Takes place at Highlands Country Club
The Putnam History Museum Board cordially invites the community to its Annual Gala, A Celebration of the Pursuit of Knowledge and the Passion to Illuminate, Sept. 22, at Highlands Country Club in Garrison. This long-standing community event promises to be a lively evening of cocktails, dinner, silent auction and music. Following gala tradition and tying into this year’s theme, the Putnam History Museum Board will present the Historic Family Award to the Malcolm Gordon family and the General Israel Putnam Trail Blazer Award to the Honorable Loretta A. Preska.
The Historic Family of Philipstown Award, which honors longtime resident families who have made a contribution to the Philipstown community and beyond, will be given to the Malcolm Gordon family. In 1927, accomplished educator Malcolm Kenneth Gordon settled in Garrison and founded the Malcolm Gordon School. Malcolm and his grandson, David Jr., each served as headmaster of the elementary boarding school for boys until it closed in 1990. David will accept the award.
Previous recipients of the Historic Family Award include the Fish, Osborn, Hustis and Polhemus families.
The Israel Putnam Trailblazer Award is named for the major general in the American Revolution who also gave his name to Putnam County. This year’s recipient is Preska, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which includes Putnam County. When Chief Judge Preska began service on the federal bench 20 years ago, she was a pioneer as a woman in a predominantly male field. She continues to lead, presiding over seminal cases that affect daily lives.
Previous recipients include Russel Wright, Pat and Marion Dugan, artist Don Nice and environmentalist John Cronin.
Gala festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a cocktail reception, and include dinner (6 p.m.) featuring seasonal local offerings, a silent auction influenced by the best of the Hudson Valley and a musical interlude by Motherlode, plus Art Labriola and Sara Labriola.
The mission of the Putnam History Museum is to collect, preserve, interpret and present the history of Putnam County, Philipstown, the West Point Foundry, and the Hudson Highlands. RSVP by Sept. 10 by calling 845-265-4010. Gala tickets are $250 each, $2,500 per table. Visit 2013phmgala.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets and to see a full description. For gala or Putnam History Museum information, call 845-265-4010, visit putnamhistorymuseum.org, or email [email protected].
