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Located in Charlestown
, the museum interprets the History and Culture of Nevis and the life of Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the United States
Treasury. The Museum is housed in a Caribbean Georgian building that was built on the foundation of the structure where Alexander Hamilton was born. The
original house, built in 1680, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1840. Hamilton, born on January 11, 1755, was the illegitimate son of Scotsman James Hamilton and Nevisian Rachael Fawcett
Levine. Bright and enterprising, he was at seventeen sent to the North American colonies for education at King's College (now Columbia University) in New York. The young man soon became involved in politics,
and with the outbreak of the Revolution he became a captain of artillery. In that capacity he attracted the attention of George Washington, whom he served as secretary and aide-de-camp.
Hamilton was one of the original members of the continental congress in Philadelphia, and he was chosen as the first Secretary of the United States Treasury. A brilliant economist, Hamilton was largely responsible
for the federalist financial policies of the new nation. His opposition to Aaron Burr during the Presidential contest of 1800 undoubtedly contributed to the election of Burr's rival, Thomas Jefferson; his renewed
opposition to Burr in the 1804 campaign for the governorship of New York undoubtedly contributed to Burr's issuance of a challenge to duel. Hamilton accepted: the two met at Weehawken Heights, NJ, on a bluff
overlooking the Hudson River, and Hamilton was fatally wounded. The Museum features artifacts left from the first
indigenous people who came to Nevis from other nearby islands about 4,000 years ago These people were followed by other groups of people who left a series of ceramic styles which are on display. The museum also
hosts displays of artifacts from the political and cultural history of Nevis. One unique feature for a museum of history that the Nevis History museum offers is a look at nature conservancy on
the island of Nevis. Examples of soil conservation, wetlands conservation, and forest conservation can all be viewed at the museum. For a truly complete perspective on Nevis today, you need to understand Nevis of
yesterday. Visit The
Museum Of Nevis History Web Site |
