The AHA Society joins with the Lower Manhattan Historical Society for a flag-raising ceremony of the St. Kitts and Nevis flag, the flag of Alexander Hamilton's birthplace. Additionally, a proclamation from the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hamilton's birthplace, will be read in honor of the occasion.

NOTE: The location of the flag-raising ceremony has been moved to Ciprianis at 25 Broadway.

Gather for a brief wreath-laying ceremony and blessing at Alexander Hamilton's grave at Trinity Church in honor of his birthday. The US Coast Guard Color Guard from Sector New York will present the colors, sing the national anthem, and perform taps.

The wreath is sponsored by the Museum of American Finance, who has maintained this tradition for over 25 years.

Learn more about the new Museum of American Finance exhibit, "Alexander Hamilton: Indispensable Founder and Visionary" from its curators, John Herzog and Mariana Oller. AHA Society Vice-President Nicole Scholet will engage with the curators in a Q&A session to learn more about Mr. Herzog's collection of Hamilton artifacts and a deeper understanding of the historical significance of some of these objects.

The special exhibit commemorates this year's 225th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton becoming the first US Secretary of the Treasury, and includes many rare Hamilton-related artifacts.

About the Speakers

John Herzog, the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Museum of American Finance, has been an avid collector of historical financial artifacts, including Alexander Hamilton-related documents, for over fifty years.

Mariana Oller is Associate Curator of Special Collections at Wellesley College, and is also Chair of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society.

The Museum of American Finance will be serving cake to celebrate Alexander Hamilton's birthday. We will be briefly connecting via phone with Hamilton's birthplace location in the Caribbean.

This is also the perfect time to visit the exhibit "Alexander Hamilton: Indispensable Founder and Visionary," currently on display inside the Hamilton Room in the museum. The exhibit commemorates this year's 225th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton becoming the first US Secretary of the Treasury, and includes many rare objects associated with Alexander Hamilton and his financial programs.

Docents from the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society will be available at the Hamilton Room to answer questions about Hamilton's life and the exhibit during the times listed below.

Exhibit Open House with 'Ask a Docent' Hours

12:45-2 pm

3:30-4:30 pm

*Note: In honor of Hamilton's birthday, the MoAF is graciously giving free admission to all on Friday, January 9th

Pooja Nair, Esq. speaks on Hamilton's role in opposing the Trespass Acts and upholding the rule of law in New York City and the United States. As a newly-minted lawyer after the Revolutionary War, Hamilton stepped into a firestorm of controversy by defending a Tory merchant in his first high profile case. This case, Rutgers v. Waddington, took on the Trespass Act, which had been enacted at the end of the Revolution to strip Tories of their property. The results of the trial shaped the development of New York City and was foundational to the development of key principles of the American legal system.

The talk is one hour, followed by a Q&A session.

About the Speaker

Pooja Nair, a lawyer at the firm of Foley and Lardner, is also the California Chapter President of the AHA Society and the founder of www.itshamiltime.com. She has previously presented on cases from Hamilton's law career at Federal Hall National Memorial and Hamilton Grange National Memorial.

*Note: In honor of Hamilton's birthday, MoAF admission is free on Friday, January 9th

The AHA Society will lead a candlelight processional from the Museum of American Finance down Wall Street to Hamilton's grave at Trinity Church.

Meet in the foyer of the Museum of American Finance at 4:30 pm. From there, we will set out for the three-block walk to the Trinity churchyard, which will be specially opened (weather-permitting) for the group to illuminate Hamilton's grave with candles and song.

The National Park Service at Hamilton Grange National Memorial is hosting a full day of activities for Alexander Hamilton's birthday.

Come visit Hamilton's home to take a tour of its restored interior, explore the permanent exhibit on Hamilton's life, and watch the Hamilton Grange film.

Birthday activities include signing a birthday card to Alexander Hamilton with a quill and ink and several special presentations throughout the day.

See the official Hamilton Grange event flyer for details of tour times and more.

Presentation Schedule:

10:30-11:00 am: "Hamilton in Love"

11:30-12 pm: "Hamilton's Early Life in the Caribbean"

1-1:30 pm: "Hamilton in Love"

Note: Seating is limited for these presentations - ensure a space by calling Hamilton Grange at (646) 548-2310.

Presentation Descriptions:

"Hamilton's Early Life in the Caribbean"

National Park Rangers talk about Alexander Hamilton's childhood spent on the islands of Nevis and St. Croix.

"Hamilton in Love"

While Alexander Hamilton is deservedly renowned for his outstanding writings on government, finance, and political philosophy, his personal correspondence is less well known. In fact, some of his most beautiful and engaging letters relate to affairs of the heart. This event at Hamilton Grange consists of a reading of selected letters from Alexander Hamilton on the topic of love.

The reading begins with an early (failed) attempt to win the romantic affections of Catharine Livingston. In a humorous letter written in 1779, Hamilton sends his friend John Laurens a detailed list of his requirements in the choice of a wife and asks Laurens to find a woman who fits that description. Most of the readings are from letters addressed to Elizabeth (Betsey) Schuyler, whom Hamilton courted in 1780. He also writes letters to members of Betsey’s family to enlist their support in his amorous campaign. In the final letter in this selection, written a year and a half after Hamilton has won Betsey’s hand in marriage, he exults in the joys of married life and provides an engaging description of his infant son, Philip.

The letters will be introduced and read by Mariana and Thomas Oller. Ms. Oller is Chair of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society (the AHA Society). She is Associate Curator of Special Collections at Wellesley College. Dr. Oller is Vice Chair of the AHA Society and a Lecturer in Writing at Boston University.

Pooja Nair, Esq. will speak about the Manhattan Well murder trial, the first fully recorded murder trial in the United States. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton teamed up for this dramatic case in 1800 for the defense of Levi Weeks. Weeks was accused of the murder of a young woman whose body was found in the bottom of a well built by Aaron Burr's Manhattan Company. Come learn about this mysterious murder and the intense trial Burr and Hamilton worked together on four years before they met on the dueling grounds.

The talk is one hour, followed by a Q&A session.

The event is co-sponsored by the Morris-Jumel Mansion. The talk is free with a $5 museum admission. Call 212-923-8008 to reserve a seat, as it will likely sell out.

See all the great Hamilton events Morris-Jumel is hosting this month and next.

About the Speaker

Pooja Nair, a lawyer at the firm of Foley and Lardner, is also the California Chapter President of the AHA Society and the founder of www.itshamiltime.com. She has previously presented on cases from Hamilton's law career at Federal Hall National Memorial and Hamilton Grange National Memorial.

All who are interested in visiting the grave on Alexander Hamilton's actual birthday are welcome to join members of the AHA Society there as clergy from Trinity Church blesses Hamilton's grave following the 11:15 service.