Hamilton to be permanent fixture in namesake city/10-16
Downtown statue of statesman to be unveiled next week
Saturday, October 16, 2004

Reprinted with permission of the Journal-News

By Richard O Jones

JournalNews

HAMILTON — Hamilton, meet Alexander. Alexander, meet the city that took your name.

A more formal introduction will take place 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, when “The American Cape,” the long-awaited statue of the statesman who appears on the $10 bill and for whom the city of Hamilton was named, is unveiled at High Street and Journal Square.

This 12-foot, 4-inch, 4,000-pound bronze figure will stand atop a three-foot base.

“The American Cape,” which according to Historic Hamilton Inc. is the largest likeness of Hamilton in the country, will sit on a base at Journal Square and High Street in downtown Hamilton facing east.

Guests at the dedication will include Douglas Hamilton, a fifth-great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton, and Stephen Knott, author of the recently-published book “Alexander Hamilton and the Persistence of Myth.”

Local dignitaries on the program include historian Jim Blount, who created the text for a series of informational plaques that will be placed in Journal Square, Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan, City of Sculpture officials Trudy Marcum and Gerry Hammond and Historic Hamilton officials Dave Belew and Bill Wilks.

Student representatives from Hayes Elementary School, the school that raised the most money in the “Bring Alex to Hamilton” fundraising drive, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Hamilton High School’s Rhapsody in Blue show choir will sing the national anthem.

The statue will arrive and be installed Thursday, but will be kept under wraps until the dedication.

Historic Hamilton officials suggest that those wishing to attend the dedication ceremony bring a lawn chair. High Street will be closed between Second and Third streets for the ceremony, and in order to facilitate a quick break-down, no seating will be provided.

A photo of Hamilton’s newest sculpture will be online after October 18 at www.cityofsculpture.org

For 25 years, Historic Hamilton Inc. has sought to discover, preserve, and memorialize the architecture and history of the city of Hamilton. “Several years ago, we began discussing the idea of sponsoring a sculpture of one of our local pioneers who had impacted history,” said Historic Hamilton board member Karen Whalen.  “It was soon determined that the sculpture should be of Alexander Hamilton, the namesake of our city.”

Historic Hamilton asked City of Sculpture Inc. to assist in the project to coordinate the activities of the sculptor while Historic Hamilton, under the leadership of president Bill Wilks, would lead the fund-raising effort.

In an effort to instill a sense of community ownership for “The American Cape,” the decision was made that this piece would be entirely privately funded, Wilks said. 

The $200,000 project moved forward as contributions arrived from local school children, area clubs, local businesses, firefighters and generous individual Hamiltonians who joined the initiative of bringing “Alex” to Hamilton.

“There was no lead contributor on this project,” Wilks said. “It is truly an effort of the entire community.”

An international call for entries conducted by City of Sculpture ended with the May 2003 selection of “The American Cape,” by Delaware artist Kristen Visbal. She will attend the unveiling. Choosing to depict the intellectual versus military attributes of this Founding Father, these organizations sought a composition that was dynamic, patriotic and unusual, said Historic Hamilton officials.

Visbal’s submission was selected for her innovative design, highly detailed work and fluidity of style, according to City of Sculpture officials.

“I’ve always felt great responsibility, as a sculptor, to document our history,” Visbal said. “When presented with the opportunity to sculpt Alexander Hamilton, I was honored and thrilled to create a historical work with energy and movement; one that would enrich the landscape of America and instill pride in its citizens for one of our most intelligent and accomplished Founding Fathers.”

“Through projects such as these, community members have the opportunity to create a legacy for our city,” said Trudy Marcum, president of City of Sculpture. “Through our vision, I feel we are transforming our city into a cultural center to

be enjoyed by community members and visitors alike. Industry comes and go, but art is forever.”