Reprinted with permission of
the Journal-News
By Richard O Jones
HAMILTON — The statue of Alexander Hamilton will be unveiled
Aug. 21 in the middle of High Street at Journal Square.
The City of Sculpture and Historic Hamilton Inc. have teamed
up for the project.
Bill Wilks, chairman of the Alexander Hamilton Sculpture
Committee, recently returned from the foundry in Norman, Okla., where sculptor
Kristen Visbal put the finishing touches on the clay version of the sculpture
that will be cast in bronze this summer.
“When I looked at the clay model, I though ‘This is going to
be spectacular,”’ he said. “The people of Hamilton are going to love this.”
The title of the sculpture is “The American Cape.” It
depicts Hamilton in the middle of making a speech with a flag unfurling like a
cape behind him. Visbal will use different patinas to suggest the colors of the
flag. The plan includes not only the placement of “The American Cape,” but a
series of plaques to be placed around Journal Square that will give historical
information regarding Alexander Hamilton and his accomplishments.
Local historian Jim Blount has written the text for bronze
plaques that will be mounted on three marble pedestals. Blount also gathered a
collection of quotes from Hamilton’s writings and speeches — “Those who stand
for nothing fall for anything,” for instance — to be engraved on pavers that
will also be placed in Journal Square.
Hamilton signed the Declaration of Independence and served
as the first Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington. He was
instrumental in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, writing most of “The
Federalist Papers,” a series of 85 essays that helped gain public support for
the Constitution. He died July 11, 1804 after a famous duel with Aaron Burr.
Fundraising for the statue itself has been completed, but
the committee is still seeking contributions for the placement of the plaques
and pavers. “Those who contribute $100 or more will be listed in the historical
programs that will be distributed at the dedication,” Wilks said. “Those who
are able to give $1,000 or more will be permanently listed on the large bronze
markers that are being designed for the center of Journal Square.” Plans are also in the works for a fountain
and benches to be installed at Journal Square to accompany the statue.
Donations may be sent to Alexander Hamilton Sculpture, c/o the Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 N. Third St., Hamilton, Ohio 45011.