Friendship Hill

National Historic Site Pennsylvania National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Swiss-born Albert Gallatin (1761–1849) was influential in shaping the young United States and its politics and culture. He named his new farm on Pennsylvania’s frontier “Friendship Hill.” It was central to his dream of creating wealth from industry and land speculation in the wilderness, but he was persuaded to play a direct, firsthand role in his adoptive nation’s formative years. Gallatin was an entrepreneur, politician, diplomat, financier, gentleman farmer, and scholar. Revolutionary leader Patrick Henry called him “a most astonishing man.” He was Secretary of the Treasury, for Presidents Jefferson and Madison, for 13 years. In his first political office, he helped draft the Pennsylvania constitution. He was an assemblyman, briefly a U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, a U.S. Negotiator for the Treaty of Ghent that ended the War of 1812 with Great Britain, and U.S. Minister to France and to Great Britain. Gallatin’s 203-page A Sketch of the Finances of the United States (1796) called growing public debt “a public curse.” A nation, like a household, he wrote “should live within its means and avoid debt.” The first permanent standing committee of the U.S. Congress, on Ways and Means, to superintend government finances, grew from his proposal. As Secretary of the Treasury, Gallatin reduced the national debt from Revolutionary War days by half. He reduced military costs, increased customs (import tax) revenue, and sold public lands. Gallatin planned the financing of the Louisiana Purchase from France (1803), which doubled the U.S. land area, and he funded the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–06) to explore the new lands to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and Clark named the three rivers whose confluence forms the Missouri River for Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin. By 1802 Gallatin advocated federal funding for roads and canals—infrastructure called “internal improvements” then—to tie the nation together and to grow its economy. He called for roads and canals on the Atlantic Seaboard and across the Appalachian Mountains. Congress rejected his 1808 master plan, but the National Road was started from Cumberland, Md., in 1811 and completed to Wheeling, (now West) Va., on the Ohio River in 1818. This first link between Atlantic Ocean trade and America’s heartland preceded New York State’s Erie Canal by seven years. U.S. 40, the modern National Road, originally ended near Vandalia, Ill. It now stretches from coast to coast, with Interstate 70 approximating much of its former route. Beginning in 1813 as a U.S. diplomat in Europe, Gallatin worked on the Treaty of Ghent to end the War of 1812 and helped negotiate trade and other land treaties with Great Britain. At age 70 he became president of the new National Bank of New York (1831–39), later Gallatin National Bank, and helped found New York University to educate all classes, not just the wealthy. Late in his life Gallatin published influential studies of American Indian languages and tribes. In 1842, aged 81, he founded the American Ethnological Society. Based on his linguistic studies, he theorized that the Indians of North and South America had common, prehistoric ancestors from Asia. In 1843, aged 83, Gallatin turned down President John Tyler’s request that he once again serve as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Friendship Hill G A LLATIN A N D FRIEN D SH IP H ILL Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was born in 1761 in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1780 at age 19 he came to America, “the freest country in the universe,” with a friend, Henri Serre. Landing near Boston, Mass., just as the Revolutionary War wound down, they had $400 and a load of tea to sell, but made no profit. In 1783 Gallatin and a partner speculated in western lands—120,000 acres in Virginia and the Ohio River valley. Gallatin became an American citizen in 1785. Albert Gallatin BY THOMAS W. WHITTREDGE, AFTER A PORTRAIT BY GILBERT STUART NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Left: South wing of Friendship Hill NPS / LARRY OLSEN In 1786 Gallatin bought this 370acre Fayette County, Pa., farm. In 1789 he married Sophia Allegre and started the house Friendship Hill. Sophia died within a few months, and this may have propelled Gallatin into politics later in 1789. By frontier standards, Gallatin was a very well educated politician. He held the Swiss equivalent of a college degree. His career more than proved that Gallatin was superbly qualified for a life of public service. In 1793 Gallatin married Hannah Nicholson of New York City, daughter of former U.S. Navy commander-in-chief James Nicholson. In 1795 Gallatin and partners bought 650 more acres on the Monongahela River at Georges Creek. There Gallatin founded New Geneva, predicting prosperity from river trade and envisioning an industrial center in the wilderness. His business ventures there would include a general store, sawmill, gristmill, boat yard, and by 1799 a boring and grinding works for musket manufacture. Most profitable was the glassworks, producing windowpanes and bottles. Gallatin’s wife Hannah did not relish country life. The couple left Fayette County in 1825, never to live here again. By 1832 they had sold the western holdings and, with their three children, lived in New York City. Long absences for public service had doomed his New Geneva businesses. With them his dreams of industry in the wilderness were dashed. Albert’s second wife Hannah did not like frontier living but thrived in diplomatic society. She especially loved Paris, where she bought the perfume bottle shown at left. The diplomatic manual in French (far left) is from Gallatin’s extensive library. The Swiss watch belonged to Albert and Hannah’s son. In contrast to his mother, he liked their Friendship Hill lifestyle. The New Geneva Glassworks embodied Gallatin’s vision of industry on the Monongahela River. The firm made green glass bottles, windowpanes, and large vessels. Campaign poster (above) and Treasurer’s report (top) Swiss watch of son Albert Rolaz Hannah Gallatin’s perfume bottle ARTIFACT PHOTOS NPS / MICHAEL WILTSHIRE New Geneva Glassworks large vessel As Secretary of the Treasury (1801–14), Gallatin submitted an Annual Report to the House Ways and Means Committee, which grew from one of his earlier reports. He could also claim success in reducing by half the public debt from the Revolution. The 1796 campaign poster announced Gallatin’s bid for a second term in the U.S. Congress. He led the Democratic-Republicans there and became an ally of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. GALLATIN’S LIFE A BO U T Y O U R V I S I T 1761 Born Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin, January 29, Geneva, Switzerland 1789 Begins house at Friendship Hill. Marries Sophia Allegre in May; Sophia dies in October 1773–79 Educated in Geneva public academies 1789–90 Delegate, Pennsylvania convention, helps draft state constitution 1780 Emigrates to America at Boston and travels the country 1790–93 Member, Pennsylvania assembly 1782–83 Tutors French at Harvard College 1793 Marries Hannah Nicholson of New York City 1783 Speculates in western lands, buying, with a partner, 120,000 acres in Virginia and Ohio River valley 1793–94 U.S. Senator (disqualified Feb. 1794) 1794 Advocates peaceful settlement of Whiskey Rebellion 1785 Oath of allegiance to Virginia; becomes American citizen 1795 Buys with partners 650 more acres on the Monongahela River at Georges Creek; founds New Geneva 1786 Buys 370-acre farm (Friendship Hill) in Fayette County, Pa. 1795–1801 U.S. Representative from western Pennsylvania 1812 Promotes issuing Treasury bills to finance War of 1812 1826–27 U.S. Minister to Great Britain 1797 Establishes New Geneva Glassworks; gun factory established two years later 1814 Serves on U.S. negotiating team with Great Britain; signs Treaty of Ghent ending war 1830–31 Chairs council to establish New York University 1801–14 U.S. Secretary of the Treasury 1803 Devises plan to finance Louisiana Purchase 1816–23 U.S. Minister to France 1831–39 President of National Bank of New York (later Gallatin National Bank of New York City) 1825 Hosts France’s Marquis de Lafayette at Friendship Hill 1832 Sells remainder of western property, including Friendship Hill Friendship Hill is in Fayette County, Pa., near Uniontown, Pa., (12 miles) and Morgantown, W.Va., (10 miles) via U.S. 119 and Pa. 166. The park entrance is on Pa. 166, three miles from the U.S. 119 and Pa. 166 intersection. Gallatin House closes on some federal holidays. Contact the park for those dates. Albert Gallatin PORTRAIT BY MATTHEW WILSON / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 1836 Publishes influential study of American Indian tribes 1808 Submits plan to Congress for road and canal system linking the nation; plan as a whole is rejected, but building of the National Road is begun in 1811 1842 President of New-York Historical Society; founds the American Ethnological Society 1849 Dies August 12, Long Island, New York Facilities The historic house and grounds, information center, and picnic area with shelter and grills are open to the public. Find food and lodging in Point Marion, Uniontown, and Morgantown. Activities A self-guiding tour explores historic sections of the house. The park has over nine miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. The memorial grave of Gallatin’s first wife Sophia is in a wooded glen, a 20-minute round-trip walk Sophia Gallatin memorial grave NPS / LARRY OLSEN from the house. The main loop trail, 3.8 miles long, gives close looks at the area’s natural features. Accessibility The Gallatin House, picnic area, parking lot, and restrooms are wheelchair-accessible. Service animals are welcome. Safety The park lies on bluffs above the Monongahela River; beware of dangerous dropoffs along trails. • Wear sturdy footgear, carry water, and prepare for a steep climb back from the river. • Watch for mine openings throughout the site; do not enter mineshafts. • Surface water is highly acidic; do not drink from streams. • Do not disturb plants, animals, or cultural features in the park. • Metal detecting and collecting artifacts are illegal. For firearms regulations ask a ranger or check the park website. Related sites Fort Necessity National Battlefield on U.S. 40 (the National Road) 27 miles east of Friendship Hill commemorates the 1754 battle of Fort Necessity. It was George Washington’s first military encounter—and the start of the French and Indian War. More Information Friendship Hill National Historic Site Fort Necessity National Battlefield One Washington Parkway Farmington, PA 15437 724-329-5512 www.nps.gov/frhi Friendship Hill is one of over 390 parks in the National Park System. To learn more about national parks and National Park Service programs in America’s communities visit www.nps.gov. ARTIFACT PHOTOS NPS / MICHAEL WILTSHIRE Friendship Hill 1783 Treaty of Paris formally ends American Revolution PHOTO © R. MILLER GALLATIN’S LIFE IN THE CONTEXT OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia; Federalist Papers promote ratifying Constitution George Washingon President 1789–97 1791 Bill of Rights ratified; Bank of the United States established Albert Gallatin fourth Secretary of the Treasury STATUE BY JAMES EARLE FRASER DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C. G A L L AT I N H O U S E Sacagawea with Lewis and Clark during their expedition of 1804-06 Thomas Jefferson President 1801–09 (COLOUR LITHO) BY NEWELL CONVERS WYETH (1882-1945) PRIVATE COLLECTION/ PETER NEWARK AMERICAN PICTURES/ THE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY 1836 Battle of the Alamo; Republic of Texas created 1838–39 Trail of Tears: Up to a fifth of Cherokee Indians die in internment camps or during the forced removal to Indian Territory (today’s Oklahoma) 1803 Louisiana Purchase doubles area of United States 1804–06 Lewis and Clark expedition explores to Pacific Ocean James Madison President 1809–17 National Road milepost NPS PHOTO 1794 Whiskey Rebellion 1812 War with Great Britain; ends with 1814 Treaty of Ghent John Adams President 1797–1801 1816 Second Bank of the United States established 1800 Washington, D.C., becomes U.S. capital James Monroe President 1817–25 1818 National Road completed between Cumberland, Md., and Ohio River New Geneva in the early 1800s ILLUSTRATION NPS / ROBERT HYNES 1821 Florida bought from Spain John Quincy Adams President 1825–29 1830 Indian Removal Act forces eastern tribes west of Mississippi River; many die in the process 1835 National debt paid off according to Gallatin’s plan Signing the Treaty of Ghent BY SIR AMEDEE FORESTIER NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 1841 First American settlers reach Oregon Country by wagon train 1845 Texas admitted to Union as slave state 1846 Oregon becomes U.S. Territory A two-story brick house, the earliest part, was begun in 1789, the year Gallatin brought his bride Sophia to live here. It took several years to complete. After Sophia’s death Gallatin married Hannah Nicholson. In 1798 a growing family led to adding the Frame House. Gallatin’s public service took the family away from Friendship Hill— to Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Paris; and London. Hannah and the children often summered in New York City with her parents. From Paris Gallatin directed son Albert Rolaz to supervise a large addition. The Stone House (right) was nearly completed for the Gallatins’ return from Europe in 1823. The stone kitchen was built in 1824. Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette visited his namesake county in early 1825. After Lafayette spent a night at Friendship Hill, Gallatin said his famous guest “encumbered . . . my house with a prodigious crowd.” Waterfall along nature trail NPS / LARRY OLSEN In 1825 the Gallatins put the property up for sale and left Fayette County. Later owners enlarged and altered the house. A floor plan that shows how the house grew over the years is available for your self-guiding tour of the house. IGPO: 2011—365-615/80679 Reprint 2011 Stone kitchen