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Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization

Location:

Clinton, NY
Tax ID:

26-3918445
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2019):

Revenue: $270,788
Expenses: $246,842
Assets: $464,691
Founded:

2008

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The Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization is a right-leaning organization founded by three professors from Hamilton College. 1

The organization focuses on freedom, democracy, and capitalism. 2 Initially rebuffed by Hamilton College’s administration, the institute set up a headquarters off-campus in Clinton, New York. 3 The organization has held events with conservative organizations such as the Texas Public Policy Foundation and conducted programs on the Constitution. 4

Background

The Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization is a conservative organization founded by three professors from Hamilton College, a private New York state college, but located off-campus. 5

The institute says it promotes excellence in the scholarly study of freedom, democracy, and capitalism. 6

The institute’s founders are Hamilton history professors Robert L. Paquette and Douglas Ambrose and Hamilton economics professor James Bradfield. 7 Paquette is the president and executive director of the institute. He has taught at the college for more than three decades. 8

Enquiry is the student-run publication of the institute. 9

Founding

Paquette had gained attention on the campus when he opposed allowing convicted terrorist Susan Rosenberg to speak on the Hamilton campus. He also spoke negatively about Hamilton professor Ward Churchill, who has made many anti-American remarks. 10

When the institute was first proposed in 2006, some Hamilton College administrators and faculty complained the center would have more independence from the rest of the college than other academic units. 11

Liberal faculty from Hamilton College pressured the school’s administrators to oppose the institute. 12 Hamilton College stated there was “a lack of consensus about institutional oversight” for the proposed institute. 13

The three professors announced they would establish the Alexander Hamilton Institute “as an independent entity unaffiliated with Hamilton College” and would operate with the support of some Hamilton faculty members, other academics, and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a conservative-leaning organization that encourages college and university trustees, alumni, and donors to take a more active role in setting institutional policy. 14

The institute was located in a historic mansion known as the Alexander Hamilton Inn. 15

The group set up an outside board of academic advisers from different disciplines to guide the programming. 16

Programs

The institute began running programs on democracy and capitalism in the 2007-2008 academic year. 17

Its biggest annual event is the Carl B. Menges Colloquium, an event named after a distinguished Hamilton College alumnus. 18 Menges was a member of the Alexander Hamilton Institute board and a former member of the college’s board of trustees. 19

The institute has held conferences and events with like-minded organizations such as the National Association of Scholars, a conservative higher-education group; the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank; and the Edmund Burke Association, a conservative college debating group. 20

The institute also conducted programs on the role of upstate New York in ending slavery and about how Abraham Lincoln understood the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. 21 The institute further held speeches on Christopher Columbus and on debunking the writings of left-wing historian Howard Zinn. 22

References

  1. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  2. “Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization.” Cause IQ. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/alexander-hamilton-institute-for-the-study-of-west,263918445/
  3. “At last! The Hamilton Institute.” The New Criterion. October 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://newcriterion.com//issues/2007/10/at-last-the-hamilton-institute
  4. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  5. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  6. “Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization.” Cause IQ. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/alexander-hamilton-institute-for-the-study-of-west,263918445/
  7. Andom, Mary. “3 Hamilton Professors Revive Planned Center for Western Civilization, in a New Form.” American Council of Trustees and Alumni. September 18, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.goacta.org/news-item/3_hamilton_professors_revive_planned_center_for_western_civilization_in_a_n/
  8. Sabo, Mike. “Alexander Hamilton Institute Seeks to Bridge America’s Divisions.” Real Clear Education. October 8, 2020. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2020/10/08/the_alexander_hamilton_institute_seeks_to_bridge_americas_divisions_110482.html
  9. Sabo, Mike. “Alexander Hamilton Institute Seeks to Bridge America’s Divisions.” Real Clear Education. October 8, 2020. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2020/10/08/the_alexander_hamilton_institute_seeks_to_bridge_americas_divisions_110482.html
  10. Sabo, Mike. “Alexander Hamilton Institute Seeks to Bridge America’s Divisions.” Real Clear Education. October 8, 2020. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2020/10/08/the_alexander_hamilton_institute_seeks_to_bridge_americas_divisions_110482.html
  11. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  12. “At last! The Hamilton Institute.” The New Criterion. October 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://newcriterion.com//issues/2007/10/at-last-the-hamilton-institute
  13. Andom, Mary. “3 Hamilton Professors Revive Planned Center for Western Civilization, in a New Form.” American Council of Trustees and Alumni. September 18, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.goacta.org/news-item/3_hamilton_professors_revive_planned_center_for_western_civilization_in_a_n/
  14. Andom, Mary. “3 Hamilton Professors Revive Planned Center for Western Civilization, in a New Form.” American Council of Trustees and Alumni. September 18, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.goacta.org/news-item/3_hamilton_professors_revive_planned_center_for_western_civilization_in_a_n/
  15. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  16. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  17. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  18. Sabo, Mike. “Alexander Hamilton Institute Seeks to Bridge America’s Divisions.” Real Clear Education. October 8, 2020. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2020/10/08/the_alexander_hamilton_institute_seeks_to_bridge_americas_divisions_110482.html
  19. Andom, Mary. “3 Hamilton Professors Revive Planned Center for Western Civilization, in a New Form.” American Council of Trustees and Alumni. September 18, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.goacta.org/news-item/3_hamilton_professors_revive_planned_center_for_western_civilization_in_a_n/
  20. Sabo, Mike. “Alexander Hamilton Institute Seeks to Bridge America’s Divisions.” Real Clear Education. October 8, 2020. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.realcleareducation.com/articles/2020/10/08/the_alexander_hamilton_institute_seeks_to_bridge_americas_divisions_110482.html
  21. “Rejected by NY college, conservative center sets up off campus.” Diverse Education. September 17, 2007. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://www.diverseeducation.com/faculty-staff/article/15085360/rejected-by-ny-college-conservative-center-sets-up-off-campus
  22. Baker, Thomas M. “Ambrose gives Columbus Day lecture.” Rome Sentinel. October 24, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2021. https://romesentinel.com/stories/ambrose-gives-columbus-day-lecture,85091
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: March 1, 2009

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2019 Dec Form 990 $270,788 $246,842 $464,691 $12,988 N $263,316 $1,816 $5,656 $0 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $329,243 $418,342 $443,148 $15,391 N $323,260 $692 $5,291 $0 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $539,624 $404,946 $520,981 $4,125 N $535,462 $680 $3,482 $0 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $437,292 $343,265 $386,952 $4,774 N $436,346 $344 $602 $0
    2015 Dec Form 990 $452,801 $371,432 $341,024 $52,873 N $452,060 $670 $71 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $314,504 $335,925 $209,195 $2,413 N $313,354 $1,129 $21 $0 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $283,339 $280,648 $236,451 $8,248 N $282,362 $904 $73 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $331,108 $303,866 $233,165 $7,653 N $327,066 $4,114 $140 $0 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $284,562 $240,752 $228,640 $30,370 N $280,323 $4,348 $181 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization

    21 West Park Row
    Clinton, NY 13323