In Photos: Lin-Manuel Miranda Visits Treasury
On March 14, 2015, Secretary Jack Lew welcomed the creator and star of Broadway’s Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Secretary and Miranda talked about the enduring mark Alexander Hamilton left on our nation’s history and the Secretary provided a brief tour of Hamilton’s possessions and portraits on display at the Treasury Department.
This was Miranda’s first visit to the Treasury Department. Miranda was accompanied by his father, Luis A. Miranda, Jr. of New York City.
“[Lin-Manuel] identified a quintessentially American story. In the character of Hamilton — a striving immigrant who escaped poverty, made his way to the New World, climbed to the top by sheer force of will and pluck and determination — Lin-Manuel saw something of his own family, and every immigrant family. And in the Hamilton that Lin-Manuel and his incredible cast and crew bring to life — a man who is ‘just like his country, young, scrappy, and hungry’ — we recognize the improbable story of America, and the spirit that has sustained our nation for over 240 years.”
— President Obama in his opening remarks to the Hamilton White House performance
The Secretary thanked Miranda for the ingenious way in which he has been able to tell Hamilton’s story and ignite a renewed interest in one of our nation’s founding fathers. Secretary Lew also reiterated his commitment to continue to honor Alexander Hamilton on the 10 dollar bill.
“We hope that the remarkable life of Alexander Hamilton will show our young people the possibilities within themselves, and how much they can achieve in the span of a lifetime.” — President Obama
Later in the day, the Hamilton cast and band took a break from rehearsing in the East Wing of the White House and stopped by the Treasury for a tour of the building.