Federal Hall National Memorial

The corner of Wall and Broad Streets was the site of New York City's 18th century City Hall. It was the seat of New York's colonial government and the meeting place of the Stamp Act Congress which assembled in October, 1765, to protest "taxation without representation". After the American Revolution, the Continental Congress met at City Hall, where the Northwest Ordinance establishing procedures for creating new states was adopted in 1787.

When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, the national capital remained in New York. Pierre L'Enfant was commissioned to remodel City Hall for the new federal government. The First Congress met in the new Federal Hall and George Washington was sworn in here as President on April 30, 1789. When the capital moved to Philadelphia in 1790, the building again became City Hall until it was replaced and demolished in 1812.

The current structure on the site was built as the Customs House in 1834-1842. In 1862, Customs moved to 55 Wall Street and the building became the U. S. Subtreasury. Millions of dollars of gold and silver were kept in the basement vaults until the Federal Reserve Bank replaced the Subtreasury system.

26 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
(212) 825-6888 - Visitor Information

By Car
Parking in downtown Manhattan is extremely limited and extremely expensive. Driving is not recommended. Use of mass transit is preferable.

By Plane
Seventh Avenue #2 and #3 subway trains stop at Wall and William Streets, one block east of Federal Hall; frequent service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lexington Avenue #4 and #5 subway trains stop at Wall Street and Broadway, one block west of Federal Hall; frequent service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. J M and Z subway trains stop at Wall and Broad Streets Monday through Friday. Frequent bus service is provided by route M-6 on Broadway, one block to the west, and by route M-15 on Water Street, three blocks to the east.

Summers hot and humid. Light clothing. Winters cold. Heavy outerwear required.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs

Recommended Activities
View the introductory video program. Join a ranger for a program describing the historic events at this site. View the museum exhibits.