A Day in Hamil-Tunes History!

A Day in Hamil-Tunes History!

On September 21, 2019, the Schuyler Center joined the Albany Institute of History and Art for their Family Expedition Day and Hamil-Tunes Karaoke.

While museum-goers of all ages learned about the world of Alexander Hamilton and the Schuyler Sisters, our own President and CEO, Kate Breslin, spoke with passers-by about our link to Hamilton, our connection with the Schuyler family, and how their legacy of civic-mindedness manifested in the work of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. Many people were excited to discover us, and picked up copies of our literature, our State of New York’s Children Data Book, as well as some yummy chocolates.

When it came time for Hamil-Tunes Karaoke, Schuyler Center Director of Development Chris Thompson knew how to get the crowd going! His emcee skills ensured everyone was clapping and on their feet. Fifteen songs weren’t enough for this group of Hamilton fans—after one round of singing-a-long, a short intermission was followed by even more musical fun.

The Schuyler Center team cheered everyone on, and some even got up to sing. Before the event was over, Chris, Director of Policy Dede Hill, and Communications Associate Amy Weismann couldn’t resist dressing up in a bit of period-themed costume for a quick picture. Many thanks to the Albany Institute of History and Art for including us in this event!

Photo Album

History Expedition Family Day Hosted by Albany Institute of History & Art

History Expedition Family Day Hosted by Albany Institute of History & Art

Join the Schuyler Center and the Albany Institute of History and Art for a special day of family fun on Saturday, September 21, 2019! Travel back in time and learn about the world of Alexander Hamilton, The Schuyler Sisters, and how their legacy of civic-mindedness manifested in the work of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. Enjoy hands-on history, art activities, a costume station, and a museum scavenger hunt. Then, get ready to clap and sing as our own Christopher Thompson emcees the famous “Hamil-Tunes” karaoke event!

Schedule of Events:
10AM-4:30PM: Discovering History scavenger hunt
10AM-4:30PM: Art Making
10AM-4:30PM: History Dress-Up Station
10:30AM-12:30PM: Write a letter to the Schuyler Sisters
1PM-4PM: Hamil-Tunes: an American Singalong

Go to the Albany Institute’s Facebook Event page for more information!

*Graphic credit goes to the Albany Institute of History & Art[/vc_column_text]

Schuyler Center’s connection with Hamilton

Schuyler Center’s connection with Hamilton

A cynic could think that Schuyler Center’s “Hamilton fever” is opportunistic. They wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Many of us on the staff are head-over heels Hamilton fans, harboring dreams of receiving a personal invitation (and tickets) from composer/playwright/actor Lin Manuel Miranda himself.

In fact, Schuyler Center’s connection with Alexander and Eliza Hamilton is real, as is our pride in that connection. It is not a stretch to say that the Schuyler Center is carrying on some of the finest aspects of our foreparents’ legacy – particularly that of Eliza.

Let’s jump to the end of the show when Eliza sings with quiet pride about what she considers to be her greatest legacy: “the orphanage, the orphanage.” Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, widowed abruptly at the age of 47 when Alexander Hamilton was killed by Aaron Burr in a duel, would live for another fifty years, reaching the age of 97. When Alexander died, Eliza was left impoverished, and with several of their seven surviving children still young. And yet, she did not withdraw from her engagement with the world. Instead, she became a leader in her own right – devoting much of her time and resources to charitable work to aid orphans and individuals experiencing homelessness. Among her proudest achievements – at least according to the musical – was founding New York’s first orphanage.

Schuyler Center’s founder, Louisa Lee Schuyler, seems to have been cut from the same cloth as her great-grandmother Eliza. She was fully engaged in the world, and her life’s work was to improve the health and well-being of individuals living in poverty. What gives us even greater pride: Louisa leveraged her talent, wealth and privilege not to simply help individual families endure poverty or illness, but to reform and build systems to reduce and prevent poverty and ill health. She did that by forming “citizen brigades” – groups of New Yorkers who toured the state’s almshouses and then went to Albany and other seats of power, told the story of the horrid conditions they observed, and demanded reforms. As SCAA Executive Director, Homer Folks remarked after Louisa died “She didn’t build a Schuyler Home for Children; she preferred to influence and develop community and State.”

Today, when we are in the Capitol grossly outnumbered by hundreds of lobbyists representing impossibly well-resourced corporate clients, we sometimes despair of how we will get New York leaders to prioritize the needs of politically powerless children and low-income families. At these moments, we draw strength from our legacy – of Louisa and her “citizen brigades” telling the story of the alms-houses with unflagging persistence and determination, not stopping until they achieved real change.

*photo credit goes to Proctors[/vc_column_text]

The Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle

The Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle

On July 23rd, members of the Schuyler Center family attended the special opening day reception for The Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle exhibit at the Albany Institute of History and Art.

The exhibit, which runs through December 29th, features many artifacts from the Schuyler family history, including clothing, personal letters written by Phillip Schuyler and other members of prominent Albany families, artwork, and period dresses. Some of the most notable items in the collection include a lock of Alexander Hamilton’s hair, as well as his and Eliza’s wedding bands.

As a part of the Schuyler family legacy, we were thrilled to see how well-attended the event was. Senator Neil Breslin, father of our President and CEO Kate Breslin, attended the opening, as did Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, who gave Schuyler Center a shout-out during her speech!

We are honored to be connected to the rich history exhibited by the Albany Institute, especially with Hamilton fever coming to Albany. Take a look below to see our photos of the event, and to see us featured in the Times Union SEEN Events, photos 76, 123 and 143. You can also click here for our full coverage of all things Hamilton going on during the month of August and beyond!

Press Articles