The original building on this site housed the trial of John Peter Zenger, a landmark case for freedom of the press.
The Stamp Act Congress met here in 1765 to protest British taxation, marking an early step toward American independence.
The current building's design was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.
The Bible used during George Washington's 1789 inauguration is preserved and occasionally displayed by St. John's Lodge No. 1.
A section of the original iron railing from the balcony where Washington took his oath remains on display.
The floor of the rotunda features a circular pattern marking the location of the inaugural ceremonies.
The building's granite was sourced from the same quarries used for the construction of the U.S. Capitol.
The structure functioned as a sub-treasury vault for federal gold and silver reserves in the mid-19th century.
Federal Hall National Memorial stands on the site of the original 1700 New York City Hall, where the first U.S. Congress met. It is the location where George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States in 1789. The building served as the first U.S. Capitol until the seat of government moved to Philadelphia in 1790. The current structure, completed in 1842, was originally built as a U.S. Custom House. It features a Greek Revival architectural style with a rotunda and massive Doric columns. The site houses exhibits on the Bill of Rights and the creation of the federal government. A large bronze statue of George Washington marks the steps where he was inaugurated. The memorial is managed by the National Park Service as a historic site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
From the base of the George Washington statue looking upward toward the columns.
Check the National Park Service website for the daily schedule of guided ranger-led tours.
Visit the small museum shop located inside for unique historical books and replicas.
Allow extra time for security screening at the entrance.
Do not mistake the building for a functional financial institution; it is exclusively a museum and memorial site.
Closed on weekends; periodically closed for federal holidays.
Maintain a quiet, respectful tone inside the rotunda; no food or drink allowed; photography is generally permitted without flash.
