Federal Hall, located at 26 Wall Street in New York City, was the first capital of the United States of America and was also the site of George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. The original building was demolished in the nineteenth century and replaced by the current structure built 1836-42, which served as the first United States Customs House. When Customs was moved in 1862 the building served as one of six United States Sub-Treasury locations. Millions of dollars of gold and silver were kept in the basement vaults until the Federal Reserve Bank replaced the Sub-Treasury system in 1920. The building was designated as Federal Hall Memorial National Historic Site on May 26, 1939, and redesignated a national memorial on August 11, 1955. The National Park Services operates Federal Hall as a museum and the site is open free to the public from 9-5 on weekdays
A majestic statue of George Washington by J.Q.A. Ward stands on the front steps.
A view of the New York Stock Exchange from the top steps of Federal Hall.
From 1785 to 1790, New York served as the first capital of the brand-new United States of America. It was in Federal Hall that Congress met for the first time, adopted the Bill of Rights, and created the Departments of State, War and Treasury, and the United States Supreme Court.
The building is a beautiful example of Greek Revival style architecture. The rotunda is encircled by massive pillars and an ornate ceiling, and railing on the second-floor terraces.
The main hall.
The rotunda
There are some wonderful exhibits inside of some historical documents from the National Archives and also some memorabilia from the early days of Federal Hall.
Above is an exhibit of memorabilia for the first United States Centennial in 1886.
The shoe buckles from the shoes George Washington wore on his inauguration day.
The most impressive sight of all -- the bible George Washington placed his hand when he took the oath as the United States of America's first president.
In honor of Veteran's Day, I leave you with this beautiful relief on the outside Federal Hall of George Washington kneeling in prayer. It is believed he often prayed for God's guidance for himself, and his troops, when he was General of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. As our finest veteran, he has served as an ideal example for all veterans of duty, honor, and service to our country.
George Washington’s Prayer
"Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou will wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to the government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large; and finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Devine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. "
~A Saint Paul’s Chapel Marker Presented by the Women’s Committee of the George Washington-Bulgrave Institution, February 22, 1926.
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