Beyond the Musical.

• Position: USA YESTERDAY - "Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation", National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

The exhibition "Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation" explores Alexander Hamilton's fraught relationships with James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Aaron Burr. Examining the personalities and constitutional debates that shaped America--including the scope of the national government, the establishment of a standing army, the creation of a Federal banking system, and more--the exhibit provides an intimate look into Hamilton's enduring role in the constitutional and political arguments that continue to create sparks to this day.

"All of American history can be viewed through the lens of the constitutional clashes between Alexander Hamilton and his founding-era rivals," says Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.

The exhibit narrative begins in 1789 when the national government began operating under the new U.S. Constitution. In each section, visitors are introduced to one of Hamilton's rivals and their competing visions for the nation. This includes Hamilton's public dispute with Madison over the scope of national power; arguments with Jefferson that developed into the nation's first political parties; disputes with Adams over foreign policy; and a final clash with Burr, whom Hamilton believed was an unprincipled man. Additionally, the exhibition examines Hamilton's personal struggles, which revolved around his keen sense of honor, and concludes with an exploration of his legacy.

In each exhibit case, rare documents and artifacts explore these competing arguments and reveal the fragility of the new nation. Artifact...