"Hamilton," the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated musical, has inspired SoulCycle classes, Met Gala outfits, and craft beer.
So we're not in the least bit surprised that an exhibition exploring the Founding Father's connection to New York and his enduring impact on the U.S. government — with complementary group tours, movie screenings, talks, and family, school and summer camp programs — is coming to the New York Historical Society this summer.
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Highlights of the "Summer of Hamilton" exhibit, which opens July 4 — eight days before the anniversary of Hamilton's death at the hands of Aaron Burr — will include: life-size bronze statues of two men posed in the midst of their deadly pistol duel, works that were displayed in the lobby of The Public Theater when it hosted Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical; Hamilton's writing desk; and key documents from his life, such as his letter supporting Thomas Jefferson over Aaron Burr in the election of 1800, and the pamphlet in which he admitted his affair with Maria Reynolds.
Tapping into America's obsession with "Hamilton" and its hero, the exhibition will play video clips from the Broadway show and host pay-as-you-wish Friday nights featuring screenings of the musicals that inspired Miranda — "Evita," "1776," "Jesus Christ Superstar" — and guests who will speak to the statesman's legacy.
Middle schoolers can learn and write about Hamilton's life in week-long camps this summer, kids can meet historical reenactors portraying the man himself and other figures from his era on weekends in July and August, and parents can even book Hamilton-themed parties.
In the fall, the museum will invite New York City high school students and their teachers for interactive workshops based on the "Summer of Hamilton" exhibition.
The New York Historical Society last presented an exhibition about Hamilton in 2004.
