Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial, national memorial named in 1955, originally a national historic site designated in 1939. Located in New York City, Federal Hall was the first capitol of the United States and the location of many historic events. In the 17th century it became the location of the New York City Hall. In 1735 it was the site of the John Peter Zenger trial, a key court case in the history of the American free press. Zenger was acquitted of libel after printing articles critical of the colonial governor of New York. The Stamp Act Congress met at the hall in 1765 and the Second Continental Congress convened at the building in 1785. George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the United States at Federal Hall in 1789. The building was razed in 1812 and the U.S. Custom House was completed on the site in 1842. In 1862 the Greek Revival-style building became the U.S. Subtreasury building and was used for storing federal funds. The site includes a statue of George Washington by John Quincy Adams Ward done in 1883. Administered by the National Park Service. Area, .2 hectares (.5 acres).