9/30/11: It's official! Alexander Hamilton's 18th-century Manhattan home, known as the Grange, is open to the public. And, Hamilton Friends played an important part in the opening weekend festivities which began Friday evening, September 16th, 2011 and concluded with a lecture series the following Sunday afternoon.
Attending Friday's VIP reception were Hamilton Friends Board President Bill Thomas and his wife, Lyn along with fellow Board members George and Carolyn Cox and Doug Hamilton. Janie Guill Chrystal, her husband William Chrystal (Hamilton Historian) and David Hamilton Rhinelander joined the festivities on Saturday. On Sunday, George Cox was joined with Hamilton Scholars Kyle Baldwin (HS '07) (Bryant College); Hannah Smythe (HS '09) (University of Pennsylvania); Pablo Storch (HS '10) (Yale University); and Caleb Bradford (HS'10) (Princeton University), to close out the weekend with a panel discussion that focused on how Hamilton is most relevant to modern 21st century America.
Saturday's official opening began with some fitting remarks by National Parks Service Superintendent Shirley McKinney who has been a dedicated supporter of The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association and an incredible mentor to all of our NPS Interns over the years. Ms. McKinney was followed by Congressman Charles Rangel; Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; Historian Joanne Freeman of Yale University; and our own AHFA Board member Doug Hamilton, representing the descendants of the Hamilton family. Following the ceremonies, and throughout the day, guests were treated to colonial music and displays of 18th century life and work. The latter included weavers, blacksmithing and - of special interest to the young and young at heart - a chocolate maker who dispensed samples of cinnamon-flavored hot chocolate! There were exhibits and presentations highlighting the African-American experience during the Revolutionary War Era by uniformed members of the historic 1st Rhode Island Regiment. Active military were represented as well by men of the Faithful and True 5th Field Artillery regiment of Fort Riley, Kansas. The 5th Field Artillery is the oldest American military unit on continuous active duty and was first led by Captain Alexander Hamilton in the American Revolution.
The weekend was a fitting tribute to a long-anticipated project that the National Park Service and others have been trying to complete for decades. Fortunately, their persistence has finally paid off and the Hamilton Grange now can be used to represent Hamilton and his legacy in a way that is not normally portrayed - Hamilton the man, who was not just a soldier and statesman, but who took pride in his family. In the main room of the home stands a small piano that Hamilton, his daughter and others played during Hamilton's brief time at the Grange. If one listens carefully, you can almost hear distant voices rising in song commingled with the piano music and the sounds of modern day New York.
Scholars Speak about Lessons from Hamilton's Life for Young People in the 21st Century
At the Grange Re-Opening four Hamilton Scholars were featured speakers along with AHFA Founder George Cox during Sunday afternoon's program. They were: Caleb Bradford (Princeton); Hannah Smythe (University of Pennsylvania); Kyle Baldwin (Bryant University); and Pablo Storch (Yale). The program's theme was: What does Hamilton Mean to Young People in the 21st century?
George commented, "We were the capstone event of the weekend's festivities and I think that was fitting. After all, Hamilton was always looking to the future, and our Scholars showed the audience just how relevant his life is to us today."
Kyle was an intern at the Grange during the restoration project over the summer of 2009. "It was an incredible experience," he said. At the re-opening Kyle proudly took the other scholars on a tour of the home and pointed out a number of special aspects of the construction he worked on during his summer there. Kyle's presentation reflected his learning experiences from that internship at the Grange and how treasured they have become to him.
Pablo related his and his family's journey from Argentina to America and how he is able to personally identify with Hamilton's journey from the West Indies to America over 200 years ago.
Hannah discussed her experiences as an intern at Hamilton Friends and how this organization has helped her develop her professional skills and career vision. This aspect of our program mirrors the transformative role apprenticeship played in Hamilton's
life.
"Caleb's story emphasized leadership and how Hamilton himself and The Alexander Hamilton Friends Association have played a pivotal role in helping him understand his own leadership abilities," said Board member Carolyn Cox.
Continued Carolyn, "Our Scholars wowed the audience. I think those attending the program came away with a new perspective on Hamilton's legacy and excited to know more about what the Hamilton Friends program does."
Said George, "Our Scholars were incredible. One educator in the audience, said this was the kind of program America needs! I certainly agree with him."
