HAMILTON-After 213 years, Alexander Hamilton will finally have a prominent place in his namesake town.

A bronze statue of him, by metal sculptor Kristen Visbal of Lewes, Del., will be erected next year.The piece is another victory for the region's sculpture enthusiasts and people who enjoy the area's history and heritage.

The City of Sculpture Committee and Historic Hamilton have teamed to organize the $165,000 project, which will be financed through donations from individuals. If every citizen in town could donate a little less than $3, sculpture leaders say, the project would more than pay for itself.

Hamilton's statue will face east on High Street in the historic downtown. The sculpture will be a good companion to the city's Billy Yank, which sits atop the Soldiers, Sailors and Pioneers Monument.

Visbal said her statue, named The American Cape, will stand about 11 feet, 5 inches and represent Alexander Hamilton as an orator. His right arm will be raised to make a point, and his billowing cape will turn into an American flag.

The city's original Fort Hamilton, built in 1791, was named in honor of the Revolutionary War hero and America's first Secretary of the Treasury. He died from wounds suffered in a duel with Aaron Burr on July 12, 1804.

Visbal said she is preparing to install the statue next spring.

If you would like to donate to the Alexander Hamilton statue fund, send a check or money order to the City of Sculpture, P.O. Box 545, Hamilton OH 45012.

Information: www.cityofsculpture.org.