Federal Hall National Memorial
Our nation's first Capitol—in the heart of the Financial District
This historic building in downtown Manhattan is the site where George Washington was inaugurated President in 1789 and the first United States Congress met. The current building on this site, completed in 1842 and modeled after the Parthenon, is a monument to democratic ideas. Exhibits inside tell the rich story of George Washington's New York and a Visitor's Center provides information about the places to visit and the National Parks of New York Harbor.
The ground where Federal Hall stands is rich in history. During the colonial period it was the location of the original City Hall. It was the site of the trial of printer John Peter Zenger, whose acquittal on the charge of libel was a precedent-setting case for freedom of the press. In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress met at Federal Hall to protest "taxation without representation." These historic events shaped the nation and are the foundation of the enduring freedoms our government still protects.
After the unrest of the Revolution passed, Federal Hall served as the first capital of the young nation. It was here that the Bill of Rights was passed. The building stands as a memorial to these events which were fundamental in the formation of the nation's democratic ideals.
From 1812 to 1920, the building served as a U.S. Customs House and then a U.S. Sub-Treasury building, housing gold and silver in its reinforced basement vaults. Located across from the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, in the heart of the current financial district, Federal Hall serves as a reminder of the formative days of the economic system in America.
Rebuilt in 1842, the current building is a beautiful example of Greek Revival style architecture. The rotunda is encircled by massive pillars and an ornate ceiling, a fittingly grand space when one considers the magnitude of the events which have taken place here.
Located in the Northwest Gallery of Federal Hall, the Visitor Center is part of the vibrant 1,500-square-foot exhibit Gateway to America - Discover New York Harbor, which tells the story of the harbor through the lens of U.S. history, immigration, commerce, defense and the environment. Open Monday through Friday, the Visitor Center is staffed by NYC & Company guides who will help you plan an exciting itinerary to National Parks and other sites of interest, downtown and in the harbor. Brochures describing most major attractions and maps of walking tours are also available.
National Park Service Ranger Cathy Folk-Pushee
