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: Individual tickets at the $500 level and up 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 Fill out my LGL Form!