Hamilton Grange Gardens

The gardens were Hamilton's vision.

NPS Photo

One of the many impressive features of The Grange would have been the extensive gardens that surrounded it. Alexander Hamilton’s gardens would have had many exotic plants that he had received from his close friend, Dr. Hosack, founder of the Elgin Botanic Garden, the first public botanical garden in the United States. Hamilton wrote specific instructions for a circular garden in front of The Grange. The flowers included tulips, lilies, hyacinths, and roses.

Reportedly, Alexander Hamilton planted 13 sweet gum trees to represent the 13 original colonies. New York City has a great climate for sweet gum trees. They thrive near swamps and springs and these features were common in the Harlem area in the early-19th century. While the original trees are gone, the current trees are a living memorial to Hamilton’s legacy.