Exhibit Programming

Aaron Burr (1756-1836), who was Vice President at the time, killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

March 10: "Alexander Hamilton: Inventing Modern America" keynote lecture by Willard Sterne Randall, with an opportunity to view the exhibit after the lecture. George Washington, our first President and commander-in-chief, ordered his former aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton, to create the entire American system and he gave him only 120 days. What the first Secretary of the Treasury came up with still keeps us going 227 years later. Alumni Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Free. Reserve your seat by sending an e-mail to hamiltonexhibit@champlain.edu or calling 865-5400.

INVITATION ONLY: March 13 & 15: Exhibit showings for area teachers, who learn how to relate lesson plans to the exhibit. Contact Darlene Worth in Educational Services Agency/CVEDC, worth@champlain.edu

March 16: “Alexander Hamilton and the Economy” lecture by Champlain College economics professor Jay Morris. Hauke Family Campus Center. 7:30 p.m. Free.

March 23: "Alexander Hamilton, Humanitarian." Willard Sterne Randall discusses Hamilton the humanitarian and welcomes panelists Matt Messier and Linda Li. The only one of the Founding Fathers who wasn't wealthy, Hamilton never forgot the needy, the refugee and the disenfranchised, even when it got him in trouble. A panel of humane young Vermonters will show you how you can help. Alumni Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Free.

March 30: "Alexander Hamilton, Legal Pioneer" lecture by Bruce N. Morton, Dean of the Touro Law School. A Revolutionary War hero who wanted to practice law in the new nation, Hamilton couldn't find a law book, so he wrote one. He wrote the book on commerce, civil rights and free speech, too, as young America's foremost legal scholar. Alumni Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Free.

April 6: "Alexander Hamilton: Godfather of Vermont." Willard Sterne Randall discusses Hamilton’s role in Vermont’s history and welcomes panelists J. Kevin Graffagnino of the Vermont Historical Society, Greg Sanford of the Vermont State Archives, Nick Muller of the Ethan Allen Homestead, and Michael Sherman, author of Freedom & Unity -- A History of Vermont. Colonel Alexander Hamilton averted invasion of the Republic of Vermont by the United States when he talked sense to a rebellious Ethan Allen. Result: the Green Mountains entered the Union peacefully, but only over its Founding Father's dead body. Leading Vermont historians debate what it was really like here in a state of nature. Alumni Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Free.

April 8: Family Day at the Alexander Hamilton exhibit. Family Day at the Alexander Hamilton exhibit includes fun, family activities to bring post-Revolutionary American history to life! This free event offers arts and crafts with the college’s Children’s Club, 18th-century reenactments by the Ethan Allen Homestead's History Alive! actors, the option for children to act out stories and try period dances, and snacks, of course! Miller Information Commons at 11 a.m. Free.

CAMPUS ONLY: April 11: Demonstration of historic letterpress printing by Champlain College graphic design professor David Lustgarten. Afternoon; exact time TBD. Free.

April 13: “Alexander Hamilton, Slavery and the Constitution," lecture by Willard Sterne Randall. As a young apprentice to a slave trader, Hamilton had to oil the bodies of recently arrived African-Americans to make them look better at auction. As a Founding Father, he fought for the Constitution's doctrine of implied powers. The Emancipation Proclamation and the three amendments that ended slavery were only part of Hamilton's lasting legacy. Alumni Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Free.

CAMPUS ONLY: April 19: In an open forum, members of the Champlain community discuss current events and what Alexander Hamilton’s take would be on the events of our time. Free.

April 27: “Hamilton the Futurist: Dreamer, Prophet or Planner” lecture by Champlain College Provost Russell Willis. Dr. Willis will explore the role of the futurist in the development of political ideals, public policy, and cultural evolution, using Alexander Hamilton as a prime example a "futurist." The role of emerging technology will be a particular focus of this exploration of America's past and how we ought to be envisioning Vermont's and America's future. Hauke Family Campus Center at 7:30 p.m. Free.