Another part of the lovely Robin's and my July Fourth celebration today was a visit to Hamilton, Ohio's Soldiers and Sailors Monument, an imposing stone edifice on the banks of the Great Miami River. Until today we had only driven by the striking monument, though I have often wished to see the inside. So, since it was open in celebration of the Fourth, we took the time to visit.
Built of Indiana Limestone, is near the center of the site of Fort Hamilton, built in 1791 and named in honor of Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury in President George Washington's cabinet.
The inside is surprisingly spacious, and chock full of historic memorabilia, including a scale model of Fort Hamilton, which once stood on the site.
Etched on the walls are the names of soldiers and sailors from Butler County who served in our nation's wars, from the Revolutionary War up to the present day.
The building features beautiful stained-glass windows, like the above, featuring the Great Seal of the State of Ohio. Two large windows also recognize the contributions of Butler County women during the Civil War.
A large, stately marble staircase leads to the second floor, where the displays continue, including cases of period military uniforms and weaponry.
One of the items on display (above) is a portion of a tree trunk in which two cannonballs were embedded. The placard above the tree says only that it was from a Southern battlefield, presumably from the War Between the States.
The museum is open to the public free of charge from 10-4 Monday through Friday and 11-3 on Saturdays.
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