Sunday, January 13, 2013

Hamilton Grange National Memorial



Where is it? 141st St between Convent and St. Nicholas Aves, Manhattan

How do I get there? A, B, C or D train to 145th St

When can I go? Visitor's Center is open Wed-Sun 9am-5pm, but the tour of the upper level is only available at five times: 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 4pm. Self-guided access to the 2nd floor is offered 12-1 and 3-4pm.

How much do I have to shell out to get in? As part of the National Park Service, the Memorial is free


The run-down: Hamilton Grange is the only house built and owned by Alexander Hamilton, the most under-appreciated and over-looked Founding Father. He lived there from 1802-04. I'm sure he would have lived there longer if he hadn't been shot and killed by that bad piece Aaron Burr. But I digress... The first floor contains the permanent exhibit detailing Hamilton's life. The second floor contains the furnished rooms and an exhibit on the what it took to move the Grange. A small shop has colonial-themed items and books on Hamilton. Whatever you do, don't by the American Heritage chocolate. I'm still trying to get rid of the after-taste.


What was cool about the Memorial: I'm a Hamiltonian (and also a Jeffersonian, if that's even possible), so I really enjoyed how in-depth the permanent exhibit about Hamilton's life was. The Park Rangers were also well informed and available throughout the house to answer questions.




What I could have done without: Having been moved several times, and not historically preserved, a majority of the house is not original. In 2008, after moving to its current location, it was renovated and restored based on Hamilton's original blueprints. None of the furniture is original, but are from the colonial period. It also drove me crazy that the large picture in the upstairs hall was crooked, but I'm OCD...

Need more info? Here's their website: http://www.nps.gov/hagr/index.htm


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