The Thomas Paine Historical Association is headquartered at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building, located at 983 North Avenue in New Rochelle, New York 10804. We welcome visitors to tour our museum every Saturday from 1 to 4pm. Entry is free with an optional donation supporting the work of the TPHA.
Upcoming Events:
Friday – Saturday, January 9-10th, 2026
WHAT: Common Sense at 250: Legacies of Democracy from Paine to Today
WHERE: Lewes, UK.
ABOUT: Lewes was where the Thomas Paine first became a political powerhouse. Join in person or virtually for a remarkable series of presentations by notable Paine historians as the discuss, “Common Sense at 250: Legacies of Democracy from Paine to Today“. For more about the schedule of events see the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies website.
Saturday, January 17th, 2026, 4:00 PM EST
WHAT: Tom Paine’s War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder for Our Time
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
WHERE: In-person at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building at 983 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY and via Zoom. Register today to join the event on Zoom!
ABOUT: Award-winning author and historian Jack Kelly on his new book, “Tom Paine’s War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder for Our Time“. Come join us for an exciting event delving into the life and impact of Thomas Paine during the Revolutionary War. Jack Kelly will give an in-person talk based on his book – an “exploration of our nation’s birth… a story of the power of words, and the power of belief, and how both speak as well to America’s current crisis.” Learn about this influential figure’s writings and how they helped shape the course of history.
In the book, Kelly examines the power of words—and the power of belief—and how both speak to America’s current crisis. Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Declaration of Independence marked the birth of the United States. But two essays of that era appealed even more directly to Americans’ feelings. In January 1776, Thomas Paine––a recent immigrant to America––published Common Sense. His straightforward argument upended the fraud of monarchy and dismantled the idea of aristocratic privilege that had dominated the world for centuries. His words convinced Americans that the king had no divine right to rule them––they could rule themselves. He turned a rebellion over taxes and representation into a true revolution.
Having inspired patriots to declare their independence, Paine volunteered as a militia private. He saw George Washington’s army suffer grievous defeats, and he slogged through the mud with retreating troops to Pennsylvania. There, he wrote The American Crisis, the most stirring rallying cry in our history. It began: “These are the times that try men’s souls”. With Paine’s words ringing in their ears, Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River and defeated the enemy at Trenton. The battle reversed the fortunes of the campaign and of the revolution itself.
Thomas Paine Historical Association President Gary Berton called the book “compelling, informative and superbly written… a celebration of our roots, especially when they are threatened today… Paine is the Founder that held democracy up for all to see”. “Tom Paine’s War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder for Our Time” will be released January 6th and is available for pre-order here.
Saturday, January, 24th at 2:00PM EST
WHAT: Thomas Paine on the Conflicting Philosophies of Government in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
WHERE: Bordentown Historical Society, 302 Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown, NJ 08505
ABOUT: Join Gary Berton, TPHA President and an editor of the new “Collected Writings of Thomas Paine” from Princeton University Press as he discusses the topic, “Thomas Paine on the Conflicting Philosophies of Government in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution“.
Thursday, January 29th at 7:00PM EST
WHAT: The Times that Tried Men’s Souls: Thomas Paine’s Service During the Revolutionary War
WHERE: This event will be on Zoom. Register here.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ABOUT: Join us for the yearly celebration of the official birthdate of Thomas Paine. Jack Kelly, author of the book “Tom Paine’s War” will be the keynote speaker. Congressman Jamie Raskin and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz will deliver opening words. This event is organized by the Freethought Society and co-sponsored by the Thomas Paine Memorial Association (TPMA), Black Nonbelievers, Thomas Paine Historical Association, Freethought Society, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Thomas Paine Society, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, American Atheists, Secular Coalition for America, American Humanist Association, and Center for Inquiry/Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason.
Saturday, January 31st at 4:00PM EST
WHAT: Finishing the Revolution: Thomas Paine, Universal Suffrage, and the Problem of Bicameralism (1776–1795)
WHERE: In-person at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building at 983 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY and via Zoom. Register today to join the event on Zoom!
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ABOUT: Dr. Daniel Gomes de Carvalho, Professor of Modern History at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil returns with another fascinating aspect of Paine’s political philosophies as he discusses,”Finishing the Revolution: Thomas Paine, Universal Suffrage, and the Problem of Bicameralism (1776–1795)“.
Saturday, February 21st at 4:00PM EST
WHAT: Thomas Paine and Rights of Man
WHERE: In-person at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building at 983 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY and via Zoom. Register today to join the event on Zoom!
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ABOUT: Thomas Paine Historical Association Board Member Dr. Frances Chiu, Associate Teaching Professor at the New School and author of “The Routledge Guidebook to Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man” offers an in-depth discussion of this all-important work in her discussion titled “Thomas Paine and Rights of Man“.
Saturday, March 8th at 2:00PM EST
WHAT: Thomas Paine in France
WHERE: In-person at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building at 983 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY and via Zoom. Register today to join the event on Zoom!
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ABOUT: Gary Berton, TPHA president, and Joy Masoff, doctoral candidate and TPHA Board Member, will speak about Paine’s 15-year long stay in France and his experiences during the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon in a discussion titled “Thomas Paine in France“.
CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE EVENTS TO COME!