9 Must-See New Jersey Destinations for Hamilton Fans!
Living in the state of New Jersey means that – no matter where you go – you’re within driving distance of the places where our revolutionary founding fathers made history and made this country. None of those founding fathers have been as intertwined with modern pop culture as Alexander Hamilton, the most recent example of this being an entire Broadway musical dedicated to his life story, one which you’ve – no doubt – encountered in your day to day life. Anyone who knows anything about Hamilton also knows that he spent a remarkable amount of his time making history right here in New Jersey, right up until the New Jersey duel that led to his death. Here are the best places in NJ to visit for Hamilton fans ….
This post contains affiliate links.
9 Best Places in NJ to Visit for Hamilton Fans
1. Liberty Hall Museum- Union NJ
Liberty Hall is the house where Alexander Hamilton stayed while attending Elizabethtown Academy. The house was owned by William Livingston, who later became a member of the First and Second Continental Congress, and the first New Jersey Governor.
2. Washington Crossing State Park – Hopewell NJ
On December 26th 1776, General Washington led Hamilton, as well as Aaron Burr and future Presidents Madison and Monroe, in an attack on the Trenton barracks of the German Hessians, who were still hung over from their Christmas celebrations. The shocking victory in Trenton gave the Revolution its first momentum in the war. Visit the site where they crossed the Delaware River to begin their march to Trenton at Washington Crossing State Park.
3. Old Barracks Museum – Trenton NJ
While no there is no specific mention of Alexander Hamilton at the historic barracks in Trenton, Hamilton was instrumental in the victory of Continental forces over the Hessians and almost certainly spent some time here while the site was occupied by American troops.
4. Nassau Hall – Princeton NJ
Hamilton tells us that Alexander arrived in the colonies and sought out a Princeton education, with hopes of an accelerated course of study. What the music doesn’t tell us is that he actually didn’t get in. Hamilton eventually wound up attending Columbia University, but not after his initial rejection from Princeton caused him great mental distress. Fast forward a couple of years to the Revolutionary War… Legend has it that, while fighting the British forces in Princeton, Hamilton exacts a little revenge by firing a cannon ball into the side of Nassau Hall.
5. Monmouth Battlefield State Park – Freehold NJ
The Battle of Monmouth was a crucial battle in the Revolutionary War. After this infamous, bloody New Jersey conflict in the sweltering June heat, General Washington promoted Hamilton and made him a permanent member of his staff.
6. Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park –
Morristown NJ
After the previous year’s disastrous winter at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, Washington and his staff (including Hamilton) stayed at the Ford Mansion in Morristown during the winter of 1778-1779.
7. The Schuyler-Hamilton House – Morristown NJ
Anybody who’s seen or listened to Hamilton knows just how important the Schuyler family was to the life of Alexander Hamilton, as well as to the American Revolution. Any Hamilton super-fan (or really any New Jersey super-fan) should definitely visit the house where they first stayed after their marriage.
8. Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park & The Paterson Museum – Paterson NJ
Not only was Alexander Hamilton a founding father of the United States, he was also instrumental in founding the city of Paterson! Hamilton created the organization that eventually planned and built the city of Paterson, which became the first planned industrial city in the United States. You can learn about Hamilton’s time in Paterson at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, as well as at the Paterson Museum. Bonus: Visitors get to see the Paterson Great Falls – the second highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River!
9. Weehawken Dueling Grounds – Weehawken NJ
Any die hard follower of the Ten Duel Commandments should definitely visit the grounds where both Philip (Alexander’s eldest son) and Alexander Hamilton were fatally injured while dueling. When preparing for his duel with Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton actually purposefully stood in the same spot where Phillip stood when he was mortally wounded while defending his father’s name.
Have you visited any of these must-see New Jersey destinations for Hamilton fans? Post your comments below & tell us about your visit!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017