Hamilton Grange

History and architecture

The almost square architectural mass of Hamilton Grange is impressive in its symmetry and handsome proportions. Designed by one of the City's best early architects, John McComb, Jr., and incorporating features suggested by Hamilton, this Federal style house, with its porches and unpretentious clapboard exterior, has a gracious dignity.

"The Grange" was planned as a country seat by Alexander Hamilton for the open countryside and was named after his paternal grandfather's home in Scotland, It is one of the few remaining notable historical houses, designed in the Federal Style, of true architectural distinction.

Alexander Hamilton built the house with assistance from his father-in-law, General Philip Schuyler., It was erected in 1801 with Ezra Weeks as builder and was intended to provide a county seat from which Hamilton could escape the rigors of his career as soldier and statesman. The thirty-five acre property was once located on Kingsbridge Road (The Old Albany Post Road) so it was convenient for him to take the stagecoach to the State Capitol when the occasion arose.

Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804), one of the ablest leaders of his day, was a staunch Federalist with strong passions and prejudices which finally brought on his duel with Aaron Burr. In the Revolutionary War he served as secretary and aide-de-camp to General Washington with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Later he commanded a regiment under General Lafayette.

In 1798 he was appointed Inspector-General of the Army. A brilliant lawyer, he served in the Continental Congress of 1782 and of 1788. A member of the New York State Legislature in 1787, he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury in 1789. He is credited with proposing a national bank in 1791 and the mint in 1792, and he advocated the excise tax on spirits. With some friends he founded the New York Evening Post in 1801, He left a rich legacy of political writings, including many Federalist papers, to his country and to posterity.