This paper examines the Federal Hall National Memorial at 26 Wall Street in New York City, tracing its history from the original colonial-era City Hall through its demolition in 1812 and the construction of the current Greek Revival building opened in 1842. The paper discusses the building's constitutional and political significance as the site of George Washington's first inauguration and the ratification of the Bill of Rights, the architectural contributions of designers Alexander Jackson Davis, Ithiel Town, and John Frazee, ongoing restoration efforts, and recent artistic programming including a loan exhibition from Florence's Uffizi Gallery.
Before the construction of the classic columned building by Town & Davis, New York City Hall was located at 26 Wall Street. That structure later became known as Federal Hall. The Bill of Rights was ratified by the Congress of America in this building, and the first presidential oath was taken by George Washington here as well. Although Federal Hall was demolished in 1812, the stone slab upon which Washington stood is still preserved in the rotunda of the present building. A statue of Washington stands outside. Today, 26 Wall Street is maintained as the Federal Hall Museum and Memorial by the United States Department of the Interior and the National Park Service as a symbol of honor to America's first President and to the founding of the United States (Craven).
The current building was constructed as a custom house in 1842 and displays Greek Revival architecture in remarkable detail. The Independent Treasury System was initiated here in 1862, and in 1913 the Federal Reserve System was established here as well. The structure was declared a National Historic Shrine by the Secretary of the Interior in 1939. In order to honor the original edifice, Congress renamed the building the Federal Hall National Memorial in 1955 (New York Architecture).
Temporary exhibitions are arranged in the galleries on the second floor, catering to visitors of all age groups. Guided tours of the building are also offered. Museum shows organized in partnership with other institutions include a children's exchange art show between New York City and Tokyo, a Smithsonian exhibition depicting everyday life in Colonial America, and a pictorial display of the city's boroughs (New York Architecture).
Federal Hall is a building of over 160 years standing, located at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets, and it has been undergoing a program of regeneration. The previous summer, a corner of the building that had been dangerously undermined was shored up. Plans for the following year included shoring up a portion of the east wall along with two additional corners of the building. Stabilization and patching of structural cracks were also scheduled. In addition to these renovation works, plans were made for the installation of air-conditioning and a new heating and ventilation system (New York Architecture).
After the American Revolution, the building was enlarged and remodeled under directions given by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who was later tasked by President Washington with designing the capital city on the Potomac. The building is recognized in the United States as the first example of Federal Style architecture. Under the Constitution of 1789, it became the very first Capitol of the United States, which is how it came to be known as Federal Hall. However, counting from the period of independence under the Articles of Confederation, Federal Hall is considered the second Capitol of the U.S., with the Maryland State House being the first. On March 4, 1789, the first U.S. Congress convened there to form the new federal government; its very first act was to count the electoral votes that made George Washington the first President of the United States. Washington's inauguration took place in front of Federal Hall on April 30, 1789 (New York Architecture).
The old New York City Hall, which had come to be called Federal Hall, was torn down in 1812, and the total value of its scrap material was $400. The balcony floor where Washington's inauguration took place, along with a portion of the original railing, are displayed in the present monument (New York Architecture).
In 1790, the U.S. capital was shifted to Philadelphia, and Federal Hall once again housed New York's government until the building was razed in 1812. The current structure was originally constructed as the first Custom House and opened in 1842. It later became one of six U.S. Sub-Treasury locations and served as a Federal Bank.
The architecture of the building reflects two celebrated American ideals. The domed ceiling inside the building evokes the economic power of Rome and the Pantheon and was created by John Frazee, while the Doric columns of the facade resemble those of the Parthenon, paying tribute to Greek democracy. These columns were designed by Alexander Jackson Davis and Ithiel Town.
Among the landmarks of downtown Manhattan, the current structure is often overshadowed by the New York Stock Exchange, situated diagonally across Wall and Nassau Streets. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most significant sites in American history, particularly with regard to the foundations of the U.S. government and its democratic institutions. The building is especially well known for the bronze statue of George Washington on its front steps, which marks the location where, in the previous structure, his inauguration as President took place.
"Biography and legacy of the building's architect"
"Greek Revival design features and construction details"
"Recent cultural programming and Uffizi Gallery loan"
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