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Immerse yourself in a visual and textual telling of Hamilton history with the new Hamilton Timeline, a dramatic digital rendering of the Hill past and present.  The timeline, designed to celebrate Hamilton’s Bicentennial, recounts the history of the college starting with the pre-Hamilton days and Samuel Kirkland’s plan to educate the Indians. Significant events in Hamilton’s history are portrayed through photos and text.

A new building and events at Hamilton drew much interest from local media during 2012. The opening of the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art and the all-alumni celebration of Hamilton’s bicentennial garnered significant attention, and faculty members offered expertise on timely news topics throughout the year.

On the Hill: A Bicentennial History of Hamilton College, written by Publius Virgilius Rogers Professor of American History Maurice Isserman, received the 2012 Arline Custer Memorial Award for books from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC). The award was presented on Oct. 27 in Richmond, Va.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced the passage of a Senate resolution to commemorate Hamilton’s 200th Anniversary on June 6. Hamilton received its charter from the Regents of the University of the State of New York on May 26, 1812. Schumer and Gillibrand proposed the measure in the Senate last month to celebrate the college’s sustained commitment to its charter two centuries ago.

Following are capsule descriptions of a few that took place at the All-Alumni Bicentennial Reunion May 31-June 3.

More reunion memories were made on Friday, June 1, as events continued throughout the day and into the evening. Among highlights were Bicentennial Colleges with Edward "Ned" Walker ' 62,  Elaine Weiss K'73 and Robert Moses '56, a night of jazz, and fireworks over Royce Baseball Field.

Alumni began arriving from near and far on Thursday, May 31, to begin the Bicentennial Reunion weekend festivities. Thursday’s highlights included a tour, “The Legacy of Trees on the Hamilton Campus,” guided by Arboretum Director Terry Hawkridge  P’01, and “Giants in the Earth,” a talk and tour of Hamilton’s Cemetery, led by Hamilton Alumni Review Editor Emeritus Frank Lorenz.

The college’s bicentennial celebration continued on May 30, as employees were invited to enjoy three birthday cakes in honor of Hamilton’s 200th birthday. President Joan Hinde Stewart and Dean of Faculty Patrick Reynolds were on hand to celebrate with employees from all across campus.  IT's Maureen Scoones led the singing of “Happy Birthday” under the tent on Dunham Green.

Hamilton’s annual reunions take on special significance this year as the college celebrates its bicentennial with an All-Alumni Reunion, May 31-June 3. More than 2000 alumni and their guests are expected.  A special welcome is extended to members of the class of 1962 who are celebrating their 50th reunion. A full schedule of events will keep attendees busy all weekend.

On Wednesday, May 30, Robert Meelan, supervisor of the Town of Kirkland,  will present President Joan Hinde Stewart with a proclamation from the town in honor of the college’s 200th anniversary of the May 1812 signing of the charter by Regents of the University of the State of New York. The presentation will be made at the town meeting.