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Hamilton Grange➤

Hamilton Grange National Memorial preserves Alexander Hamilton’s mansion. Built in 1802 on his land in Harlem, it has moved twice. In 1889, St. Luke’s Church bought the house and moved it 500 feet next door. It served as a chapel beside the church for decades. In 2008, the National Park Service moved the house again. This time, they restored it to a natural setting in nearby St. Nicholas Park.

The Grange is the only home Alexander Hamilton ever owned. He began life as a penniless orphan in the Caribbean. He came to America as a shipping clerk and soon embraced the cause of revolution. Hamilton rose to become one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Hamilton served as George Washington’s aide for most of the Revolutionary War. He became a hero at the Battle of Yorktown. He played a key role in ratifying the Constitution. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he created the National Reserve, the U.S. Mint, and our national currency.

In semi-retirement, Hamilton bought land near the Hudson River in Harlem. At the time, it was countryside—quiet and rural. New York City lay nine miles away, a 90-minute trip by carriage.

Hamilton hired an architect to build a mansion on the property. When the builders were arrested on murder charges, he provided their legal defense. This helped them keep working on the Grange.

The Grange was finished in 1802. Hamilton lived there with his family for only two years before his fatal duel with Aaron Burr. After his death, political rivals tried to dismiss or claim his achievements. But his widow, Eliza, who lived 50 years longer, dedicated her life to preserving his legacy.

Visit the Grange➤

Now set within a public park, visitors can watch a short film about Alexander Hamilton’s life in the ground-floor theater. A small museum and gift shop occupy the space where the kitchen once was. You can tour the historic floor with a ranger or during open houses. From the dining room in the home’s original location, the Hamiltons could see the Hudson River.

Hamilton Grange Posts➤

• Hamilton Grange National Memorial
• Hamilton Grange: Eliza Tour

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Location: 414 W 141st St, New York, NY
Designation: National Memorial
Date designated/established: April 27, 1962
Date of my visit: August 23, 2014