Flat Hamilton

On January 11, 2022, in celebration of Alexander Hamilton's birthday, the rangers at Hamilton Grange National Memorial sent an illustration of Alexander Hamilton on a journey through the sites of his life that played a role in Hamilton's life, and the development of the nation. Here, you can follow Flat Hamilton on his journey to these sites, as well as print out your own Flat Hamilton to send to Hamilton Grange NM for a photo opportunity.

Flat Hamilton makes his debut on January 11, 2022, 266 years after the real Alexander Hamilton was born.

NPS Photo

January 11, 2022

Alexander Hamilton, born ca. 1755, accomplished many tasks in his nearly 50 years of life. He became one of the most influential figures in American history.

For his 266th birthday, the staff at Hamilton Grange National Memorial are sending Hamilton on a journey throughout the significant sites of his life. Check back every Tuesday to see where Hamilton has travelled!

Alexander Hamilton visited Boston in his lifetime, on his way to New York City, where he became a permanent resident.

NPS Photo/ E. Parnell

January 18, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton is visiting Boston!

In 1772, Alexander Hamilton arrived in America through the port of Boston. Here, Hamilton is pictured in front of Long Wharf. Though it is unknown if Hamilton disembarked onto Long Wharf, he almost certainly would have seen it--it existed during his passage, and extended a half mile into the bay.

Although Hamilton did not stay in Boston for a long time, the events of the 1770's, like the Boston Massacre and Tea Party, certainly made an impression on him. Special thanks to the rangers at Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park for showing Hamilton around the bay of Massachusetts!

Next week, we will be following Hamilton to a place where he found a voice, and a cause, in his impassioned early days in the colonies. Where will we be going?

Alexander Hamilton visits the site of where Kings College used to be.

NPS Photo

January 25, 2022

In 1772, a young Alexander Hamilton sought an education in the New York City area.

After attending a preparatory school in New Jersey, Hamilton enrolled in King's College in 1774. He was a gifted student who excelled in his studies. It was during this time that he gained his patriotic fervor. In 1774 and 1775, Hamilton wrote the essays "A Full Vindication of the Measures of Congress" and "A Farmer Refuted", clearly sealing Hamilton's allegiance to the common people of the American Colonies, rather than the British government. After the Revolutionary War, Hamilton would help rename his alma mater Columbia College.

This street corner in Lower Manhattan may not evoke the ivy league prestige of such a well-known university. That is because the college has been moved since Hamilton’s time. In that time, King’s College was located nearby today’s City Hall Park.


Where will Flat Hamilton go next week? Here's a guess: this difficult winter served as an inflection point in the American Revolution. Grab your coats!

#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton

Flat Hamilton visits a site at Valley Forge.

NPS Photo/Valley Forge NHP, 2021

February 1st, 2022

This week, Flat Hamilton is visiting the Isaac Pott House at Valley Forge National Historical Park!

In January 1778, Alexander Hamilton arrived at Valley Forge as aide-de-camp to General George Washington. He served at Washington’s Headquarters, also known as the Isaac Pott House. This is also where Hamilton and his good friend and Colonel John Laurens translated General Fredrick Von Steuben’s French infantry training manual to English for the Continental Army.

Next week, Flat Hamilton will be visiting a relative’s house located near an important battlefield in the American Revolutionary War. In fact, the battle caused the French to support the colonies in the war!

Discover Alexander Hamilton at Valley Forge: Alexander Hamilton - Valley Forge National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Flat Hamilton is visiting the country residence of his in-laws.

NPS Photo

February 8, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton is visiting Schuyler House at @Saratoga National Historical Park!
At the time of the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, this was the country home of Alexander Hamilton’s future father-in-law, General Philip Schuyler! The British burned the original building and its outbuildings during their retreat at the Battle. The Continental Army’s victory at Saratoga, however, secured French support of the colonies in the war! The current home was constructed shortly after British General John Burgoyne’s surrender. It was the center of Schuyler’s farming and milling operations.

Next week Flat Hamilton will visit a place where the Continental Army and French forces defeated a powerful British General! Take a guess and leave it in the comments below!
#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton #FindYourPark
Discover Saratoga National Historical Park:
Image: Flat Hamilton at Schuyler House, 2021, NPS Photo.

February 15, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton is visiting the Redoubt #10 reconstruction at Colonial National Historical Park!

In 1781, Alexander Hamilton led a nighttime assault on a British redoubt at the Siege of Yorktown. Prior to the siege, George Washington had dismissed Hamilton’s requests to lead soldiers into combat. Hamilton got his long-awaited opportunity, however, when Washington planned to storm two redoubts (number 9 and number 10) with French forces and the Continental Army at Yorktown. The assaults were a quick success, and the redoubts were captured. The Siege of Yorktown led to the surrender of General Cornwallis’ Army and marked the beginning of the end for the American Revolutionary War.

Next week Flat Hamilton will be visiting a historic building that was constructed as a state house, but it became a place of national significance.

#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton #FindYourPark

Image: Flat Hamilton

Learn more about Colonial National Historical Park.

Flat Hamilton visited Independence Hall on 02/22/2022!

NPS Photo/Independence Hall National Historical Park

February 22, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton is visiting Independence National Historical Park!

Independence Hall is the birthplace of the United States. In 1776, this building housed the Second Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence. Eleven years later, in the same room, delegates to the Constitutional Convention created and signed the United States Constitution!

While not considered an important author of the Constitution, Hamilton was present at the convention in Philadelphia. To promote its ratification, he wrote the bulk of a series of anonymous essays with James Madison and John Jay known as the Federalist Papers. Today, these essays are cited in court cases and by those who interpret the Constitution.
Next week Flat Hamilton will be visiting a historic building that was used as a Customs House among other functions.

#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton #FindYourPark


Explore Independence National Historical Park

Flat Hamilton visited Federal Hall National Monument on March 1, 2022.

NPS Photo

March 1, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton is at Federal Hall National Memorial!

26 Wall Street was the site of New York City's 18th-century City Hall. George Washington was inaugurated here as the country's first president on April 30, 1789. He appointed Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury a few months later on September 11, 1789. In addition to Washington’s oath of office, this site was home to the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. When the capital moved to Philadelphia in 1790, the building again housed city government until 1812.

Next week Flat Hamilton will visit institution that Congress granted a 20-year charter to in 1791.

#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton #FindYourPark

Image: Flat Hamilton at Federal Hall, 2021, NPS Photo.

Discover Federal Hall National Memorial: Federal Hall National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Hamilton Visits the First Bank

NPS Photo/ Independence National Historical Park

March 8, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton is visiting the First Bank of the United States!

After the American Revolutionary War, the young nation faced overwhelming debt and an uncertain commercial future. In response, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton proposed many economic policies including the establishment of a national bank. In 1791, the bank was given a 20-year charter by Congress. The institution gave the federal government authority to lend money, hold deposits, and mange uniform currency.

In sum, next week Flat Hamilton will be visiting a city connected with one of his major economic reports.

#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton #FindYourPark
Image: Flat Hamilton at the First Bank, 2021, NPS Photo.
Explore the First Bank of the United States: First Bank of the United States - Independence National Historical Park

Hamilton visited Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.

NPS Photo

March 15, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton is visiting the Patterson Great Falls National Historical Park!

Alexander Hamilton envisioned manufacturers playing a major role in the economy of the United States. At the request of Congress, Hamilton wrote the Report on Manufactures. In the report, he argued for the creation of subsidies and tariffs to promote industrial growth.
Hamilton also supported an organization called the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufacturing. In supporting this organization, Hamilton planned to stimulate the nation’s economic system through mass manufacturing. This idea led to the growth of a little town in Passaic New Jersey into a hub for production of much needed goods.

Next week Flat Hamilton will be returning to land previously owned by Jacob Schieffelin.
#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton #FindYourPark

Image: Flat Hamilton at Patterson Great Falls, 2021, NPS Photo.
Discover Patterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Flat Hamilton is at his home at The Grange

NPS  Photo

March 22, 2022

This week Flat Hamilton has returned to his country home, The Grange! After a long journey visiting some of his favorite places in the National Park Service, he will now leave the traveling up to you! Recap his trip and find a downable Flat Hamilton to take with you here: https://bit.ly/3vMeBp8. Take a photo with your Flat Hamilton and use the hashtag #FlatHamilton. See you on the road!

#NPSManhattanSites #FlatHamilton #FindYourPark

Make Your Own Flat Hamilton!

You may download and print out this image to make your own Flat Hamilton illustration! You can bring your Flat Hamilton on an adventure of your own, or send your Flat Hamilton to us for a photo opportunity at:

Hamilton Grange National Memorial
414 W 141st St
New York, NY
10031

Please include an email address to which we can send a photograph, and a return address if you wish for us to return your Flat Hamilton drawing.