Friday, August 1: "A Soldier's Life" Featured at Final Hamilton Event

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will host a final reenactment event on the site of the traveling Alexander Hamilton Exhibit located in the library's Adult Services Dept. On Friday, August 1 from 1-4:30 p.m., the library will feature A Soldier's Life, a presentation featuring historical reenactment and artifact displays. Entertainment will be provided through a special performance by Colonel Webb's 3rd Connecticut Band of Musick, a 5-8 piece Revolutionary War wind band in full uniform.

At the event, the library will hold a door prize drawing for several Alexander Hamilton exhibit kits, which include the written biography, "Alexander Hamilton, American" by Richard Brookhiser, and the documentary DVD, "Alexander Hamilton, The Man Who Made Modern America." A limited number of these educational kits are available to local educators while quantities last. Contact Anne Callaghan at 262.636.9193 or anne.callaghan@racinelibrary.info if interested.

"Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America," is a traveling exhibit that tells the story of Hamilton's astonishing rise in five short years from an orphaned, 15-year-old West Indies immigrant to George Washington's war time aide, and later, Washington's Secretary of the Treasury.

The exhibit was organized by the New-York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the American Library Association, and has been made possible in part through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is based on the New-York Historical Society's exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hamilton's death as well as the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Society in 1804. The exhibit will be at the Racine Public Library until August 8, 2008.

Hamilton Exhibit Features Historical Reenactments & Displays

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St. will host several late 18th century displays on the site of their traveling Alexander Hamilton Exhibit. On Saturday, July 26 from 1:30-4:30, visitors to the exhibit will have the chance to meet Dr. Ben Franklin and will view exhibits of 18th century historical fashions, medical instruments, toys and music.

In the Adult Services Dept., Dave Jahntz, a surgeon from Geneva, IL will be on hand to discuss his collection of 18th century medical implements and the methods used by surgeon of that era. Visitors to the exhibit will also see a live demonstration of changes in fashion for both men and women during Hamilton's life, and Terry Kutz from New Berlin will present his portrayal of Dr. Ben Franklin.

In the Youth Dept., children and families may view an exhibit of 18th century toys and will share in music and songs from the era.

"Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America," is a traveling exhibit that tells the story of Hamilton's astonishing rise in five short years from an orphaned, 15-year-old West Indies immigrant to George Washington's war time aide, and later, Washington's Secretary
of the Treasury.

The exhibit was organized by the New-York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the American Library Association, and has been made possible in part through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is based on the New-York Historical Society's exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hamilton's death as well as the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Society in 1804. The exhibit will be at the Racine Public Library until August 8, 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.

Library Hosts "Alexander Hamilton: the Man Who Made Modern America"

His face is on the ten-dollar bill, but most Americans know more about his death in a duel than his remarkable life as one of the most brilliant and influential figures in U.S. history. Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804), the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury at age 32, is the focus of a groundbreaking new traveling exhibition opening at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., on July 9, 2008.

"Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America" tells the story of Hamilton's astonishing rise in five short years from an orphaned, 15-year-old West Indies immigrant to George Washington's war time aide, and later, at age 32, Washington's Secretary of the Treasury.

The exhibit was organized by the New-York Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the American Library Association, and has been made possible in part through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is based on the New-York Historical Society's exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hamilton's death as well as the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Society in 1804.

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will host a grand opening public event on Wednesday, July 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Adult Services Dept. The featured presentation of the evening, "A 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 "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.

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.

The Alexander Hamilton Exhibit will be on display at the Racine Public Library from July 9- August 8, 2008. Throughout this time the library will host a number of exciting events for all ages:

• July 9; 7-8:30 p.m. Exhibit opening reception, presentation of "A Revolutionary Rivalry: Hamilton vs. Jefferson," and entertainment by Colonel Webb's 3rd Connecticut Band of Musick and Heritage Dauncers. July 12; 1-4 p.m. Young Hamilton and his Company of Artillery: A Revolutionary Reenactment Performance.
  
  
• July 26; 1:30-4:30 p.m. Historical (1790-1800's) Costume Display and Revolutionary War Medical display.
  
  
• August 1; 1-4:30 p.m. A Soldiers Life: A Revolutionary War Presentation; Performance by Colonel Webb's 3rd Connecticut Band of Musick and Heritage Dauncers.
  

The exhibit and all associated programs are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. For more information contact Anne Callaghan by email at anne.callaghan@ racinelibrary.info or by phone at 262.636.9245.