Federal Hall National Memorial
See the 1842 building and the site of Washington’s inauguration amid Wall Street.
Artwork inspired by Edward Hopper
George Washington took the presidential oath here in 1789, but the columned building you see today is not that original Federal Hall. It was completed in 1842 as a U.S. Custom House and later used as a Subtreasury. The National Park Service interprets the inauguration and early Congress inside. The Washington statue and Doric portico face Wall Street's crowded financial district.
Go inside through the visitor entrance on Pine Street; the familiar Wall Street steps are an exterior landmark, not the current entry route. A self-guided visit takes about half an hour; ranger programs take longer. Admission is free. If the interior is closed, the facade and statue are still visible from the street, but do not assume a tour is available every day.
- Original event
- 1789 presidential inauguration
- Current building
- 1842 Greek Revival Custom House
- Admission
- Free
Quick guide
- Enter on Pine Street
- The dramatic Wall Street steps are not the visitor entrance.
- Compare two eras
- The present Custom House postdates Washington's inauguration by decades.
Know before you go
- Read the timeline
- Separate the first Federal Hall from today's 1842 structure.
- Study the portico
- The Doric columns and Washington statue create the Wall Street landmark.
- Explore the exhibits
- Look for the first Congress and Bill of Rights stories.
- Ask about a talk
- Ranger-led programs offer more context when scheduled.
Good to know
NPS currently directs visitors to 15 Pine Street; use that entrance rather than trying the statue-side steps on Wall Street.
Notice these
- Washington statue
- Greek Revival portico
- Early federal history