09/04/2026
RETROSPECT
by John Conway
September 4, 2026
HAMILTON AT THE NARROWSBURG UNION
Alexander Hamilton was indisputably one of the most influential Founding Fathers in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, and his contributions to the series of essays that have become known as the Federalist Papers helped immeasurably to secure the document’s ratification, so it is fitting that the Sullivan County Semiquincentennial Commission will be commemorating Constitution Day this year by screening the movie version of the hit Broadway musical that bears his name.
Constitution Day is September 17, a celebration of the document that codified the great experiment in self-government that was the United States of America, and marking the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 by 39 representatives of 12 states.
That was a major step—formalized less than a year later when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it— toward Americans becoming, in the words of John Jay, “the first people whom heaven has favoured [sic] with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.”
Alexander Hamilton played a pivotal role in shaping the document, and the balance it was able to strike between strong federal powers and personal liberty was mainly due to his advocacy, so who better to honor in celebrating the occasion?
Lin Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” will be shown at the Narrowsburg Union on Saturday evening, September 19, sponsored by the Barryville-based nonprofit history education group, The Delaware Company and the Narrowsburg Union.
The event begins at 7 p.m. and will include light refreshments and an introduction by this columnist, your Sullivan County Historian. There is no charge for admission, but seating is limited, and pre-registration is required. Seats can be reserved by emailing [email protected], and writing “Hamilton” in the subject line of the email. No one will be admitted to the show who has not pre-registered.
While it would be inaccurate to represent that the musical—or its titular character—has any direct link to Sullivan County, it has long been known that Aaron Burr, the show’s narrator and chief antagonist, practiced law in the county from time to time, although the specifics of his connection here remain elusive. The fact only adds to the appropriateness of the selection.
Burr’s military service during the Revolutionary War, although fairly brief, was marked by leadership and bravery, and he was considered by many, including George Washington and John Sullivan, as one of the most promising officers in the Continental Army. Unfortunately, his post military career took quite a different turn.
Burr left the Army before the war ended and used his military service to circumvent the requirements for being admitted to the New York State Bar, one of the first of his many manipulations of the system for his own advancement.
At some point, Burr also employed Samuel Mitteer of Hurleyville as a carpenter, and popular tradition holds that it was Mitteer who fashioned the post that Burr used for target practice as he prepared for his fateful duel with Hamilton, which is depicted in the penultimate scene in the musical.
Hamilton, shot in the abdomen, died some 31 hours after the duel. Burr, meanwhile, fled the scene, initially going to Philadelphia, but then, faced with the prospect of being charged with murder—duels had been outlawed in both New York and New Jersey by 1804—he hid out in Georgia for a time before returning to Washington to resume his duties as Vice President.
The musical takes some editorial liberties to increase the dramatic effect, and alters timelines to the extent that it is not to be taken as an accurate historical account, but it is compelling storytelling enhanced by a soundtrack that is not easily forgotten, so it is a must see. It is almost impossible for one to view the musical and not have the lyrics of “Wait for It” or “My Shot” or “You’ll Be Back” resounding in one’s head for weeks afterward.
The showing of Hamilton is one of the last of the many scheduled events commemorating America’s 250th birthday in Sullivan County, but there is possibly one more yet to come.
Organizers are working on a return of the heralded Magical History Tour bus trips around Sullivan County to take place on Saturday, October 24. There is much still to be worked out, but stay tuned. If it does come to be, it would be the 25th edition of the popular event, and plans are for it to highlight The Delaware Company’s trademarked Revolution to Revolution approach to promoting Sullivan County’s history.
Watch for further information in a future Retrospect column.
John Conway is the Sullivan County Historian, President of The Delaware Company, and co-chair of the Sullivan County Semiquincentennial Commission. His Retrospect column runs every Friday in the Sullivan County Democrat newspaper. Email him at [email protected].
PHOTO CAPTION: The movie version of the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton" will be shown at the Narrowsburg Union on Saturday, September 19 as part of Sullivan County's ongoing Semiquincentennial commemoration.
