Source: The Wall Street Journal
Founded in 1806, the “sprawling, social-service agency called Graham Windham,” which serves 4,000 of the city’s most vulnerable children, recalls the legacy of the Elizabeth Hamilton, widow of Alexander Hamilton, who founded the organization in 1806 as the first private orphanage in New York City.
Since the success of Broadway’s ‘Hamilton,’ the show’s cast has reached out to the agency with donations, requests for pen pal relationships, and even free lessons in performing. Philippa Soo, who plays Elizabeth Hamilton in the show, has been encouraging fellow performers to help in “The Eliza Project,” which provides lessons in dance, acting, and rap to kids served by Graham Windham.
After seeing the show, youth living at one of Graham Windham’s residential campuses reported feeling inspired when hearing an allusion to their home. One student said the show has motivated her to read Ron Chernow’s ‘Alexander Hamilton,’ the inspiration for Miranda’s musical.
Lin Manuel Miranda and rest of the show’s cast are committed to strengthening the relationship between ‘Hamilton’ and the Graham Windham.
Read Full Story at: The Wall Street Journal