Tour Details
Photos & Highlights
- Get the inside scoop of the history behind the musical as you about the role of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and other key figures in early American history
- Led by an expert in Revolutionary and Colonial American history
- Trinity Church, Fraunces Tavern, Bowling Green, and Federal Hall
Tour Description
In the hip-hop musical Hamilton we learn about America's immigrant founding father and the Revolutionary War. But, who was Hamilton? Where does the play depart from history? And how did the Revolutionary War impact New York City? In this three-hour walking tour of Hamilton's New York we'll dive into the history of the late colonial period, explore the Revolutionary War in NYC, and discuss the Hamilton’s role in establishing American independence and how this impacts what, and who, America is today.
Hamilton Tour NYC
We’ll begin this Hamilton Tour together at the southern-most tip of Manhattan, which was founded as New Amsterdam by the Dutch in 1643. Its proximity to the Hudson River was a contributing factor in the colony’s prosperity and economic growth, and it eventually became the most important port for the British Empire. Hamilton himself was born and raised in the West Indies, was orphaned at age 13, and arrived to the colonies in 1772. He quickly became involved in politics, joining the militia and later serving as Washington’s chief of staff during the war. At the present-day site of the Museum of the American Indian, we’ll explore Hamilton's immigrant identity and consider the multi-ethnic communities that were already beginning to grow and shape what would eventually become the United States.
The Revolutionary War and 1776
Walking through Battery Park and on to Bowling Green, we’ll study the political position of these parks in protecting New York into the 18th century. Here, we’ll focus on the shift from Dutch colonization to the British Empire and Hamilton’s important role in the Revolutionary War. Ever-increasing economic trade, combined with the Seven Years War and increased angst about imperial taxation, caused colonists to revolt, resulting in a series of key events such as the Second Continental Congress and Battle of Yorktown, in which Hamilton played a crucial role. We’ll discover more about Hamilton’s friendship with figures like Marquis de Lafayette and John Laurens, their influential roles in the war and their contributions to the colony’s independence from Great Britain.
Becoming the United States of America
Passing by Fraunces Tavern, a popular meeting spot for the Sons of Liberty and where Washington bid his famous farewell, we’ll look at the role of Hercules Mulligan, a friend of Hamilton’s, in serving as spy and saving Washington’s life on two occasions. Walking towards Trinity Church, we’ll consider the role of religion in the British Empire during the eighteenth century, and visit the gravesite of Hamilton, his wife Eliza, and Angelica Schuyler. Our time together will end near City Hall Park and the US Treasury, to which Hamilton was appointed Secretary, and was just one of many legacies he left during his prolific career after the war.
Take-Aways
The colonial past is still very much present in modern-day New York, as evidenced by the immense popularity of the musical and renewed interest in Hamilton's life. By piecing together sites with key figures and events from the Revolutionary War, we will uncover a picture of the country’s most formative time period.
To learn more about Lower Manhattan's history, we recommend our Greenwich Village tour. For a further look at New York's multiethnic identity, try our Jackson Heights tour or our New York Chinatown food tour.
FAQ
Where do we meet?
Generally speaking, the walk begins near Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24 hour phone number for any last minute issues.
Where does the tour end?
Generally speaking, the walk begins near near Trinity Church, located at 75 Broadway.
What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
Is this a walking intensive tour?
This walk covers about 2 miles overall at a gentle pace. There are occasional opportunities to sit, use the bathroom, and get something to drink if needed.
Where You'll Start
Tour Experts
Benjamin
Ben Rubin holds a bachelor's degree from Hanover College, a Master's from Western Carolina University, and is completing his Ph.D. at Drew University. He is also a graduate of the Cornell School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University. His work has been published in the Journal of Backcountry Studies and in Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution. In addition to academic experience, Ben worked as a docent at the Biltmore House in Asheville, and as a whitewater raft guide on the Nantahala River.
Glenn
Dr. Glenn M. Grasso is a maritime historian with interests in cultural history, historical memory, architecture, and the marine environment. After a decade teaching, he moved to the private sector as writer and lead historian for a New York rare document dealer. He has worked in museums, sailed square-riggers, and researched waterfront cultures around the world. His academic training, irreverent humor, and years selling historic documents written by Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, to name a few, help him to connect these people and their works to historic sites.
58 Reviews
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Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
My husband and I felt we were more prepared for the play, Hamilton after our Context tour with Benjamin. He was excellent and provided us with insights into the background both relating to Hamilton and beyond. Even though we picked this tour because of the play, the history of the time and places we visited in lower Manhattan would have held our interest even without going to the play.
Joanne
Dec. 26, 2019
Great tour! Benjamin was awesome!
Virginia
Dec. 22, 2019
The guide was talking to one person as we walked and the rest could not hear what was being said. My wife and I were on several Context tour in Italy and Spain, this tour was disappointing. The rain did not help, but he could of waited until we were all together to start talking. We left early.
Douglas
Dec. 17, 2019