Themes in American History

Museum is a place where we can find historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest stored and exhibited. After visiting museum I have a better understanding about the people who have worked hard and changed the shape of city. Different people such as Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Dewitt Clinton and so on are kept in the museum to show their importance and how they made the city modern.

As we have learned in the class that Alexander Hamilton was one of the main person who had contributed to change the shape of a city.
Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America’s first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. He has been described as one who “more than any other designed the Government of the United States”: As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton was the primary author of the economic policies of the George Washington Administration, especially the funding of the state debts by the Federal government, the establishment of a national bank, a system of tariffs, and friendly trade relations with Britain. Alexander Hamilton had superior power in the government. In 1794 he had a great part in which Jay Treaty ended a series of frontier and economic disputes with Great Britain. Hamilton had a great role in moderation; he held talk with New York loyalist. During his period New York commercial interests had achieved its chief goals. Hamilton contributed in securing the trading relationship with England, stable political and also financial system had been created. In my opinion Hamilton had played a great role in changing the shape of New York City.

George Washington (1732-1799) was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775–1783, and he presided over the writing of the Constitution in 1787. The unanimous choice to serve as the first President of the United States (1789–1797), Washington presided over the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that stayed neutral in the wars raging in Europe, suppressed rebellion and won acceptance among Americans of all types. His leadership style established many forms and rituals of government that have been used ever since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address.
DeWitt Clinton (1769 –1828) was an early American politician who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal.[1] Clinton was the leader of New York’s People’s Party, and was a major rival of Martin van Buren, who was attorney general of New York during Clinton’s governorship. According to Daniel Walker Howe (2007) Clinton is an authentic but largely forgotten hero of American democracy. Howe explains, “The infrastructure he worked to create would transform American life, enhancing economic opportunity, political participation, and intellectual awareness.”

These peoples with their hard work have contributed in changing the shape of the city. Their hard work cannot be forgotten and is part of the history. By going to the museum I learned about the importance of the above described people. Moreover, visiting the museum of the city of New York made me more curious to learn about these people.

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Fraunces Tavern is part of historic New York that is still operating in New York City.  The tavern is located on the corner of Pearl and Broad Streets in lower Manhattan.  The ground floor still operates as a restaurant and bar and the upper floors are a museum operated by the New York chapter of the Sons of the Revolution.

The Long Room is the most famous room in the Tavern.  This is where General George Washington gave a farewell address to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War.  During the American Revolution New York was captured and held by the British.

The Long Room

When the British retreated on November 25, 1783, Washington and his troops marched into New York City victorious.  Evacuation Day, as it is known, was celebrated in New York up until World War I, at which point America’s alliance with Great Britain undermined the celebration.

The complete list of who was in attendance to hear the General’s heartfelt goodbye is unknown.  Most of the information that we have regarding that day and Washington’s words comes from the journal of Benjamin Tallmadge, who was in attendance.  Tallmadge recorded in his journal, which is on display, the words of Washington at the request of his children.  Historians will never know for certain whether or not what Tallmadge recorded were Washington’s exact words but his description of the moving event helps to paint  a picture of what it must have felt like to stand in that room on December 4, 1783.  Tallmadge records Washington as saying,

With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. I shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand.

Tallmadge recalled that Washington was quite moved and emotional during his brief remarks.  Washington certainly felt a connection with the soldiers who had served with him through the long years of the war.

There are several other artifacts from the colonial period that are on display in the museum.  The museum does a good job of explaining how taverns were integral in the political and commercial activity of the city.  Taverns were a place where leaders met to discuss matters.  Samuel Fraunces, the proprietor of the Tavern, was a supporter of independence and allowed the Sons of Liberty to meet at his establishment.  The focus of the museum is very narrow with lots of information about the history of the Tavern and how it functioned in colonial society.  There is little about women or daily colonial life in New York.  There is also little mention of slavery in colonial New York.  The thrust of the focus of the museum is on the period prior to 1799, when New York began gradual abolition.  There is one example of a birth certificate that was issued to a freed slave, Cato Ramsey.  According to the text panel that accompanies this document, Fraunces Tavern was the location of trials that granted freedom to enslaved African Americans by British officials.  Freed African Americans with a documented birth certificate were then able to travel to England or join the British Army.  From my visit this appears to be the only reference to slavery in colonial New York in the museum.

Another interesting artifact in the museum is the lead tail from the statue of King George III on a horse that used to stand in Bowling Green only a few short blocks from Fraunces Tavern.  The statue of the King was pulled down by the colonists and melted down to make musket balls for the Continental Army.

Fraunces Tavern is worth the trip downtown to get a glimpse into New York at the time of the American Revolution.  Once inside the museum it is easy to forget the 21^st century world outside and gain a better understanding of the hustle and bustle of 18^th century New York.

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After work this Friday, I decided to go to the MCNY, which is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue. I was accompanied by my girlfriend, who I had decided to impress with my (extensive, yes I said extensive) knowledge of NYC history. When we were approaching the building, from a distance of about 100 yards, I noticed a statue outside the museum, and excitedly and confidently declared that it was the statue of Alexander Hamilton. To her surprise (and to be honest, mine as well) I was absolutely right. After such an auspicious start, I was looking forward to entering the museum.

When we paid and went in ad looked around, I felt like a historian watching “Gangs of New York”. I was terribly disappointed. Maybe we just chose the wrong time to go but half the museum was closed for renovations. There were some beautiful pictures on the first floor on one side and The American Style: Colonial Revival and the Modern Metropolis exhibition on the other. The pictures were modern and so its placement in this museum was lost on me.

At the other end, The American Style exhibition was a lot more fascinating and interesting. There were many interesting exhibits – and what I liked most about it was trying to figure out which era it belonged to and what historical significance it had. Unfortunately, most of my guesses ranged from way off to pathetically way off. But as they say, alls well that ends well. Just as we were about to leave the room, the last exhibit was depicting George Washington’s inauguration. At this my girlfriend said, “Ohh I didnt know this happened in NY”. I realized it was another opportunity to show off – I went into a lengthy narration starting with the British coming thru NYC and George Washington’s army fighting well but having to retreat in the night to the French assisting America win the revolutionary war and George Washington declaring independence in NYC. How I would love to say at this moment that my girlfriend was very impressed with my knowledge – all I got was “Good for him! Is this enough for your extra credit?”

We then moved to the second floor which was filled with an exhibition about the life of Joel Gray. Joel Gray was a performer and photographer of whom I had never heard. They had some fascinating information, pictures and other exhibits from his life. All I can say is that I wish it was from either Alexander Hamilton, Robert Moses or someone we had studied about. Around the corner, was a room which showed the interior decoration of the nineteenth century, which was really amazing!! Right between Joel Gray and the old but amazing furniture was the  Timescapes!! Timescapes is a 22 minute documentary on NYC by PBS!! For those of you, who cannot understand all the exclamations and the excitement, PBS also made the documentary which we watch in class. I thought it would serve 3 purposes – (1) give me enough material to write in this blog, (2) be like a quick recap of everything we learned just before the exam, and (3) give me another opportunity to show off and impress my girlfriend with my knowledge about NYC history (Yes some guys never quit).

Timescapes left me happy but even unsatisfied. As you can imagine, getting the history right from Hudson landing in Manhattan in the early 1600s to 9/11, 2001 within 22 minutes is an impossible task. When they skimmed over the revolutionary war and Alexander Hamilton, it was saddening but to not mention the Draft Riots, Tweed, or Amsterdam Vallon (kidding) did make me feel like I was being robbed. Overall, in the limited time available they did do a pretty good job – I can attest to that as my girlfriend with a nice big smile said, “now that was interesting”.

Overall, it was a very fascinating trip, which reiterated the fact that I do have a passion and liking for history – something that I did not realize before this class. Just as we stepped out of the museum into the pouring rain (I swear I am not making this up) and took a left to go towards the subway on 103rd st, we realized that we were standing at the statue of DeWitt Jackson. I felt like this was the perfect ending for a trip to the NYC Museum, as I strongly believe that DeWitt Jackson played the most important role, with the grid and the Erie Canal, in the modernization of NYC.

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