Trivia buffs may also remember Alexander Hamilton as the guy who died in a duel with Aaron Burr. Historians know him as the author of the “Federalist Papers,” the nation's first secretary of the treasury and the inspiration for much of modern economic policy.
Missoulians will soon know him as the historical figure with the busiest social calendar since Meriwether Lewis and William Clark dropped by for their expedition's bicentennial.
“There's so much more to this man's life than most people realize,” said Don Spritzer, a library volunteer who helped bring the Gilder Lehrman Institute exhibit to Missoula. “He was an illegitimate child and orphan from the West Indies, a writer and soldier, a close aide to George Washington, and a driving force behind the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. He was also very manipulative, with a huge ego - a politician in both the good and bad sense of that term. He may be the first prominent American to be embroiled in a sex scandal.”
Missoula's library was one of about 35 institutions that received the traveling exhibit, out of several hundred applicants. Spritzer said that success had much to do with the library's strong track record of building community involvement around its activities.
“We love hosting these things,” said Spritzer, who recently retired as the library's lead reference librarian. “It's a chance to involve not just adults, but kids, too. Thursday's opening reception will be a great way to unwind a bit from the holiday shopping rush.”
Schedule of events
Alexander Hamilton events run through February in Missoula. All programs are in the Missoula Public Library's large meeting room and are free of charge unless otherwise noted. They include:
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Opening reception at the Missoula Public Library - “An 18th-Century Christmas.” Enjoy early American holiday food and decorations, a Missoula Symphony Orchestra string quartet and a minuet performance by the Rocky Mountain Ballet.
Saturday, 2 p.m.: Colonial Yuletide with children's crafts, cookie decorating and other activities.
Dec. 31, 6 and 7 p.m.: “Alexander Hamilton: In Worlds Unknown,” a one-act play produced by the Missoula Children's Theatre as part of First Night Missoula, MCT Center for the Performing Arts, 200 Adams St.
Jan. 5, 2 p.m.: Saturday matinee movie starring Mel Gibson as a patriot during the Revolutionary War.
Jan. 8, 7 p.m., and Jan. 10, 10 a.m.: Discussion of the book “Revolutionary Characters” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Gordon S. Wood.
Jan. 12, 2 p.m.: Screening of PBS documentary “American Experience: Alexander Hamilton.”
Jan. 19, 2 p.m.: Saturday matinee of the movie version of the Broadway musical “1776.”
Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.: Music from the age of Hamilton, presented by University of Montana organist Nancy Cooper and friends, University of Montana, Music Recital Hall, $6 general admission, $4 for students.
Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m.: “Alexander Hamilton and the West” lecture by University of Washington-Tacoma professor Michael Allen, UM, Urey Lecture Hall.
Feb. 5, 7 p.m.: “The Economic Vision of Alexander Hamilton” lecture by UM economics professor Michael Kupilik.
Feb. 7, 7 p.m.: “A Visit with Alexander Hamilton” in-character presentation by Wayne State College professor Don Hickey.
Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.: “A Baroque Feast: Music from the Era of America's Founding Fathers” concert by the String Orchestra of the Rockies, UM, Music Recital Hall, $20 general admission, $10 students.
Feb. 12, 7 p.m.: “Four Presidents Look at Alexander Hamilton” program by Fort Missoula director Robert Brown, UM professor Harry Fritz, Loyola Sacred-Heart High School teacher Matt Stergios and UM professor Kyle Volk.
Feb. 14, 7 p.m.: “Alexander Hamilton: An Alternate View” lecture by Montana State University professor Billy Smith.
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