Hamilton Friends

"Hamilton Friends challenged us to do more than we thought possible and to rise to the challenges we face as a society today."

-Danika Young, '06 Hamilton Scholar

Restoring the Grange: Hamilton Friends Intern Works to Preserve Hamilton's Original Home

The Grange, Alexander Hamilton's original Manhattan home, was the only home he ever owned. After years of wear, the National Parks Department is working to restore it. Hamilton Friends is honored to report that this summer one of their Hamilton Scholars, Kyle Baldwin, was able to intern at the site. With one of their own contributing to the project, Hamilton Friends can feel even more connected to the man whose vision shaped their organization.

The Grange, a Federal-style country house named after Hamilton�s grandfather�s estate in Scotland, was moved June 7th, 2008 from its original location to its new location on Convent Avenue in St. Nicholas Park, Manhattan. As part of the �Experience New York� Internship Program, Kyle Baldwin, �07 Hammie Winner, was the first intern to work at the Grange in New York from June 15th- August 7th.

�Working at the Grange was very complex but amazingly interesting,� said Kyle. �I learned so much more about history and government than I thought I would.�

As an intern at the Grange, Kyle worked with Lumus Construction. Some of his daily tasks included: government paperwork, inspections and inspection reports, some hands on restoration work and participating in historical investigations researching the house�s original state.

During his time working with Lumus Construction, Kyle was supervised by Michael Sauvageau, Superintendent for The Grange project. Mr. Sauvageau was committed to helping Kyle understand the magnitude of the project and arranged for Kyle to participate in a variety of meetings between contractors, subcontractors and National Park Service personal.

�Kyle brought a youthful energy, as well as valuable skills to the project,� said Sauvageau. �We were able to utilize his skills to create a new and more efficient record-keeping system. Some of what Kyle gifted me with will assist me personally in all my future projects.�

From his work with Mr. Sauvageau, Kyle said he learned management and business skills, and most importantly learned how to get things done despite major obstacles. By the end of his summer, Kyle reported gaining insight into the history of one of America�s most important founders.

�I learned a lot about Hamilton�s life and personality by the way he built his house and a lot about the details of his personal finances and the legacy he left behind him for his family,� Kyle said.

By the conclusion of his internship, Kyle said he gained valuable skills, but he also gained insight into his future career path. �Because of this internship I am now considering getting into a government contracting job after college,� said Kyle. �It has shown me what great things the Hamilton Friends Association can offer. I am eager to do anything I can to help the Hamilton program. It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. I loved it!�

The Grange is scheduled to open to the public in 2010. Hamilton Friends will be proud to report that a Hammie Winner assisted in its completion!

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"I had an amazing time in Quetzaltenango. This trip affected me more than any other experience I have ever had in my life... I gained an entirely new perspective on life and I thank Hamilton Friends for providing me with the opportunity to do so."

-Jillian Ogren, '07 Hamilton Scholar and Guatemala Leader Week attendee

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Seattle Leader Week SLIDESHOW!

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CLICK HERE to see a slideshow of the 2009 Seattle Leader Week.