Thursday, July 3, 2008

Hamilton Exhibit Opens with a Post-Revolutionary Rivalry & Reenactment

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St, is hosting a public grand opening of the traveling exhibit "Alexander Hamilton the Man Who Made Modern America" on Wednesday, July 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Adult Services Dept. The featured presentation of the evening, "A Post-Revolutionary Rivalry: Hamilton vs. Jefferson" by Professor John D. Buenker, will begin promptly at 7 p.m. followed by a reception and viewing of the exhibit. Entertainment will be provided by Colonel Webb's 3rd Connecticut Band of Musick and the Heritage Dauncers, performers in full dress from the Revolutionary War era. As two of our founding fathers, Hamilton and Jefferson were profoundly influential in our early American government, but were avidly opposed to each other's ideas. The "Post-Revolutionary Rivalry" presentation by Professor John D. Buenker will explore their conflicting views on many of the most important issues of that time. Whose ideas were the more sound; to what extent were they right or wrong; and who had the greatest impact? This provocative presentation will debate these questions and will perhaps challenge your views of this historical time period. Professor Buenker will be referring to a comparative document of Hamilton and Jefferson's quoted opinions. The document is available for advance consideration on the library's website at www.racinelibrary.info.

John D. Buenker is professor emeritus of history and ethnic studies at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, where he has regularly taught courses on urban and ethnic history, the United States from 1877-1929, and American foreign relations. He holds a BA from Loras College, and a MA and PhD from Georgetown University. He is the author of many essays, articles and books on local and national history and is the recipient of many historical society awards and fellowships.

HISTORICAL REENACTMENT AT THE LIBRARY
The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will host "Young Hamilton and his Company of Artillery" on Saturday, July 12 from 1-4 p.m. on the library grounds. This historical reenactment group tells the story of the New York Provincial Artillery company led by a young and ambitious Alexander Hamilton in New York during the summer of 1776. Through reenactments, demonstrations and educational presentations visitors will learn about Revolutionary War battles and historic figures, the Declaration of Independence, colonial era weaponry and clothing, and much more from the period in which our nation was born.

Hamilton's Artillery is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating citizens and non-citizens about the struggles for our nation's independence. They are a member of the Northwest Territory Alliance, www.NWTA.com.

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