The original building, completed in 1703 as New York’s second City Hall, became a meeting place for colonial delegates before the Revolutionary War, and later for representatives of the nascent American government in the First United States Congress. Federal Hall became the first Capitol of the United States in 1789 when the Constitution came into force. Under the first Congress, Federal Hall was the site of Washington’s Inauguration and the proposal of the Constitutional amendments that today make up the Bill of Rights.

After Congress moved to Philadelphia in 1790, New York’s city government operations returned to Federal Hall until a new City Hall building was completed in 1812. The building was unceremoniously razed thereafter.

To replace it, the current temple-front Greek Revival marble structure was designed by Ithiel Town and Alexander Jackson Davis along with a rotunda by sculptor John Frazee. It was the first purpose-built custom house in the United States and its design evokes Greek Democratic themes.

The statue of Washington that dominates most photos of Federal Hall was actually a late addition- not put in place until 1882.

In 1862, custom offices were consolidated and the building became a sub-treasury, holding millions of dollars in gold and silver bullion. As such, it was heavily fortified and well defended to protect its precious stores.

However, this heavy police presence didn't prevent calamity as the Wall Street bombing of 1920 happened at its door. Despite the explosion and ensuing chaos, Federal Hall remained unharmed.

It wasn't until 1939 that the building was designated the Federal Hall National Memorial and not until 1955 that it became a national memorial. Now overseen by the Parks service, it is on the National Register of Historic Places as well as a designated landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

On September 6th, 2002, the Federal Hall took on its old role as 300 members of the United States Congress met as a show of support for the city still recovering for 9/11.