Battery Park in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Federal Hall
The site of some of New York's greatest events during the eighteenth century, the original Federal Hall was this country's first Capitol under the Constitution. On April 30, 1789 George Washington was sworn in here as the first President of the United States and later that year the Congress adopted the Bill of Rights on this site. The monument also commemorates the imprisonment and trial of John Peter Zenger, a landmark case in freedom of speech and press, which took place on this site. In 1790 the Federal Government moved from Federal Hall to Philadelphia and finally in 1800 to Washington, D.C. The existing Greek Revival structure was built in 1842 as a United States Subtreasury.
The many historic events that took place at Federal Hall both before and after its role as the nation's Capitol are today depicted in various exhibits.
Located at the corner of Wall and Nassau Streets in lower Manhattan, Federal Hall National Memorial is within walking distance of Battery Park. The site is easily reached by many subway lines.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 30, 1789.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History of the Battery Wall (a few steps from this marker); Battery Wall Discovery (a few steps from this marker); Manning Castle Clinton’s 28 guns (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lives of Castle Clinton: (within shouting distance of this marker); Jenny Lind, 1850's version of Beatlemania (within shouting distance of this marker); Emma Lazarus (within shouting distance of this marker); National Park Service Sites (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant's Tomb (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Also see . . . Federal Hall National Memorial - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on April 7, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
