July 6, 2004 – The Office of the Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday announced the following schedule of events for the territory's observance of Alexander Hamilton's formative years on St. Croix in the 18th century. All are free and open to the public.
Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards, whose office is sponsoring the observance, said in a release that he hopes "that the celebration of Alexander Hamilton's St. Croix connections will become an annual event" and that "the impact of his St. Croix experiences will elicit widespread attention."
Richards added: "All Americans should be made aware of the upbringing that shaped young Hamilton. I encourage the public to participate in the commemorative activities this week, as this is a golden opportunity to discuss the making of a great statesman."
Thursday:
11 a.m. — the start of ongoing walking tours of Hamilton-relevant sites beginning at Fort Christiansvaern; maps provided by the National Park Service.
5 p.m. — signing of books about Hamilton's life by authors Richard Brookhiser ("Alexander Hamilton, American"), Joanne Freeman ("Affairs of Honor" and "Hamilton: Writings"), Stephen Knott ("Alexander Hamilton and the Persistence of Myth") and Vincent K. Hubbard ("Swords, Ships and Sugar: A History of Nevis"); at Under Cover Books in Gallows Bay.
Friday:
8:30 a.m. – "Alexander Hamilton: The Formative Years," a daylong conference in the ballroom of Government House in Christiansted; presenters and their topics will be:
– William F. Cissel, National Park Service historian and chief of interpretation; "Alexander Hamilton: The West Indian Founding Father."
– Vincent K. Hubbard, former president of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society; "Hamilton's Childhood in Nevis: Its Lasting Impression."
– Arnold Highfield, president of the Society of V.I. Historians; "St. Croix in the Time of Alexander Hamilton."
– William Chrystal, minister of First Congregational Church and "first-person interpreter"; "Proximity to the Overseer's Whip: The Different Boyhoods of Hamilton, Adams and Jefferson."
– Richard Brookhiser, senior editor of The National Review; "Hamilton on St. Croix and Now – What He Learned from His Island Experience That Makes Him Relevant Today."
– Joanne Freeman, Yale University history professor and author; "Legacies of Youth" The Influence of Hamilton's Origins on His Later Life."
– Stephen Knott, University of Virginia associate professor/research fellow and author; "Alexander Hamilton in Myth and Memory."
9 a.m. – temporary Hamilton exhibition opens at Government House.
9 a.m. — continuation of ongoing walking tours of Hamilton-relevant sites beginning at Fort Christiansvaern; maps provided by the National Park Service.
11:45 a.m. – unveiling of a working model of an Alexander Hamilton sculpture by St. Croix artist Jan Mitchell; Government House ballroom.
Saturday:
10 a.m. – guided walking tour of Hamilton-relevant sites with William Cissel, National Park Service historian and chief of interpretation; beginning at Fort Christiansvaern.
10 a.m. – permanent Hamilton exhibition opens in Fort Christiansvaern.
6 p.m. – "Hamilton Jump-Up" block party in downtown Christiansted.
Sunday:
8 a.m. – worship service, St. John's Anglican Church, Christiansted.
3 p.m. – guided walking tour of Hamilton-relevant sites with William Cissel, National Park Service historian and chief of interpretation; beginning at Fort Christiansvaern.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
