New York City’s Federal Hall was the first capitol building of The United States of America, and was the location of Washington’s inauguration as the first President of The United States and even the location were the U.S. Bill of Rights was introduced. Since the original building was demolished in the 1800s, there has since been a Federal Hall National Memorial built in its place, operated by National Park Services.

New York’s Federal Hall was also the location of the jailing, and trial of John Peter Zenger, who paved the way for Free Press within out government today. Zenger was acquitted of his accusation of libel, but the history doesn’t end there! In fact, this is also the location that hosted the Stamp Act Congress that protested “taxation without representation”. Federal Hall and New York City remained the country’s National capitol until it was moved in 1789 to Philadelphia, and the original Federal Hall was demolished.

Designated as a historical landmark in 1965, The Federal Hall National Memorial is one of the most influential areas to stop by and see in Manhattan. Located on Wall Street, the memorial serves as a great way for visitors to see the longevity of New York’s classical architecture, and an original piece that was so close to Ground Zero, about 5 blocks away, and not damaged at all.

Even though the memorial is open to the public, it’s hard to get to see everything in a short amount of time in a city so big, with other amazing structures and stories waiting to be seen and told. Your best way to condense your trip plans, as a brief traveler of Manhattan, New York, is to take a licensed tour guide around the city with you! The Tour Guide will know everything there is, and create a sense of being a local for you. Be sure to take notes, remember what your Guide tells you, and then return home and pass it off as your own! It’s what we’re here for.