DOUG MCCORMICK
As much as I’ve travelled over the years to history-related locations, I have to confess there are still a number that I haven’t been to. Here are some examples: The Pacific Northwest, in particular to visit the reconstructed Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery wintered from December 1805 to March 1806; the reconstructed Fort William Henry in New York, significant in the French and Indian War (see the movie “Last of the Mohicans” for background); and to New York City. Yes, I have admitted it—I’ve never been to the Big Apple. I can’t say exactly why we haven’t gone yet—my wife hasn’t been there either. I can say my appetite for going has increased because my wife recently gifted me a book to read: “Hamilton”, by Ron Chernow.
Of all the founders Alexander Hamilton is the one I know least about. That is not to say I don’t know anything about him. If you read at all about the American Revolution and then the Constitutional Convention you can’t help but know at least something about Hamilton. Later he was the first Secretary of the Treasury, and was significant in setting up our banking system. His battles with Thomas Jefferson irritated George Washington. And, of course, how he died from his duel with Aaron Burr. So, I will be learning quite a bit more about him. (I have visited the Yorktown Battlefield in Virginia, and I do remember he was significant in that battle.)
A statue of Alexander Hamilton stands in front of the Treasury Department in Washington.
Chernow’s book has been out since 2004 and is the inspiration for the Broadway musical of the same name. We are seriously thinking about going to the musical when it comes to Denver. It will be interesting to see after I’ve read the book. Some I’ve talked to after they’ve seen the musical have told me it is very good, but I have to wonder a bit if they say that is all they’ve ever seen or read about him. How do they know if the portrayal is accurate?
If we do go to New York, we’ll try to figure out which of the many sights to see. In addition to some of the well-known famous locations, I would also try to visit the Hamilton Grange National Memorial. The Grange was the home he built in uptown Manhattan. I’d also like to visit Fraunces Tavern. According to their website, Fraunces Tavern is “… where, on December 4, 1783, George Washington gathered a group of his officers, nine days after the last of the British troops left American soil, to thank them for their service and bid them an emotional farewell before returning home.” Another opportunity may be Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, N.Y.
I confess I looked ahead a bit in the Chernow book. Hamilton’s wife was born Elizabeth Schuyler, the daughter of a wealthy landowner and Revolutionary War general named Phillip Schuyler. Known as Eliza, she survived over 50 years after Hamilton died and never remarried. She was impressive, guarded Hamilton’s legacy and, among other efforts after Hamilton died, helped found New York’s first private orphanage.
Doug McCormick is retired from the Air Force after spending 21 years as a space operator. He spent 14 years as a defense contractor supporting Air Force Space Command. He is now a tour guide and has started his own business, American History Tours, LLC, specializing in taking people to see locations associated with significant American history. His email address is doug@historytoursamerica.com.
