Federal Hall National Monument

Federal Hall National Monument is a historic building at 26 Wall Street, New York City. It is the site of the first capitol of the United States built in the year 1700. It was there in 1735 that John Peter Zenger, the publisher of an American newspaper, was charged by the British Royal Governor, William Cosby, for libel. His acquittal, on the grounds that what he printed was true, contributed to the development of freedom of the press that was later defined in the Bill of Rights.

Federal Hall, New York City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Federal_Hall_front.jpg
Author: Hu Totya


It was also here in October 1765, that 9 of the 13 colonies drafted a message to King George III, the House of the Lords and the House of Commons, to seek equal entitlement as the residents of Britain.

The present structure, opened in 1842, housed the country's first Customs House. It was also used as one of the location for the United States Sub-Treasury and as the Federal Reserved Bank. In 1790, the capital of the United States moved from New York City to Philadelphia. Federal Hall was taken over by the New York City government. Unfortunately a fire broke out in 1812 and destroyed it.

The present Federal Hall building is an example of classical architecture in New York. On its front facade are Doric columns resembling those of the Parthenon, servers as a tribute to Greek democracy. The domed ceiling inside reflects those of the Pantheon, is a reminder of the economic might of the Romans. On its front steps is the bronze statue of George Washington, commemorating his inauguration as the US President, in the former structure.

Federal Hall was designated Federal Hall Memorial National Historic Site on 26 May, 1939, and redesignated a national memorial on 11 August, 1955.

Getting there

There are a number of trains that you can take include the 4 and 5 trains to the Wall Street Subway Station or the J or Z trains to the Broad Street Subway Station, and walk a short distance from there.

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