
200+ Years in the Making
An interactive look at the long and proud history of Hamilton College
In 1793 Samuel Kirkland, missionary to the Oneida Indians, presented his “Plan of Education” to President George Washington, who “expressed approbation,” and to Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who consented to be a trustee of the new school, to which he also lent his name. The Hamilton-Oneida Academy was chartered soon thereafter. Nineteen years later, in 1812, the academy was rechartered as Hamilton College. Read more about the history of the College.
Almost every year since 1865, a member of the 50th reunion class has reminisced about life on College Hill as it was a half-century earlier. This chain of letters provides a fascinating history of Hamilton’s past.
Since 1975, each new student signs the College Register in historic Kirkland Cottage to symbolize matriculation at Hamilton.
Watch your step! Tradition has it that students who walk across the bronze map in the center of campus will not graduate.
Hamilton’s very own sprint triathlon features a 525-yard swim, 9-mile bike and 5K running competition that coincides with the last weekend of spring classes.
A cane is awarded to each graduating senior as a token of the College’s affection. The head of the cane forms a Continental tricorn hat in honor of Baron von Steuben, drillmaster of Washington’s Continental Army, who laid the cornerstone of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy.
Since 1912, Hamilton students have signed the Honor Code, pledging to “abstain from dishonesty in all academic work.”
Feb Fest heats up campus during the cold of winter. Events have included snow sculpture contests, chocolate tastings, snoccer (snow soccer), chili cook-offs, concerts, the crowning of Mr. Hamilton and more.
More than 50 buildings on campus honor people who shaped not only Hamilton's history, but in many cases the history of our nation.