The corner of Wall and Broad Streets was the site of New York City's 18th century City Hall. It was the seat of New York's colonial government and the meeting place of the Stamp Act Congress which assembled in October, 1765, < alt="the original Federal Hall" align="left" hspace="4" width="244" height="277">to protest "taxation without representation". After the American Revolution, the Continental Congress met at City Hall, where the Northwest Ordinance establishing procedures for creating new states was adopted in 1787.

When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, the national capital remained in New York. Pierre L'Enfant was commissioned to remodel City Hall for the new federal government. The First Congress met in the new Federal Hall and George Washington was sworn in here as President on April 30, 1789. When the capital moved to Philadelphia in 1790, the building again became City Hall until it was replaced and demolished in 1812.

The current structure on the site was built as the Customs House in 1834-1842. In 1862, Customs moved to 55 Wall Street and the building became the U. S. Subtreasury. Millions of dollars of gold and silver were kept in the basement vaults until the Federal Reserve Bank replaced the Subtreasury system.

VISITATION:
Highest in July and August; lowest in January and February. In 1996-282,970 visitors.

LOCATION:
Wall and Broad Streets, New York City (Manhattan), NY

ADDRESS:
26 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005

TELEPHONE:
(212)825-6888

OPERATING HOURS:
9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Closed National Holidays. Open weekends and holidays in July and August.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summers hot and humid. Light clothing. Winters cold. Heavy outerwear required.

DIRECTIONS:
Parking in downtown Manhattan is extremely limited and extremely expensive. Driving is not recommended. Use of mass transit is preferable.

Transportation:
Seventh Avenue #2 and #3 subway trains stop at Wall and William Streets, one block east of Federal Hall; frequent service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lexington Avenue #4 and #5 subway trains stop at Wall Street and Broadway, one block west of Federal Hall; frequent service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. J M and Z subway trains stop at Wall and Broad Streets Monday through Friday. Frequent bus service is provided by route M-6 on Broadway, one block to the west, and by route M-15 on Water Street, three blocks to the east.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:
Admission to Federal Hall is free. All tours and programs are free.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
A museum is on site.

Trails/Roads:
None.

Programs/activities:
Ranger-led programs and tours are offered throughout the day. An orientation video program is presented throughout the day.

Lodging and camping facilities:
None in park. Abundant lodging facilities available throughout New York City and suburbs.

Food/supplies:
Food and beverages are not permitted inside Federal Hall. Abundant food and dining facilities available throughout the immediate neighborhood.

Other Concessions/NPS-managed visitor facilities and opportunities:
A small museum shop is operated at Federal Hall.

Accessibility:
Federal Hall is fully accessible. A wheelchair ramp is located at the 15 Pine Street entrance.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
View the introductory video program. Join a ranger for a program describing the historic events at this site. View the museum exhibits.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
School groups and tour groups desiring a guided tour should make advance reservations by contacting a ranger at (212)825-6888 at least one week in advance. Commercial filming and after hours use require a Special Use Permit issued in advance; for information call (212)825-6883.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Allow 10 minutes for the introductory video program. Ranger-led programs and tours last 20 to 30 minutes. Self-guided tours of the museum require 20 to 30 minutes.

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:Temporary art and other exhibitions are frequently scheduled. Call (212)825-6888 for exhibit information.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
New York Stock Exchange, Castle Clinton, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Museum of the American Indian, World Trade Center, South Street Seaport, World Trade Center.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write: Superintendent, Federal Hall National Memorial, 26 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005; call (212)825-6888.