Gilder Lehrman Institute and American Experience
Celebrate Alexander Hamilton

On May 2nd, at Trinity Church in New York City, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and American Experience co-sponsored a sneak preview of the American Experience film Alexander Hamilton, which will debut on PBS on May 14th. In addition to segments from the film, the event featured a video detailing how the streets and buildings of 18th century New York City were digitally recreated in the film. Finally, historians Carol Berkin, Ron Chernow, and Joanne Freeman participated in a panel discussion about Hamilton and answered questions from some of the nearly 600 guests in attendance.

“Americans of the 21st century may admire Hamilton more than any generation since the founders themselves,” said James G. Basker, President of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “So much about him is attractive to us. He was an immigrant from the Caribbean, a disadvantaged orphan who became a war hero, a self-made man who rose to become a framer of the Constitution and architect of the American financial system.”

In support of the film, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History created an online exhibition titled Alexander Hamilton and the Creation of the United States. To view the exhibition, which includes annotated documents from the Gilder Lehrman Collection and other archives, visit:
www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/online

For more information on the film, visit www.pbs.org/americanexperience

About American Experience:

As television's longest-running, most-watched history series, American Experience brings to life the incredible characters and epic stories that helped form this nation. Now in its nineteenth season on PBS, the series has produced over 220 programs and garnered every major broadcast award.

James G. Basker, President of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History speaks with Carol Berkin, Professor of History at the Graduate Center, CUNY.

Students from Frederick Douglass Academy, a Gilder Lehrman history high school in Manhattan, speak with Joanne Freeman, Professor of History at Yale University and Ron Chernow, winner of the George Washington Book Prize for his book, Alexander Hamilton.

Mark Samels, Executive Producer of American Experience, makes introductory remarks.

(L-R) Screenwriter Ronald Blumer, Ron Chernow, Joanne Freeman, and Carol Berkin talk about Hamilton’s life and legacy.