ALEXANDER HAMILTON: FINANCIAL FOUNDING FATHER
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Guest Curators: Richard Sylla and Mark J. Higgins
Exhibit Description: Alexander Hamilton was not just a Founding Father— he was the architect of the American financial system. As the nation’ s first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton conceived and built the institutions that would underpin two centuries of American economic growth: a national bank, a funded national debt, a mint, a customs service and a vision for a manufacturing economy that would eventually make the United States the most powerful nation on Earth. This gallery brings Hamilton’ s story and legacy to life through rare artifacts, original documents and an experience you will find nowhere else in the world.
Exhibit Highlight: 1. Our AI-generated Hamilton— developed in partnership with the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology— answers your questions about finance, the founding of the American financial system and his own remarkable life. Speak with him in dozens of languages, from Spanish to Swahili. He is always engaged and ready to make the case for why a strong financial system is the foundation of a strong nation.
FEATURED OBJECTS
2. Report on the Public Credit, 1790
Collection of the Museum of American Finance
Submitted to Congress on January 9, 1790, Hamilton’ s Report on the Public Credit laid out his vision for how the new nation should handle its war debts— and in doing so, established the philosophical and structural foundation of the American financial system. Considered by many to be the economic equivalent of the US Constitution, it is among the most significant objects in the Museum’ s collection.
3. Society of the Cincinnati Badge Belonging to Alexander Hamilton
On loan from Douglas Hamilton, 5th Great Grandson of Alexander Hamilton
The Society of the Cincinnati was founded after the Revolutionary War for officers of the Continental Army and their French counterparts. The Society advocated for veteran’ s benefits, perpetuated the values fought for in the Revolution and commemorated the close bonds formed among its officers. George Washington was its first leader, succeeded after his death by Alexander Hamilton.
4. Thomas Jefferson Check on the Bank of the United States, 1793
John E. Herzog Collection, Museum of American Finance Thomas Jefferson despised the Bank of the United States and was vocal about his feelings. It is, therefore, ironic that he used it to conduct his personal banking.
5. Replica of the Dueling Pistols Used in the Hamilton-Burr Duel of 1804
Collection of the Museum of American Finance On display are replicas of the flintlock dueling pistols owned by Hamilton’ s brother-in-law, John Barker Church, who was married to Angelica Schuyler. Hamilton’ s son Philip was killed in an 1801 duel with the same pistols.
Presented in partnership with:
www. MoAF. org | Spring / Summer 2026 | FINANCIAL HISTORY 15