an interest in American history since the age of sixteen. His 32-year-career in communications at the auction house Sotheby’s concluded with nine years as Worldwide Director of Sales Communications, based in London.

As a historical interpreter at Washington’s Headquarters Newburgh for the past four years Matthew has enjoyed illuminating visitors and audiences about the significant achievements of the “indispensable man” of the American Revolution during its final sixteen months, as well as lecturing about the era of the Revolution itself.

To satisfy an interest in horticulture Matthew volunteers as a Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County; acts as Honorary President of the Philipstown Garden Club; and writes regularly for the Garden Club of America magazine Bulletin.