Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
Alexander Hamilton died 216 years ago today from a gunshot wound received during the infamous duel with Aaron Burr. Hamilton, one of the USA’s founding fathers, also helped to establish Paterson, New Jersey. As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton believed America would prosper by developing industry rather than agriculture.
To this end, he found S.U.M., the Society of Useful Manufactures, laying out a plan for Paterson to harness the power of the Great Falls. S.U.M. purchased 700 acres around the falls and named the new city after New Jersey’s governor, William Paterson, who supported Hamilton’s vision. The City of Paterson became the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
Paterson Posts
- Paterson Great Falls
- Native American Heritage at the falls
- Overlook Park
- Waterfall Wednesday
- Raceways
- Alexander Hamilton
- Mary Ellen Kramer Park (Coming Soon)
- Waterfall Wednesday Rainbow (Coming Soon)
Location: 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ
Designation: National Historical Park
Date designated or established: 11/7/2011
Date of my visit: 1/26/2020
Great video and, as usual, learned some interesting history.
Thanks Don😊
I read the book on which the play “Hamilton” was based, but if I knew this about him, I had forgotten it. He was an exceptional person. When one bemoans the state of politics today, one need only study the nasty goings on after the revolution when there were sharp policy divisions among the founding fathers as well as the usual assortment of unscrupulous people. But we survived then and will survive now.
Yes, but hard to see when you are in the thick of it. The Paterson connection isn’t mentioned in the play (saw it on Disney+) and I don’t recall it being mentioned in the historical fiction novel about Eliza that I read. When history speaks about his role as Treasurer, focus is generally on the federal reserve bank and stabilizing the currency. It’s a good thing this site was given over to the NPS for historical interpretation.
New information for me. Enjoyed the scan video and learned there is a amphitheater at the site (rows of seats?).
https://nationalparkswitht.com/2019/01/09/paterson-great-falls-overlook-park/
The amphitheater is part of Overlook Park, a fairly recent addition by the NPS. In non-covid times, the amphitheater is used for performances, ranger talks and ceremonies like the swearing in of new citizens.
A fantastic memory for new citizens when we emerge from this situation.
I didn’t know about Hamilton’s role in SUM. Thanks.
It took a few ranger talks for me to absorb that knowledge and understand that’s why the statue is next to one of the SUM buildings gazing at the Falls 😀