Strangers – Highlighted

Since 1814, The Athenaeum has been visited by politicians, diplomats, scientists, and literary figures. Our guest book was traditionally called the Record of Strangers: each non-member, or "Stranger" was usually signed in by an Athenaeum member. Here are some well-known Strangers who visited us over the years. To see who may have signed in on today's date, click here.

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Eliza. [Elizabeth] Hamilton
(signed in by John C. Montgomery)

Wednesday November 17, 1847
Athenaeum

Other

Occupation: Philanthropist
Residence: New York

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Volume 5 

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, August 9, 1757 – November 9, 1854

Elizabeth Hamilton, who also went by Eliza and Betsey, was the widow of founding father Alexander Hamilton. In fact, the Record of Strangers indicates this via a note under her name that reads "Widow of Genl Alexander Hamilton". She was a philanthropist and activist in her own right, known for her work in preserving her husband's writings and legacy, as well as her charity work. She also appears to be one of, if not the first woman to appear in the Record of Strangers. The Record of Strangers indicates that, along with the introducing member John C. Montgomery, she visited with Nathaniel R. Snowden, a Presbyterian minister from Philadelphia.


Portrait courtesy of Wikimedia Commons — SourceSourceSource


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Widow W. Storm, born A. M. M. [Anna Maria Margaretha] van der Chijs
(signed in by [Illegible])

Saturday June 19, 1858
Athenaeum

Education & Scholarship
Other

Occupation: Philanthropist and Social Reformer
Residence: Netherlands - Delft

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Volume 5 

Mienette Storm-van der Chijs, August 26, 1814 — January 1, 1895 

Mienette Storm-van der Chijs, born Anna Maria Margaretha van der Chijs, was a Dutch philanthropist and social reformer. Daughter of a wealthy merchant, she received a private education and married preacher Willem Storm. Storm died within a year of their marriage, followed a year later by Van der Chijs' mother, making her a wealthy and independent woman. Van der Chijs began traveling the world, establishing colonies in South Africa and the United States for Dutch orphans. On her tour of the United States, which included this visit to the Athenaeum, she was inspired to open vocational schools for women so that they could work and achieve financial independence. She was also active in the arts, corresponding with Longfellow and contributing to American journals. Later in life, she sought to establish a villa that would provide living and working spaces for artists. Van der Chijs was a central figure to the women's movement both in the Netherlands and globally, and is one of the few women whose names appear in the Record of Strangers in the 19th century.


Portrait courtesy of Wikimedia Commons — SourceSourceSourceSource


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Miss Wadsworth
(signed in by Jn Keating)

Monday May 22, 1837
Philosophical Hall
104 South Fifth Street, Independence Square, First Floor

Unknown

Occupation: Unknown
Residence: Geneseo [New York]

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Volume 4 

Miss Wadsworth

This entry possibly indicates a visit by Elizabeth "Elise" Wadsworth (1815–1851), a resident of Geneseo, New York, and daughter of James Wadsworth, one of the early settlers of the Genesee Valley in western New York. James visited the Athenaeum multiple times with his son, James Jr., who also visited on his own throughout his life. This visit by Miss Wadsworth is possibly the first time a woman appears as a visitor to the Athenaeum in the Record of Strangers.


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