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The original Federal Hall was the birthplace of North American government. Built in 1700 as New York’s City Hall, it later served as the first capitol building of the USA under the constitution. It was also the site of George Washington’s inauguration as the first president in 1789, and where the US Bill of Rights was introduced in the first congress. Although the original building was demolished in 1812, this memorial was built on the same site on Wall Street just thirty years later.
The memorial is marked by a giant statue of George Washington himself, and the sense of history about the place is palpable. Guided tours of the building are offered throughout the day and its exhibits include George Washington’s Inauguration Gallery, along with the bible he used and the very slab of stone he stood on while taking his oath, and an exhibition on the struggles of John Peter Zenger, who was jailed, tried and acquitted of libel for exposing government corruption in his newspaper.
Even today the building’s symbolic significance remains strong: on September 6th, 2002, roughly 300 members of the US Congress convened there in a show of support for the city, which was still recovering from the trauma of 9/11. Just four blocks away from the World Trade Centre site, this was the first meeting of Congress in New York since 1790.
A Tale of Two Cities
The classical architecture of the Federal Hall National Memorial reflects two North American ideals. The Doric columns of the facade were inspired by those of the Parthenon in Athens and acknowledge Greece, the birthplace of democracy. Inside, the domed ceiling resembles that of Rome’s Pantheon and evokes the republican ideals of the Roman empire. Together, they represent the form of government the USA aspires to.
Please note that tour guides are not allowed to guide inside the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Your guide will give you full information on each island and then silently accompany you through the museums. He/she will be able to answer questions you may have but not actually “guide” you through the museums.
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