Federal Hall

Following an extensive renovation, Federal Hall, which contains a museum dedicated to postcolonial New York, features exhibits on George Washington’s inauguration, Alexander Hamilton’s close relationship with New York City, and a visitor information hall where you can pick up information about 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, this Greek Revival building gradually rose in its place between 1834 and 1842. Considered to be one of the country’s premier examples of classical architecture, it served as the US Customs House until 1862. It’s also played a significant role in establishing freedom of the press, as it’s where John Peter Zenger was jailed, tried and acquitted of libel for exposing government corruption in his newspaper, a history lesson that is still poignant today.