Editorial Review
As America's first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton stands alone in the annals of American financial history. One of the founding era's key political figures, Hamilton's influence on our fledgling country's early finances set the wheels in motion for the United States to become the economic super-power it is today laying the foundations for the U.S. capitalist system. This exhibition traces Hamilton's life from his birth into poverty in the Caribbean through his rise to military and political greatness in America, becoming America's premier economic thinker. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he saved the new nation's credit, established plans for funding our new country's debt, created a national bank, and used the tax system to encourage economic development – all ideas considered "radical" by most Americans of the time. Hamilton also founded the Bank of New York, New York City's first bank that was located at 48 Wall Street until 1998.
The Museum's Alexander Hamilton Room was designed in the federalist style in 1927 to pay tribute to the Walton House, where the Bank of New York first conducted business in 1784. The room originally served as the bank president's office.
In this gallery, visitors will see documents signed by Alexander Hamilton, examples of his published works, and items such as medals and currency designed in his honor.
