Those of us who try — and fail — every day to win the lottery for tickets to the Hamilton musical now have a new outlet for our obsession. The New-York Historical Society will mount an exhibition and museum-wide celebration of Hamilton starting on July 4th weekend, and host Hamilton Fridays throughout the summer, including free screening and other events.
Here’s some of what will be on exhibit.
Among the highlights that will be on view during the Summer of Hamilton are life-size bronze statues depicting Hamilton and Burr in the midst of their deadly duel, pistols drawn and aimed at one another. The statues, created by sculptor Kim Crowley, were previously on loan to The Public Theater and were displayed in its lobby during the off-Broadway run of Hamilton. Also featured will be the monumental tall case clock presented to Hamilton in 1796 by the Bank of New York, which will return to the New-York Historical Society after a years-long loan to the Bank. Hamilton’s desk, at which the prolific writer penned his correspondence, will be exhibited on loan from the Museum of the City of New York.Displayed with these items, an exhibition by the Gilder Lehrman Institute will present nine key documents from Hamilton’s life, including his famous “nut brown maid” love letter to his fiancée, Elizabeth Schuyler; the infamous pamphlet admitting to his affair with Maria Reynolds; the plan for the federal government that he proposed during the Constitutional Convention; the first federal budget printed in his Report on Public Credit; and a letter supporting Thomas Jefferson over Aaron Burr in the Election of 1800, which stated “In a choice of Evils let them take the least―Jefferson is in every view less dangerous than Burr.” Above these documents will hang New-York Historical’s portrait of the statesman by John Trumbull, painted shortly after Hamilton’s untimely death in 1804. Select video clips from the Broadway show will also be shown, enhancing the connection between Hamilton the musical and these historical items.
There will be Hamilton-related exhibitions stretching into 2017. At which point, you will be cured of your Hamilton addiction, and then some.
Why wait till July 4th when anyone can visit the HAMILTON GRANGE NATIONAL MEMORIAL and actually walk in the very rooms that Hamilton himself set foot in.
From the website (Google “Hamilton Grange): “Hamilton Grange National Memorial is in Saint Nicholas Park in Manhattan. It is located at 414 West 141st Street, between Convent Avenue and St. Nicholas Avenue.”
The Grange is now in St. Nicholas Park, which, according to the official website is actually on the very land that Hamilton once owned, today’s Hamilton Heights.
Took a “Jane’s Walk” tour of the Grange a couple of weeks ago. Jen, a Park Ranger, was an awesome tour guide. GO!