Aaron Sandford | Courtesy
Vice President of the Kirby Center Matthew Spalding, Mark Levin, Julie Strauss, and Hillsdale President Larry Arnn with the first-edition copy of The Federalist Papers in the Lincoln Parlor of the Allan P. Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship in Washington, D.C.
One of only 500 first-edition copies of “The Federalist Papers” commissioned by Alexander Hamilton in 1787 is now on display at the Allan P. Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship in Washington, D.C.
Nationally-syndicated talk radio host Mark Levin presented the book at the Kirby Center on Nov. 16, and the center will display the book in the Lincoln Parlor for the next two years.
“‘The Federalist Papers’ represent a great source of the political thought of America’s founders and the best explanation and defense of the Constitution as understood by the founders themselves,” said Matthew Spalding, associate vice president and dean of educational programs at the Kirby Center.
“The Federalist Papers” are a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison published in newspapers between 1787 and 1788 to persuade voters in New York to adopt the U.S. Constitution.
“I invite everyone — especially members of Congress and their staff members who are only blocks away — to visit the Kirby Center and see this rare book as a prelude to learning more about American constitutionalism,” Spaulding said.
The exhibition of the rare book is open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
“Hillsdale College is a bright, shining beacon of hope for the salvation of America’s principles,” Levin said. “I can think of no better place than the Kirby Center to display this document for all to see. I’m thrilled to give this opportunity to the faculty, students, and visitors of the college’s D.C. campus.”
