For decades the Putnams of Keene significantly supported the arts, education, history and humanities, and the environment within the state of New Hampshire. The Putnams represented the finest of New Hampshire's residents, giving not only of their financial resources but of their time to enhance our communities and our youth. Their family business—Markem Corporation, which provides product identification solutions—is the gold standard in its industry, a model in civic and philanthropic leadership and a major contributor to the state's economic strength.

The Putnams were benefactors to the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, the MacDowell Colony, the Keene Symphony, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, the Nature Conservancy, the Raylynmor Opera, the New Hampshire Dance Institute, and Antioch New England. They also supported the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Keene State College, the New Hampshire Business Community for the Arts, Doctors Without Borders, and the Crotched Mountain Center.

David and Rosamund Putnam had six children: David Jr., Frederick, James, Louisa, Rosamond, and Thomas. James is a 1974 MBA graduate of the University’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics. He served overseas in the Peace Corps before joining the family business. He and his brother, Thomas, led the company for many years, and it now welcomes its fourth and fifth generations.

For years, David Putnam was an active partner in the Keene and greater Monadnock communities and their economic development, serving as a member of the city council and acting on boards of local interest, including the Cheshire County Savings Bank and Elliott Community Hospital. In 1993, David and Rosamund received a Governors’ Arts Award from Governor Stephen Merrill, and in 2003 David Putnam was named to the New Hampshire Business Review's “Business Excellence Hall of Fame.”

The family business, Markem Corporation, has received its share of awards as well, including the “Number One Best Large Company” in New Hampshire from Business New Hampshire magazine, and was twice considered a model Top 10 Company by the magazine. Markem was an environmental leader and an active member of the Keene community, making significant capital gifts.

“True altruists share certain characteristics that set them apart from others,” said former UNH President Ann Weaver Hart. “Generosity is contagious, and we see this first hand in our donors, whose gifts make a difference in countless ways.”