A Greek Revival masterpiece, Federal Hall houses a museum dedicated to postcolonial New York. Exhibition themes include George Washington’s inauguration, Alexander Hamilton’s relationship with the city, and the struggles of John Peter Zenger – jailed, tried and acquitted of libel here for exposing government corruption in his newspaper. There's also a visitor information hall which covers downtown cultural happenings.

The building itself, distinguished by a huge statue of George Washington, stands on the site of New York’s original City Hall, where the first US Congress convened and Washington took the oath of office as the first US president on April 30, 1789. After that structure’s demolition in the early 19th century, the current building rose in its place between 1834 and 1842, serving as the US Customs House until 1862.