|
Located in Charlestown, the museum interprets the History and Culture of Nevis and the life of Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the United States
Treasury. The Museum is housed in a Caribbean Georgian building that was built on the foundation of the structure where Alexander Hamilton was born. The original house, built in 1680, was destroyed by
an earthquake in 1840. Hamilton, born on January 11, 1755, was the illegitimate son of Scotsman James Hamilton and Nevisian Rachael Fawcett Levine. Bright and enterprising, he was at
seventeen sent to the North American colonies for education at King's College (now Columbia University) in New York. The young man soon became involved in politics, and with the outbreak of the Revolution he
became a captain of artillery. In that capacity he attracted the attention of George Washington, whom he served as secretary and aide-de-camp. Hamilton was one of the original members of
the continental congress in Philadelphia, and he was chosen as the first Secretary of the United States Treasury. A brilliant economist, Hamilton was largely responsible for the federalist financial policies of
the new nation. His opposition to Aaron Burr during the Presidential contest of 1800 undoubtedly contributed to the election of Burr's rival, Thomas Jefferson; his renewed opposition to Burr in the 1804 campaign
for the governorship of New York undoubtedly contributed to Burr's issuance of a challenge to duel. Hamilton accepted: the two met at Weehawken Heights, NJ, on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River, and
Hamilton was fatally wounded. The Museum features artifacts left from the first indigenous people who came to Nevis from other nearby islands about 4,000 years ago These people were followed by
other groups of people who left a series of ceramic styles which are on display. The museum also hosts displays of artifacts from the political and cultural history of Nevis. One unique
feature for a museum of history that the Nevis History museum offers is a look at nature conservancy on the island of Nevis. Examples of soil conservation, wetlands conservation, and forest conservation can all be
viewed at the museum. For a truly complete perspective on Nevis today, you need to understand Nevis of yesterday. |
