Editing Federal Hall

{{Short description|Memorial in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Federal Hall National Memorial
| nrhp_type = nmem
| image = Federal Hall (48126566178).jpg
| image_size               = 300px
| caption = View of Federal Hall in 2019
| location = 26 [[Wall Street]]<br/>[[Manhattan]], New York, U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|40|42|26|N|74|0|37|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
| district_map = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|zoom=14|type=shape|stroke-color=#f44|id=Q858689|frame-coordinates={{coord|40|42|26|N|74|0|37|W}}|marker=|title=Federal Hall}}
| map_caption = Location of Federal Hall in New York City
| area = {{convert|0.45|acre|ha}}
| architect = Town and Davis; [[John Frazee (sculptor, born 1790)|John Frazee (Interior Rotunda)]]
| architecture = [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival]]
| built = May 26, 1842
| refnum = 66000095<ref name=nris>{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
| added = October 15, 1966<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|title=Federal Hall National Memorial|url=http://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp/AssetDetail?assetID=b12babb8-782d-469d-8b57-c64e0bbb1c51|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=June 25, 2016|archive-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827231643/http://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp/AssetDetail?assetID=b12babb8-782d-469d-8b57-c64e0bbb1c51|url-status=live}}</ref>
| designated_nrhp_type = August 11, 1955
| visitation_num = 156,707
| visitation_year = 2004
| website = [https://www.nps.gov/feha/ Federal Hall National Memorial]
| nrhp_type2               = indcp
| partof                   = [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]]
| partof_refnum            = 07000063<ref name="Howe">{{cite web |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75320043 <!-- Very large file; 218 MB -->|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Wall Street Historic District |last1=Howe |first1=Kathy |last2=Robins |first2=Anthony |date=August 3, 2006 |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]] |access-date=July 7, 2024|via=[[National Archives (United States)|National Archives]]}}</ref>
| designated_nrhp_type2    = February 20, 2007
| nocat                    = yes
| designated_other1      = New York State Register of Historic Places
| designated_other1_date = June 23, 1980<ref name="Cultural Resource Information System">{{cite web | title=Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS) | publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]] | date=November 7, 2014 | url=https://cris.parks.ny.gov/ | access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>
| designated_other1_abbr = NYSRHP
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
| designated_other1_number = 06101.000085
| designated_other2        = New York City Landmark
| designated_other2_date = December 21, 1965 (exterior)<ref name="NYCL-0047"/><br />May 27, 1975 (interior)<ref name="NYCL p. 1"/>
| designated_other2_number = 0047, 0887
| designated_other2_abbr = NYCL
}}

'''Federal Hall''' was the first capitol building of the United States under the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]]. Serving as the meeting place of the [[First United States Congress]] and the site of [[George Washington]]'s first [[First inauguration of George Washington|presidential inauguration]], the building existed at the intersection of [[Wall Street|Wall]] and [[Broad Street (Manhattan)|Broad]] streets in [[Lower Manhattan]], New York City, from 1703 to 1812. The site, at 26 Wall Street in what is now the [[Financial District, Manhattan|Financial District]] of [[Manhattan]], is occupied by '''Federal Hall National Memorial''', a [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival]]–style building completed in 1842 as the [[New York Custom House|Custom House]]. The [[National Park Service]] operates the current building as a [[National memorial (United States)|national memorial]] commemorating the historic events that occurred at the previous structure.

The 1703 [[Federal architecture|Federal style]] building served as New York's City Hall and hosted the 1765 [[Stamp Act Congress]] before the [[American Revolution]]. After the United States became an independent nation, it served as the meeting place for the [[Congress of the Confederation]], the nation's first central government under the [[Articles of Confederation]], from 1785 to 1789, and the building was expanded and updated. With the establishment of the [[United States federal government]] in 1789, it hosted the 1st Congress and the inauguration of George Washington as the nation's first [[President of the United States|president]]. It was demolished in 1812.

The current structure, designed by [[Ithiel Town]] and [[Alexander Jackson Davis]], was built as New York's [[United States Custom House (New York City)|U.S. Custom House]] before serving as a [[United States Treasury Department|Subtreasury]] building from 1862 to 1925. The memorial is constructed of [[Tuckahoe marble]]. Its architectural features include a [[colonnade]] of [[Doric order|Doric]] columns, as well as a domed rotunda designed by the sculptor [[John Frazee (sculptor, born 1790)|John Frazee]]. The facade and part of the interior are [[New York City designated landmark]]s, and the building is also a contributing property to the [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]], listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

== First structure ==

In the 17th century, the area north of Wall Street was occupied by John Damen's farm. Damen sold the land in 1685 to captain John Knight, an officer of [[Thomas Dongan, 2nd Earl of Limerick|Thomas Dongan]]'s administration. Knight resold the land to Dongan, and Dongan resold it in 1689 to [[Abraham de Peyster]] and Nicholas Bayard. Both de Peyster and Bayard served as [[List of mayors of New York City|Mayors of New York]].<ref name="nyt19100410">{{cite news|date=April 10, 1910|title=New Bankers' Trust Company Tower Sets Building and Realty Records|work=The New York Times|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/04/10/102037556.pdf|access-date=April 21, 2020|issn=0362-4331|ref={{harvid|''The New York Times'' April 10, 1910}}|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328223039/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/04/10/102037556.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===City Hall===
[[File:The magazine of American history with notes and queries (1877) (14779713662) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Old City Hall with court and jail|left]]
The original structure on the site was built as New York's second City Hall from 1699 to 1703, on [[Wall Street]], in what is today the [[Financial District, Manhattan|Financial District]] of [[Lower Manhattan]].<ref name="Federal Hall National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) 2015">{{cite web|date=May 30, 2015|title=History & Culture|url=https://www.nps.gov/feha/learn/hc.htm|access-date=February 5, 2021|website=Federal Hall National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710112803/https://www.nps.gov/feha/learn/hc.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Kobbe p. 100">{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|p=100}}</ref> This structure had been designed by [[James Evetts]] to replace [[Stadt Huys Site|Stadt Huys]], the city's first administrative center.<ref name="Reynolds p. 48">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=48}}</ref> It measured two stories high, with wings extending west and east.<ref name="p1114744928">{{cite news |date=August 28, 1932 |title=Sub-Treasury Site Is Sought For Postoffice: J.J. Kiely, Postmaster Here, Suggests Building Copying Design of Federal Hall |page=A1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1114744928}}}}</ref> The stones from Wall Street's old fortifications were used for City Hall.<ref name="Kobbe p. 100" /> Also housed at City Hall was a public library (which had 1,642 volumes by the year 1730), as well as a firehouse with two fire engines imported from London.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20">{{Cite news |last=Bent |first=Silas |date=July 20, 1924 |title=Landmark of Wall Street History May Be Razed; Subtreasury Building's End as Home of Money – Exciting Scenes of Which It Was a Centre Are Recalled |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/07/20/archives/landmark-of-wall-street-history-may-be-razed-subtreasury-buildings.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504162448/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/07/20/archives/landmark-of-wall-street-history-may-be-razed-subtreasury-buildings.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The upper stories were used as a [[debtors' prison]].<ref name="p1114744928" />

In 1735, [[John Peter Zenger]], an American newspaper publisher, was arrested for committing libel against the British royal governor and was imprisoned and tried there.<ref name="Kobbe p. 100" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 48" /> His acquittal on the grounds that the material he had printed was true established [[freedom of the press]] as it was later defined in the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]].<ref name="Kobbe p. 100" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/feha/historyculture/the-trial-of-john-peter-zenger.htm|title=The Trial of John Peter Zenger|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=June 7, 2012|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714223957/http://www.nps.gov/feha/historyculture/the-trial-of-john-peter-zenger.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

City Hall was first remodeled in 1765, when a third story was added.<ref name="p1114744928" /> That October, delegates from nine of the [[Thirteen Colonies]] met as the [[Stamp Act Congress]] in response to the levying of the [[Stamp Act 1765|Stamp Act]] by the [[Parliament of Great Britain]]. Drawn together for the first time in organized opposition to British policy, the attendees drafted a message to [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]], the [[House of Lords]], and the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]], claiming entitlement to the same rights as the residents of Britain and protesting the colonies' "[[taxation without representation]]".<ref name="Kobbe p. 100" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 48" /> The [[Sons of Liberty]] took over the building from the British during the [[American Revolutionary War]] in 1775. Afterward, City Hall served as the meeting place for the [[Continental Congress]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 48" />

===Federal Hall===
[[File:Federal Hall, N.Y. 1789 ppmsca.15703.jpg|thumb|right|''Federal Hall, Seat of Congress'', 1790 hand-colored engraving by [[Amos Doolittle]], depicting [[First inauguration of George Washington|Washington's April 30, 1789, inauguration]]]]
After the [[American Revolution]], City Hall was home to the [[Congress of the Confederation]] of the United States under the [[Articles of Confederation]].<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20" /><ref name="Magazine 2020 p. 48">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mwjODwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48 |title=The Encyclopedia of New York |publisher=Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-5011-6696-9 |page=48 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503191243/https://books.google.com/books?id=mwjODwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first meeting of the Confederation Congress took place at City Hall on April 13, 1784.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20" />

==== Design and construction ====
The Congress of the Confederation still needed a permanent structure, and the New York City Council and mayor [[James Duane]] wished for the city to be the United States capital. Private citizens and the government of New York City contributed $65,000 toward the renovation of the old City Hall.<ref name="History in the House 1985 p. 19">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EI9NAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP19 |title=History in the House |publisher=Office for the Bicentennial |year=1985 |pages=19–20 |issue=v. 1 |access-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503191244/https://books.google.com/books?id=EI9NAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP19 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriots]] felt that the building should be remodeled in a distinctively American architectural style while also preserving the pre-colonial structure.<ref name="Reynolds p. 48" /> [[Pierre Charles L'Enfant]], a French architect who had helped the Americans during the Revolutionary War, was selected to remodel the structure.<ref name="Reynolds p. 48" /><ref name="History in the House 1985 p. 19" />

L'Enfant's expansion was characteristic of [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]]-style designs, although he used larger proportions, and added American motifs.<ref name="Reynolds p. 51">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=51}}</ref> An arched promenade was built through the street-level basement, with four heavy Tuscan columns supporting a balcony. On balcony level, four high Doric columns were installed, supporting a pediment that depicted an American eagle with thirteen arrows (one for each of the original [[Thirteen Colonies]]).<ref name="History in the House 1985 p. 19" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 51" /><ref name="Kobbe p. 101">{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|p=101}}</ref> L'Enfant also created a recessed [[Long gallery|gallery]] behind the columns, and he placed decorative [[Festoon|swags]] above the second-story windows.<ref name="Reynolds p. 51" /> The ground-story room for the [[United States House of Representatives]] measured {{convert|60|by|60|ft}} across and about two stories high. A smaller room for the [[United States Senate]] was on the second floor.<ref name="History in the House 1985 p. 19" /> L'Enfant's design influenced the development of what later became the [[Federal architecture|Federal style]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 52">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=52}}</ref>

==== Usage ====
[[File:Archibald Robertson - View up Wall Street.jpg|thumb|Archibald Robertson's ''View up Wall Street'' with City Hall (Federal Hall) and [[Trinity Church (Manhattan)|Trinity Church]], New York City, from around 1798|alt=|right]]
The city moved all of its municipal offices out of the building in late 1788, but the [[New York Society Library]]'s 3,500-volume library remained in the building for the time being. Work progressed quickly between September 1788 and March 1789.<ref name="History in the House 1985 p. 19" /> The building was renamed Federal Hall in 1789 when New York was chosen as the nation's first [[seat of government]] under the [[United States Constitution|Constitution]]. The [[1st United States Congress|1st Congress]] met there beginning on March 4, 1789.<ref name="Smith 1889 p. 48">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=T.E.V.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Qn0aC9ZiI4C&pg=PA48|title=The City of New York in the Year of Washington's Inauguration, 1789|publisher=A. D. F. Randolph|year=1889|page=48|access-date=May 2, 2022|archive-date=May 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502022609/https://books.google.com/books?id=6Qn0aC9ZiI4C&pg=PA48%C2%A0|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[first inauguration of George Washington]], the first-ever inauguration of a [[President of the United States]], occurred on the balcony of the building on April 30, 1789.<ref name="George Washington the President: 1789-1797 1931 p. 9">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HTHfqh2jRQYC&pg=PA9|title=George Washington the President: 1789–1797|publisher=United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission|year=1931|page=9|issue=т. 627, № 14|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=April 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430114124/https://books.google.com/books?id=HTHfqh2jRQYC&pg=PA9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="United States. Congress 1964 p. 21451">{{cite book|author=United States. Congress|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VPgRPTKrOlwC&pg=PA21451|title=Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1964|page=21451|issue=т. 110, ч. 16|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=May 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502022609/https://books.google.com/books?id=VPgRPTKrOlwC&pg=PA21451|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|pp=101, 103}}</ref> Many of the most important legislative actions in the United States occurred with the 1st Congress at Federal Hall. For example, on September 25, 1789, the [[United States Bill of Rights]] was proposed in Federal Hall, establishing the freedoms claimed by the 1765 Stamp Act Congress.<ref name="United States. Congress 1964 p. 21451" /><ref name="Schwartz 1980 p.">{{cite book|last=Schwartz|first=Bernard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JT4oAQAAMAAJ|title=Roots of the Bill of Rights|publisher=Chelsea House|year=1980|isbn=978-0-87754-207-0|page=894|issue=т. 4|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=May 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502022609/https://books.google.com/books?id=JT4oAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Judiciary Act of 1789]] was also enacted in the building, setting up the [[United States federal court system]].<ref name="United States. Congress 1964 p. 21451" />

In 1790, the United States capital moved to [[Philadelphia]].<ref name="ABA Journal p. 469">{{cite book |last=Seymour | first=Whitney North Jr. |title=ABA Journal |date=May 1964 |publisher=American Bar Association |isbn= |location= |page=469 |chapter=Dedication of the Bill of Rights Memorial |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pvh0Yfu3fh0C&pg=PA469 |access-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502022610/https://books.google.com/books?id=pvh0Yfu3fh0C&pg=PA469%C2%A0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 53">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=53}}</ref> What had been Federal Hall was turned into quarters for the state assembly and courts.<ref>{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|pp=103–104}}</ref> The Federal Hall building was one of the few structures in the area to survive an 1804 fire that caused $2 million in damage (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=2|start_year=1804|fmt=c}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20" /> With the opening of the current [[New York City Hall]] in 1812, the New York City government no longer needed Federal Hall, and the building was demolished.<ref name="Reynolds p. 53" /><ref name="CNN">{{cite web|date=September 5, 2002|title=Inside Politics: Symbolic Site for Congress to Meet|url=http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/09/05/federal.hall/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120042511/http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/09/05/federal.hall/index.html|archive-date=November 20, 2017|access-date=August 27, 2019|website=cnn.com}}</ref><ref name="Carmody 1972">{{Cite news|last=Carmody|first=Deirdre|date=October 21, 1972|title=Federal Hall Memorial Is Reopened as Museum|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/10/21/archives/federal-hall-memorial-is-reopened-as-museum.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430114120/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/10/21/archives/federal-hall-memorial-is-reopened-as-museum.html}}</ref> Part of the original railing and balcony floor, where Washington had been inaugurated, is on display in the memorial<ref>{{cite web|title=Inaugural Balcony|url=http://www.nps.gov/feha/historyculture/inaugural-balcony.htm|publisher=[[National Park Service]]|access-date=June 7, 2012|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714224009/http://www.nps.gov/feha/historyculture/inaugural-balcony.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and was at one point held by the [[New-York Historical Society]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 20, 1938 |title=Relic of 1789 Used in Honoring Skill; Federal Hall Railing From the First Inaugural Is Background for Building Awards |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/04/20/archives/relic-of-1789-used-in-honoring-skill-federal-hall-railing-from-the.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503195536/https://www.nytimes.com/1938/04/20/archives/relic-of-1789-used-in-honoring-skill-federal-hall-railing-from-the.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Nassau Street had originally curved around the building to the west, while Broad Street had run to the east.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20" /><ref name="p129487975">{{cite news |date=September 28, 1914 |title=New York Real Estate in the Financial District: History of the "Streete That Runs by the Pye-woman's" and of the Jog Around Federal Hall |page=8 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|129487975}}}}</ref> Nassau Street was straightened after the building was demolished, and it runs to the west of the modern Federal Hall National Memorial.<ref name="nyt19100410" />

==Second structure==
The current [[Greek Revival architecture|Greek Revival]] structure was the first building that was specifically constructed for the [[United States Custom House (New York City)|U.S. Custom House for the Port of New York]].<ref name="Federal Hall -- U.S. Custom House">{{Cite web |title=Federal Hall – U.S. Custom House |url=http://federalhall.org/federal-hall/custom-house/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628184250/http://federalhall.org/federal-hall/custom-house/ |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |access-date=October 25, 2016 |website=Federal Hall}}</ref> The Custom House previously had been located in [[Government House (New York City)|Government House]], a converted residence on [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]].<ref name="ML p. 39">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|p=39}}</ref><ref name="Lee p. 18" /> The old building was described as "ordinary and inconvenient", and it had become overcrowded, prompting the federal government to lease additional space in 1831.<ref name="Lee p. 18" /> [[Samuel Swartwout]], the Customs Collector for the Port of New York, advocated in 1832 for "spacious, safe, secure" accommodations.<ref name="Lee p. 18">{{harvnb|ps=.|Lee|2000|p=18}}</ref> Land for the new building had been purchased incrementally in 1816, 1824, and 1832.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-11">{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1924 |title=Move Made to Save Old Sub-treasury; Financiers in Wall St. District Do Not Want Building to Pass to Private Concern. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/07/11/archives/move-made-to-save-old-subtreasury-financiers-in-wall-st-district-do.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504162449/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/07/11/archives/move-made-to-save-old-subtreasury-financiers-in-wall-st-district-do.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Custom House ===
[[File:A picture of New York in 1850 - with a short account of places in its vicinity - designed as a guide to citizens and strangers; with numerous engravings, and a map of the city (1846) (14780910134) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Custom House in 1850]]

The firm of [[Town and Davis]], composed of [[Ithiel Town]] and [[Alexander Jackson Davis]], won an [[architectural design competition]] for the new Custom House building and was awarded the contract for the building's design in August 1833.<ref name="NYCL p. 1">{{harvnb|ps=.|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=1}}</ref><ref name="Lee p. 18"/> Town estimated that the plans would cost $250,000 if the Custom House building was made of granite, or $320,000 to $350,000 if it was of masonry, brick, and marble.<ref name="Lee p. 18"/> The original design called for a [[colonnade]] of eight columns facing Wall and Pine Streets, square [[pilasters]] on Nassau Street, a massive [[coffer]]ed dome protruding above the roof, and a cruciform floor plan.<ref name="NYCL pp. 1-2">{{harvnb|ps=.|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|pp=1–2}}</ref><ref name="ML p. 40">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|p=40}}</ref> The building would have also been decorated with details such as [[Acroterion|acroteria]], [[metope]]s, and triangular [[pediment]]s.<ref name="ML p. 40" /> Town suggested that Samuel Thomson, architect of the Administration Building at [[Sailors' Snug Harbor]], be named the construction superintendent.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="Lee p. 19" /><ref name="ML p. 41">{{harvnb|Macaulay-Lewis|2021|ps=.|p=41}}</ref>

Work on the Custom House began in January 1834, but the Customs Service then requested that the plans for the new building be downsized due to increasing costs. As a result, the dome was reduced in size and the original double colonnade on the facade was changed to a single colonnade.<ref name="ML p. 41" /> Thomson resigned in April 1835, taking the plans with him. Sculptor [[John Frazee (sculptor, born 1790)|John Frazee]] was named the superintendent in Thomson's stead; he worked to piece together Town and Davis's original plans.<ref name="NYCL p. 2">{{harvnb|ps=.|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|p=2}}</ref><ref name="Lee p. 19">{{harvnb|ps=.|Lee|2000|p=19}}</ref><ref name="ML p. 41" /> Frazee influenced the design of the interior and decorative details, and he modified plans for the attic to a full-height third story.<ref name="ML p. 41" /> Frazee got into a dispute with building commissioner [[Walter Bowne]] and was dismissed in 1840, although he was rehired in 1841.<ref name="Lee p. 19" />

The Custom House building opened in 1842<ref name="Lee p. 19" /><ref name="ML p. 41" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 80">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=80}}</ref> at a cost of $928,312 (equivalent to ${{inflation|index=US-GDP|value=0.928312|fmt=c|start_year=1842|r=-1}} million in {{inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref name="Lee p. 19" /> Importers would perform their business at a counter in the building's central rotunda.<ref name="nyt20060924">{{Cite news|last=Gray|first=Christopher|date=September 24, 2006|title=A Landmark Will Reveal Its Treasures Once More|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/realestate/24scap.html|access-date=February 10, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041840/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/realestate/24scap.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The building came to be associated with [[political patronage]]. "The Seven Stages of the Office Seeker", an 1852 print by [[Edward Williams Clay]], satirized how [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] patronage under New York governor [[Martin Van Buren]] was centered around the Custom House.<ref name="nyt20060924" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=1852|title=The seven stages of the office seeker|url=https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004665351/|access-date=February 10, 2021|publisher=Library of Congress|language=en|archive-date=November 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121025229/https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004665351/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1861, the structure had become too small to accommodate all of the [[customs]] duties of the U.S. Custom House for the Port of New York.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 27, 1862|title=The New Custom-house; Delay in the Preparations for Removal from the present Custom-house|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1862/04/27/archives/the-new-customhouse-delay-in-the-preparations-for-removal-from-the.html|access-date=May 19, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721024359/https://www.nytimes.com/1862/04/27/archives/the-new-customhouse-delay-in-the-preparations-for-removal-from-the.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. government decided to move the customs offices one block to [[55 Wall Street]], then occupied by the Merchants' Exchange.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=January 9, 1979|title=United States Custom House Interior|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1022.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214050246/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1022.pdf|archive-date=February 14, 2021|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|page=2}}</ref> The [[federal government of the United States]] signed a lease with the Merchants' Exchange in February 1862, intending to move into the building that May.<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 8, 1862|title=The New Custom-house Building.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1862/02/08/archives/the-new-customhouse-building.html|access-date=May 19, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404231200/https://www.nytimes.com/1862/02/08/archives/the-new-customhouse-building.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The customs offices were moved to 55 Wall Street starting in August 1862.<ref name="Stokes p. 1901"/>

=== Subtreasury ===
After the relocation of the Custom House, 26 Wall Street was transformed into a building for the [[Independent Treasury|United States Subtreasury]].<ref name="Reynolds p. 80" /><ref name="Stokes p. 1901">{{cite book|last=Stokes|first=Isaac Newton Phelps|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_5800727_005/ldpd_5800727_005.pdf|title=The iconography of Manhattan Island, 1498–1909|publisher=|year=1915|isbn=|volume=5|location=|pages=1901|access-date=February 6, 2021|via=[[Columbia University|columbia.edu]]|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915124530/http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_5800727_005/ldpd_5800727_005.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 20, 1862|title=The Removal of the Custom-house; The Merchants' Exchange Occupied as the Custom-house Removal of the Warehouse Department|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1862/08/20/archives/the-removal-of-the-customhouse-the-merchants-exchange-occupied-as.html|access-date=May 19, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404231209/https://www.nytimes.com/1862/08/20/archives/the-removal-of-the-customhouse-the-merchants-exchange-occupied-as.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Subtreasury desks were arranged around the rotunda of the building.<ref name="Kobbe p. 104">{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|p=104}}</ref> [[Gold]] and coin storage vaults were placed along a passage near the north side of the rotunda. Bars were stored to the west, or left, and gold certificates and coins were stored to the east, or right. A vault for small change was also provided. A coin division was on the east side of the building, on the floor of the rotunda, toward Pine Street. [[Silver]] was stored in the northwest corner of the building, in the basement. An armory was placed on the upper stories, and various fortifications were mounted at the top of the building to protect the money.<ref>{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|pp=105–106}}</ref> Adjoining the Subtreasury to the east was the [[United States Assay Commission|United States Assay Office]], a branch of the [[United States Mint]] that performed all Mint functions except creating the coinage.<ref name="Kobbe p. 107">{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|p=107}}</ref> At its peak, the Subtreasury building held seventy percent of the federal government's money.<ref name="Carmody 1972" />

[[File:Wallstreetbmb.jpg|thumb|alt=The Subtreasury (Federal Hall Memorial) seen after the Wall Street bombing in 1920|In the [[Wall Street bombing]] of 1920, the Subtreasury (Federal Hall Memorial) received no damage.]]

In 1883, [[John Quincy Adams Ward]]'s bronze [[Statue of George Washington (Wall Street)|statue of George Washington]] was put up on the Subtreasury's ceremonial front steps.<ref name="Kobbe p. 103">{{harvnb|Kobbe|1891|ps=.|p=103}}</ref><ref name="Lee p. 19" /> The statue "mark[ed] the exact height Washington stood when [[inauguration|taking the oath]] of [[President of the United States|office]] on the balcony" of the eighteenth-century edifice, overlooking the crowds filling Broad Street up to Wall Street.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History Timeline|url=https://federalhall.org/history-timeline/|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=Federal Hall|language=en-US|archive-date=May 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502022610/https://federalhall.org/history-timeline/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1903, the building held over $275 million in gold, silver, and various other types of money; this amounted to nearly one-tenth of all of the United States' money at that point.<ref name="p1012445576">{{Cite news |last=Pratt |first=Sereno S. |date=October 11, 1903 |title=Big Cash Storehouse: Historic Wall-street Subtreasury a Reservoir of Enormous Wealth Its Functions Explained One of the Greatest Institutions of the Street-- Powes Over, Stocks Making Money Transfer |page=A5 |work=Courier-Journal |id={{ProQuest|1012445576}}}}</ref> A plaque memorializing the [[Northwest Ordinance]] was dedicated at the Subtreasury in 1905.<ref name="nyt-1905-11-30">{{Cite news |date=November 30, 1905 |title=Unveiling in Wall Street.; Sub-Treasury Decorated with Tablet in Memory of Ordinance of 1787. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/11/30/archives/unveiling-in-wall-street-subtreasury-decorated-with-tablet-in.html |access-date=May 14, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n124694041">{{Cite web |date=November 29, 1905 |title=Tablet Commemorates Great Ordinance of 1787 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news-tablet-commemorates-gre/124694041/ |access-date=May 14, 2023 |work=The Buffalo News |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

By 1917, the Subtreasury building held $519 million worth of gold and several million dollars more in coins.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 21, 1917 |title=U.S. Vaults Here Filled with Gold |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/01/21/archives/us-vaults-here-filled-with-gold-officials-will-soon-face-problem-of.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502022611/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/01/21/archives/us-vaults-here-filled-with-gold-officials-will-soon-face-problem-of.html |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In the [[Wall Street bombing]] of 1920, a bomb was detonated across from the Subtreasury at [[23 Wall Street]], in what became known as The Corner.<ref name="p165595897">{{cite news |date=September 16, 1945 |title=New York Bomb Tragedy Unsolved After 25 Years: Blast in Front of Subtreasury at Broad and Wall Streets Left 39 Dead and 200 Injured |page=9 |work=Los Angeles Times |id={{ProQuest|165595897}}}}</ref> Thirty-eight people were killed and 400 injured,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baily |first1=Thomas A |url=https://archive.org/details/americanpageant000bail |title=The American Pageant |last2=Kennedy |first2=David M. |publisher=D.C. Heath and Company |year=1994 |isbn=0-669-33892-3 |edition=10th}}</ref><ref name="barron">{{Cite news |last=Barron |first=James |date=September 17, 2003 |title=After 1920 Blast, The Opposite Of 'Never Forget'; No Memorials on Wall St. For Attack That Killed 30 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/nyregion/after-1920-blast-opposite-never-forget-no-memorials-wall-st-for-attack-that.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322043058/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/nyregion/after-1920-blast-opposite-never-forget-no-memorials-wall-st-for-attack-that.html |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> though the Subtreasury was undamaged.<ref name="p165595897" />

The [[Federal Reserve Bank]] replaced the Subtreasury system in 1920, and the Subtreasury office closed on December 7 of that year.<ref name="tribune19201207">{{cite news|title=N. Y. Sub-Treasury Closed as Reserve Bank Takes Duties: Martin Vogel Complimented by Bankers on Last Day in Office: Huge Sum Handled in Last Seven Years|date=December 7, 1920|work=New-York Tribune|page=15|id={{ProQuest|576286045}}}}</ref> The Assay Office leased the Subtreasury building to the Fed, which was constructing a building of its own, the [[Federal Reserve Bank of New York Building]], two blocks north.<ref name="p130280688">{{cite news |date=July 19, 1924 |title=In and Out of the Banks |page=8 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|130280688}}}}</ref> The Fed started moving its monetary holdings from the Subtreasury to the new Fed building in May 1924.<ref name="p1113087502">{{cite news |date=May 30, 1924 |title=Richest Bank In the World Begins Moving: Operation That Calls for Transfer of $500,000,000 to New Home of New York Reserve Put Under Way |page=17 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113087502}}}}</ref> This prompted concern among local financiers that the federal government was planning to sell the building to a private entity.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-11" /> That July, nationalist group [[American Defense Society]] started advocating against a possible sale of the building.<ref name="p1113018094">{{cite news |date=July 27, 1924 |title=Seek to Save Old Treasury |page=16 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113018094}}}}</ref><ref name="p130257203">{{cite news |date=July 29, 1924 |title=In and Out of the Banks |page=8 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|130257203}}}}</ref>

=== Use by other government offices ===

Ultimately, the government decided to retain ownership of the Subtreasury, using it as storage space for the Assay Office and as office space for other agencies.<ref name="p130276433">{{cite news |date=July 22, 1924 |title=Sub-treasury Building Will Be Retained: Will Be Used by the Government for Assay Office Storage and for Other Agencies Now Scattered |page=11 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|130276433}}}}</ref> The government also considered moving the [[Internal Revenue Service|Bureau of Internal Revenue]] to the Subtreasury.<ref name="p1113123192">{{cite news |date=July 11, 1924 |title=Sub-Treasury May Be Used By Tax Bureau: Question of Its Future Is Brought to Fore by Impending Withdrawal of Reserve Bank as Tenant |page=17 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113123192}}}}</ref> In October 1924, federal officials announced they would move [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]] enforcement agents' offices to the Subtreasury building, using the basement vaults to store confiscated alcoholic beverages.<ref name="p1113041571">{{cite news |date=October 9, 1924 |title=Deranged Man Attacks Policeman on Duty |page=10 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113041571}}}}</ref><ref name="p103259146">{{cite news |date=October 9, 1924 |title=Subtreasury to Be Prohibition Office: Government Makes Clear Its Intention Not to Sell Historic Building. |page=40 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |id={{ProQuest|103259146}}}}</ref> These plans were canceled the next month because of opposition from patriotic and historical societies.<ref name="p1113064902">{{cite news |date=November 19, 1924 |title="Bulletin" Arranges For $500,000 Loan |page=17 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113064902}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 19, 1924 |title=Subtreasury Saved as Historic Shrine; Will Not Be Used as Offices for Prohibition and Narcotic Forces. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1924/11/19/archives/subtreasury-saved-as-historic-shrine-will-not-be-used-as-offices.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504162450/https://www.nytimes.com/1924/11/19/archives/subtreasury-saved-as-historic-shrine-will-not-be-used-as-offices.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 1925, the [[City Club of New York]] appealed to Treasury Secretary [[Andrew Mellon]] to preserve the Subtreasury building.<ref name="p1112788307">{{cite news |date=March 20, 1925 |title=Mellon's Aid Asked In Preservation of Old Sub-Treasury: City Club Seeks to Save the Historic Building in Wall Street for Museum of National Activities |page=6 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1112788307}}}}</ref> U.S. representative [[Anning Smith Prall]] proposed a bill that December to allocate $5 million for an expansion of the Subtreasury building.<ref name="p1112950044">{{cite news |date=December 13, 1925 |title=Prall Draws Bill To Reconstruct Sub-Treasury: Would Enlarge and Repair 85-Year-Okl Building to Provide Extra Space for U. S. Offices Here Keeps Washington Statue Fish Offers Measure for Four More Federal Judges in New York District |page=10 |work=The New York Herald, New York Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1112950044}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1925 |title=Would Spend $5,000,000 on the Subtreasury; Representative Prall's Bill Contemplates Extension to Old Wall Street Building. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/12/14/archives/would-spend-5000000-on-the-subtreasury-representative-pralls-bill.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504175647/https://www.nytimes.com/1925/12/14/archives/would-spend-5000000-on-the-subtreasury-representative-pralls-bill.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

A passport office opened on the Pine Street side of the building in March 1925.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 1925 |title=To Open New Branch of Passport Bureau |pages=5 |work=The Brooklyn Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101012765/to-open-new-branch-of-passport-bureau/ |access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504174531/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101012765/to-open-new-branch-of-passport-bureau/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Subtreasury was also used for events such as a 1926 party to celebrate the dedication of the Bowling Green Community House,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1926 |title=Dedicate a New Community House; Mayor Walker Is Chief Speaker as New Home of Bowling Green Association Opens |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1926/05/06/archives/dedicate-a-new-community-house-mayor-walker-is-chief-speaker-as-new.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504175645/https://www.nytimes.com/1926/05/06/archives/dedicate-a-new-community-house-mayor-walker-is-chief-speaker-as-new.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as Constitution Day celebrations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1928 |title=Observe Constitution Day; Sons of Revolution Hold Exercises on Steps of Sub-Treasury. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1928/09/18/archives/observe-constitution-day-sons-of-revolution-hold-exercises-on-steps.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504175642/https://www.nytimes.com/1928/09/18/archives/observe-constitution-day-sons-of-revolution-hold-exercises-on-steps.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]] (BMT) built its [[BMT Nassau Street Line|Nassau Street Line]] under the building in the late 1920s,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Linder |first=Bernard |date=February 2016 |title=Contract 4 Subway Controversy |url=https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/2016-02-bulletin/1 |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=59 |issue=2 |access-date=July 28, 2016 |journal=The Bulletin |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816151223/https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/2016-02-bulletin/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Subtreasury was underpinned during the line's construction.<ref name="p1113636502">{{cite news |date=October 7, 1928 |title=Stored Millions Guarded as Subway Builders Dig Close to Sunken Vaults: Police and Private Inspectors and Watchmen Keen Constant Vigil on Broad and Nassau Streets as Excavations Expose Walls Hiding Treasure; Sensitive Electric Alarms Strengthen Precautions Digging Subway Under Center of Financial District |page=B3 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1113636502}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1931-05-10">{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1931 |title=Nassau St. Subway To Open On May 30; Its Construction an Engineering Feat Because Many Buildings Had to Be Underpinned |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/05/10/archives/nassau-st-subway-to-open-on-may-30-its-construction-an-engineering.html |access-date=July 28, 2016 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726170430/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/05/10/archives/nassau-st-subway-to-open-on-may-30-its-construction-an-engineering.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The original foundation was only {{convert|8|ft}} deep, so additional supports were installed underneath, descending {{convert|30|ft}} to the bedrock.<ref name="p1113636502" /> Both houses of [[United States Congress|Congress]] passed legislation allowing the BMT line to be built slightly underneath the building.<ref name="p130686496">{{cite news |date=January 23, 1929 |title=House Passes N.Y. Subway Bill |page=21 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|130686496}}}}</ref> A water main under Nassau Street ruptured in October 1931, severely damaging some of the records that were stored in the basement.<ref name="p1114223422">{{cite news |date=October 5, 1931 |title=Nassau St. Main Bursts, Flooding Tube and Cellars: Ton of Silt Washed Into Subway Passage as the Wall Breaks; Pavements Bulge Excavations Are Inundated Old Records Damaged in Basement of Treasury Building |page=3 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1114223422}}}}</ref><ref name="p558069416">{{cite news |date=October 5, 1931 |title=Wall Street Water Main Bursts Doing $100,000 Damage |page=1 |work=The Hartford Courant |id={{ProQuest|558069416}}}}</ref>

A writer for ''The New York Times'' in 1930 characterized the Subtreasury as one of "the big little buildings of Wall Street", along with 23 Wall Street, the [[New York Stock Exchange Building]], and [[Trinity Church (Manhattan)|Trinity Church]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Puckette |first=Charles Mcd |date=August 24, 1930 |title=Wall Street's "Big Little Buildings"; Overtopped on All Sides by Towers of Steel and Stone, They Retain an Impressiveness Beyond Their Height |language=en-US |page=SM3 |work=The New York Times |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/08/24/118186824.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404224857/http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/08/24/118186824.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In the early 1930s, the [[United States Post Office Department]] proposed replacing the Subtreasury building with a post office, which would be a replica of Federal Hall as it appeared in 1789. At the time, the three post-office substations in Lower Manhattan could not adequately accommodate high demand from the surrounding office buildings.<ref name="p1114744928" /><ref name="The New York Times 1931">{{Cite news |date=May 28, 1931 |title=Plans to Replace Subtreasury Here; Postoffice Department May Erect Copy of Federal Hall on Historic Site |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/05/28/archives/plans-to-replace-subtreasury-here-postoffice-department-may-erect.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504175646/https://www.nytimes.com/1931/05/28/archives/plans-to-replace-subtreasury-here-postoffice-department-may-erect.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The department said much of the Subtreasury's space was unused because historical and patriotic societies had objected to most plans for the building.<ref name="The New York Times 1931" /> The Subtreasury continued to be used as a passport office through the mid-1930s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1936 |title=Passports Issued Up 10% During Year; Report for 1935–36 Shows a Continued Rise in New Permits and Renewals |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/31/archives/passports-issued-up-10-during-year-report-for-193536-shows-a.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504175643/https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/31/archives/passports-issued-up-10-during-year-report-for-193536-shows-a.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Federal Hall National Memorial===
==== 1930s to 1950s ====
[[File:George Washington Statue at Federal Hall.JPG|thumb|''[[Statue of George Washington (Wall Street)|George Washington]]'', 1882, by [[John Quincy Adams Ward]], in front of Federal Hall National Memorial|upright]]
In 1939, after the government announced plans to demolish the Subtreasury building, a group called Federal Hall Memorial Associates raised money to prevent the building's demolition.<ref name="Carmody 1972" /> On April 29, 1939, Secretary of the Interior [[Harold L. Ickes]] announced that the Subtreasury would become a historic site.<ref name="p1244884660">{{cite news |date=April 30, 1939 |title=U. S. Will Make National Shrine Of Subtreasury: Ceremony Planned at Site Where Washington Took Oath as First President |page=33 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1244884660}}}}</ref> The building was designated as '''Federal Hall Memorial National Historic Site''' on May 26, 1939,<ref>{{Cite web|last=United States Congress|date=May 26, 1939|title=Order Designating the Federal Hall Memorial National Historic Site, New York, N. Y.|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/legal/upload/7-National-Memorials.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214050558/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/legal/upload/7-National-Memorials.pdf|archive-date=February 14, 2021|access-date=February 6, 2021|website=|publisher=National Park Service|pages=97–98}}</ref> and an information bureau opened on the rotunda floor, with exhibits related to finance and the [[1939 New York World's Fair]].<ref name="p1243121758">{{cite news |date=May 21, 1939 |title=Wall St. Museum to Commemorate Washington: Site of First Inauguration to House Relies of Banking and Old City Waterfront Historical Display to Open Wednesday in Building That Was a Sub-Treasury Old Sub-Treasury Building Becomes Museum |page=A1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1243121758}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1939-05-25">{{Cite news |date=May 25, 1939 |title=Museum Opened in Sub-treasury; Basement Rotunda of Historic Center Downtown Becomes New American Shrine |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/25/archives/museum-opened-in-subtreasury-basement-rotunda-of-historic-center.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503195541/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/05/25/archives/museum-opened-in-subtreasury-basement-rotunda-of-historic-center.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next month, the [[National Park Service]] (NPS) took over the Subtreasury building.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1939 |title=Federal Hall Site Now 'Historic' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/17/archives/federal-hall-site-now-historic.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503195534/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/06/17/archives/federal-hall-site-now-historic.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The memorial commemorated the first building on the site, rather than the extant Subtreasury building.<ref name=nyt20060924/> Due to the building's status as a "national shrine", it did not accommodate governmental offices.<ref name="p132041620">{{cite news |date=April 6, 1953 |title=Government Will Quit The Street, Make Way For a Seamen's Bank: Long Vacant U.S. Assay Office To Be Swapped for Structure In Brooklyn |page=2 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|132041620}}}}</ref> After several months of negotiations, Federal Hall Memorial Associates was allowed to operate the interior as a museum in January 1940.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 24, 1940|title=Wall Street Scene|page=4|work=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|id={{ProQuest|131279932}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=January 10, 1940|title=Museum to Show Historic Scenes; Paintings of House and Senate Chambers in Old Federal Hall to Go on View|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/01/10/archives/museum-to-show-historic-scenes-paintings-of-house-and-senate.html|access-date=February 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The memorial opened on [[Presidents' Day|Washington's Birthday]], February 22, 1940.<ref name="p1242984157">{{cite news |date=February 22, 1940 |title=Sub-Treasury Made Shrine on Eve of Holiday: Site of First Inauguration Dedicated as City Marks Washington's Birthday A Solute for Washington's Birthday at Unveiling Here |page=24 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1242984157}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=World |first=Times Wide |date=February 22, 1940 |title=Our First Capitol Made a Memorial; Subtreasury Building in Wall Street Is Dedicated as a National Shrine |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/22/archives/our-first-capitol-made-a-memorial-subtreasury-building-in-wall.html |access-date=May 3, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504040914/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/22/archives/our-first-capitol-made-a-memorial-subtreasury-building-in-wall.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''New York Herald Tribune'' said that, within the United States, Federal Hall Memorial was only matched by [[Mount Vernon]] and [[Independence Hall]] "in historical interest".<ref name="p1324144677">{{cite news |date=May 1, 1941 |title=The Federal Hall Memorial |page=22 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1324144677}}}}</ref>

The building celebrated its 100th anniversary on Washington's Birthday in 1942.<ref name="p1266850591">{{cite news |date=February 22, 1942 |title=Sub-Treasury Building, Century Old, To Be a Major Shrine |page=A1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1266850591}}}}</ref> Among the other events that took place at Federal Hall Memorial in the early 1940s were sales of World War II [[war bond]]s,<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1942 |title=War Bond Rally on Treasury Day; Meeting and Sale on Steps of Sub-Treasury to Mark Anniversary Wednesday |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/08/30/archives/war-bond-rally-on-treasury-day-meeting-and-sale-on-steps-of.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052705/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/08/30/archives/war-bond-rally-on-treasury-day-meeting-and-sale-on-steps-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Constitution Day (United States)|Constitution Day]] celebrations,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1941 |title=Constitution Day Marked in City; Patriotic Groups Hold Annual Ceremony on Site of Federal Hall in Wall Street |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/09/18/archives/constitution-day-marked-in-city-patriotic-groups-hold-annual.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052707/https://www.nytimes.com/1941/09/18/archives/constitution-day-marked-in-city-patriotic-groups-hold-annual.html |url-status=live }}</ref> rallies in support of the [[United Service Organizations]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1942 |title=2,000 at Wall Street Rally; Ex-Governor Smith and Others Ask Support of USO |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1942/06/16/archives/2000-at-wall-street-rally-exgovernor-smith-and-others-ask-support.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052704/https://www.nytimes.com/1942/06/16/archives/2000-at-wall-street-rally-exgovernor-smith-and-others-ask-support.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and stamp sales.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stiles |first=Kent B. |date=October 7, 1945 |title=News of Stamp World; Coast Guard War Commemoratives to Go On Sale at Sub-Treasury Ceremony |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/10/07/archives/news-of-stamp-world-coast-guard-war-commemoratives-to-go-on-sale-at.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052702/https://www.nytimes.com/1945/10/07/archives/news-of-stamp-world-coast-guard-war-commemoratives-to-go-on-sale-at.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Federal Hall Memorial continued to be used for events in the 1950s, including a blood donation drive<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 11, 1953 |title=New Blood Center Opens on Wall St.; Federal Hall Unit Aims to Take Up Summer Donation Slack – To Close in September |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/06/11/archives/new-blood-center-opens-on-wall-st-federal-hall-unit-aims-to-take-up.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052708/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/06/11/archives/new-blood-center-opens-on-wall-st-federal-hall-unit-aims-to-take-up.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a [[Salvation Army]] donation drive.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Times |first=The New York |date=February 2, 1950 |title=Salvation Army Opens 1950 Drive |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/02/02/archives/salvation-army-opens-1950-drive.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052705/https://www.nytimes.com/1950/02/02/archives/salvation-army-opens-1950-drive.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1952, the [[United States House of Representatives]]' Subcommittee of the Interior voted to permit the rehabilitation of Federal Hall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1952 |title=House Group Adopts Federal Hall Bill |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1952/07/02/archives/house-group-adopts-federal-hall-bill.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503180758/https://www.nytimes.com/1952/07/02/archives/house-group-adopts-federal-hall-bill.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The John Peter Zenger Room, a journalism exhibit, was dedicated at Federal Hall in April 1953.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kihss|first=Peter|date=April 24, 1953|title=Zenger Memorial Presented to U. S.; Exhibit in Federal Hall Marks Colonial Printer's Successful Fight for a Free Press|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/04/24/archives/zenger-memorial-presented-to-u-s-exhibit-in-federal-hall-marks.html|access-date=May 4, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504052711/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/04/24/archives/zenger-memorial-presented-to-u-s-exhibit-in-federal-hall-marks.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1319936304">{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1319936304}} |title=Zenger Memorial Room Dedicated |date=April 24, 1953 |page=15 |work=New York Herald Tribune}}</ref> The next year, the U.S. government relocated the building's original wrought-iron fence into the basement because the Tennessee marble under it had started to buckle.<ref name="nyt-1954-06-16">{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1954 |title=1842 Fence Here Goes Into History; Tons of Wrought Iron From Federal Hall Site Swung Into Storage Vault |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/06/16/archives/1842-fence-here-goes-into-history-tons-of-wrought-iron-from-federal.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503180757/https://www.nytimes.com/1954/06/16/archives/1842-fence-here-goes-into-history-tons-of-wrought-iron-from-federal.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

As the building is owned by the federal government and managed by the NPS, renovations and restoration proposals must be approved by Congress. In 1954, the [[New York City Council]] passed a resolution asking Congress to establish a committee to provide suggestions for restoring Federal Hall, the [[Castle Clinton|Castle Clinton National Monument]], and the [[Statue of Liberty National Monument]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 24, 1954 |title=Education Sparks City Council Fight; Isaacs' Mild Resolution on State Aid Hit as 'Typical Republican Insult' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/02/24/archives/education-sparks-city-council-fight-isaacs-mild-resolution-on-state.html |access-date=October 9, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Federal Hall was re-designated as a [[List of national memorials of the United States|national memorial]] on August 11, 1955.<ref name="nyt-1955-08-13">{{Cite news |date=August 13, 1955 |title=Monuments Get Help; Eisenhower Signs Bill Urging Support for Historic Sites |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/13/archives/monuments-get-help-eisenhower-signs-bill-urging-support-for.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504180951/https://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/13/archives/monuments-get-help-eisenhower-signs-bill-urging-support-for.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, the federal government created the New York City National Shrines Advisory Board.<ref name="nyt-1955-08-13" /><ref name="p1328082846">{{cite news |date=August 29, 1955 |title=Board Aims to Preserve 3 Historic Sites in City |page=7 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1328082846}}}}</ref> The board first convened in February 1956.<ref name="p1327597493">{{cite news |date=February 4, 1956 |title=Museum Projects Urged To Save 3 Shrines Here |page=A10 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1327597493}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 4, 1956 |title=Board Considers Historic Shrines; Advisory Group to Seek Aid of Public in Preserving Three in This City |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/02/04/archives/board-considers-historic-shrines-advisory-group-to-seek-aid-of.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504180952/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/02/04/archives/board-considers-historic-shrines-advisory-group-to-seek-aid-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The government tentatively allocated $1.621 million for the restoration of Federal Hall, whose interior had become dilapidated.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bennett|first=Charles G.|date=April 30, 1956|title=U.S. Aid Pledged on Federal Hall|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/04/30/archives/us-aid-pledged-on-federal-hall-restoration-budget-drafted.html|access-date=February 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In February 1957, the board recommended allocating $3 million for the restoration of the three sites.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 1, 1957 |title=$3,089,400 Outlay on Shrines Asked; City Board to Submit to U. S. Cost of Restoring 3—Drive to Raise Half Planned |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/02/01/archives/3089400-outlay-on-shrines-asked-city-board-to-submit-to-u-s-cost-of.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504180950/https://www.nytimes.com/1957/02/01/archives/3089400-outlay-on-shrines-asked-city-board-to-submit-to-u-s-cost-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1960, Interior Secretary [[Fred A. Seaton]] announced plans to restore Federal Hall within the next two years. He proposed that local civic groups raise $2.9 million, half of the projected cost, and that the government raise [[matching funds]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 20, 1960 |title=U.S. Aid Pledged to 4 City Shrines; Seaton Says Agency Will Match Private Funds for Opening of World Fair |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1960/04/20/archives/us-aid-pledged-to-4-city-shrines-seaton-says-agency-will-match.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504180952/https://www.nytimes.com/1960/04/20/archives/us-aid-pledged-to-4-city-shrines-seaton-says-agency-will-match.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next year, Interior Secretary [[Stewart Udall]] announced that the federal government would start redeveloping the three historic sites in advance of the [[1964 New York World's Fair]].<ref name="nyt-1961-10-11">{{Cite news |last=Illson |first=Murray |date=October 11, 1961 |title=U.S. Will Develop 3 Shrines in City; Udall Supports Program on a Fund-Matching Basis |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/10/11/archives/us-will-develop-3-shrines-in-city-udall-supports-program-on-a.html |access-date=May 4, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505002118/https://www.nytimes.com/1961/10/11/archives/us-will-develop-3-shrines-in-city-udall-supports-program-on-a.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p898224798">{{cite news |date=October 11, 1961 |title=Udall Urges Public to Aid Shrine Fund |page=52 |work=Newsday |id={{ProQuest|898224798}}}}</ref> Federal government officials also installed a plaque in front of the building, dedicating it as a "national shrine".<ref name="nyt-1961-10-11" /><ref name="p1325444685">{{cite news |date=October 11, 1961 |title=Federal Hall (Nassau and Wall) Marked as National Shrine |page=27 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1325444685}}}}</ref>

==== 1960s to 1990s ====
[[File:Federal Hall National Monument, New York (89e95313-7d19-418b-b01f-f588707b1e9a).jpg|thumb|Federal Hall National Memorial]]
The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) designated the building's exterior as a landmark on December 21, 1965.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 28, 1965 |title=7 More Buildings Made Landmarks |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/12/28/archives/7-more-buildings-made-landmarks.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505002115/https://www.nytimes.com/1965/12/28/archives/7-more-buildings-made-landmarks.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=December 28, 1965 |title=Pick 7 More Landmarks |page=299 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69475177/pick-7-more-landmarks/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213095306/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69475177/pick-7-more-landmarks/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="NYCL-0047">{{cite web |date=December 21, 1965 |title=Federal Hall National Memorial |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0047.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921134809/https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0047.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2016 |publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission}}</ref> The building was also added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] (NRHP) on October 15, 1966, the day the [[National Historic Preservation Act of 1966]] was signed.<ref name="Howe" /> The building's location on Wall Street, and near the New York Stock Exchange Building, made it a "natural rallying place" as ''The New York Times'' described it. As a result, its front steps were used for demonstrations, political rallies, President's Day celebrations, and union drives. After the building closed for restoration in 1968, the NPS said that loitering on the front steps developed into "more of a problem".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitney |first=Craig R. |date=May 12, 1970 |title=Federal Hall, a Natural Podium, Attracts Protesters on Wall St. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/12/archives/federal-hall-a-natural-podium-attracts-protesters-on-wall-st.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505033654/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/12/archives/federal-hall-a-natural-podium-attracts-protesters-on-wall-st.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Among these events were an anti-narcotics rally<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 23, 1970 |title=1,000 In Financial District At Antinarcotics Rally |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/23/archives/1000-in-financial-district-at-antinarcotics-rally.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505033654/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/06/23/archives/1000-in-financial-district-at-antinarcotics-rally.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a protest against the Vietnam War in 1970.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bigart |first=Homer |date=May 9, 1970 |title=War Foes Here Attacked By Construction Workers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/09/archives/war-foes-here-attacked-by-construction-workers-city-hall-is-stormed.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505033653/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/09/archives/war-foes-here-attacked-by-construction-workers-city-hall-is-stormed.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The building reopened to the public in 1972 as a museum.<ref name="Carmody 1972" /> That year, the New York City Bicentennial Corporation issued a commemorative medal honoring the original Federal Hall, as well as New York City during the American Revolution.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 26, 1972 |title=Medal Hails City and Federal Hall |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/11/26/archives/medal-hails-city-and-federal-hall-the-first-capital-of-us.html |access-date=May 5, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505033652/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/11/26/archives/medal-hails-city-and-federal-hall-the-first-capital-of-us.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The LPC held hearings in 1975 to determine whether the interiors of Federal Hall's rotunda, the [[Morris–Jumel Mansion]], and the [[Bartow–Pell Mansion]] should be designated as landmarks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 26, 1975 |title=3 New Landmarks Backed at Hearings |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/26/archives/3-new-landmarks-backed-at-hearings.html |access-date=May 3, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504040915/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/02/26/archives/3-new-landmarks-backed-at-hearings.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The LPC designated all three buildings' interiors as landmarks on May 26, 1975,<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 27, 1975|title=Landmark Buildings Also Win Citations For Their Inferiors|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/27/archives/landmark-buildings-also-win-citations-for-their-inferiors.html|access-date=May 2, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the [[New York City Board of Estimate]] ratified these designations that July.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1975 |title=Metropolitan Briefs |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/18/archives/metropolitan-briefs-3-interiors-win-landmark-status-appeal-due-on.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813182716/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/18/archives/metropolitan-briefs-3-interiors-win-landmark-status-appeal-due-on.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The NPS hired Phoebe Dent Weil to restore the George Washington statue on the front steps in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alston |first=Blanche Cordelia |date=November 24, 1979 |title=Bronze Statues Gleam Again |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/24/archives/bronze-statues-gleam-again-new-refinishing-method-roosevelt-gates.html |access-date=May 24, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524134108/https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/24/archives/bronze-statues-gleam-again-new-refinishing-method-roosevelt-gates.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Whitney Museum]] opened a temporary branch at Federal Hall in 1982.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 247">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=247}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Raynor|first=Vivien|date=February 26, 1982|title=Art: Lower Manhattan Unfurled in Federal Hall|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/26/arts/art-lower-manhattan-unfurled-in-federal-hall.html|access-date=July 29, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729154231/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/26/arts/art-lower-manhattan-unfurled-in-federal-hall.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This was actually the third location of the Whitney's first satellite branch, which had previously been housed at [[55 Water Street]] and the [[New York City Police Museum|First Police Precinct Station House]].<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 247"/> The satellite branch occupied four galleries on the mezzanine of Federal Hall (around the central rotunda), while the NPS hosted history exhibits in other parts of the building.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shepard|first=Richard F.|date=March 28, 1984|title=Going Out Guide|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/28/arts/going-out-guide.html|access-date=July 29, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729154718/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/28/arts/going-out-guide.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Whitney closed the Federal Hall branch in 1984,<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 248">{{harvnb|Stern|Fishman|Tilove|2006|ps=.|p=248}}</ref> eventually reopening at [[33 Maiden Lane]] in 1988.<ref name="Stern (2006) p. 248"/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Yarrow|first=Andrew L.|date=April 16, 1988|title=The Whitney Returns to Downtown|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/16/arts/the-whitney-returns-to-downtown.html|access-date=July 29, 2022|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729154318/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/16/arts/the-whitney-returns-to-downtown.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During this decade, [[Richard Jenrette]]{{snd}}the chairman of banking house [[Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette]], which was headquartered nearby{{snd}}started soliciting $500,000 in private donations to renovate Federal Hall, in conjunction with Federal Hall Memorial Associates.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dunlap|first=David W.|date=November 2, 1984|title=Grand Plans for 'Temple' on Wall Street|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/02/nyregion/grand-plans-for-temple-on-wall-street.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130112210/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/02/nyregion/grand-plans-for-temple-on-wall-street.html}}</ref> Although the group planned to renovate the rotunda into a reception area with contemporary furnishings, by 1985, only $73.000 had been raised and no contemporary furnishings had been acquired.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Haitch|first=Richard|date=June 9, 1985|title=Follow Up on the News; Wall St. Rescue|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/09/nyregion/follow-up-on-the-news-wall-st-rescue.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214074623/https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/09/nyregion/follow-up-on-the-news-wall-st-rescue.html}}</ref>

Federal officials announced in 1986 that Federal Hall would be renovated; the spaces would be cleaned and painted, and mechanical systems would be replaced.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blau |first=Eleanor |date=September 30, 1986 |title=Landmark Will Add a Museum |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/30/nyregion/landmark-will-add-a-museum.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203063403/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/30/nyregion/landmark-will-add-a-museum.html |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The memorial's second floor would contain two galleries about the [[Constitution of the United States]], and an exhibit about the original building would be installed as well.<ref name="nyt-1988-07-25">{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=July 25, 1988 |title=Washington Stood Here. Here's Why |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/25/nyregion/washington-stood-here-here-s-why.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812231200/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/25/nyregion/washington-stood-here-here-s-why.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Federal Hall hosted a reenactment of Washington's inauguration on April 30, 1989, the event's 200th anniversary.<ref name="p278070384">{{cite news |last1=Mangaliman |first1=Jessie |last2=Smith |first2=Dawn |date=May 1, 1989 |title=From George W. to George B. |page=3 |work=Newsday |id={{ProQuest|278070384}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1989-05-01">{{Cite news |last=Barron |first=James |date=May 1, 1989 |title=A Day Celebrates 200 Presidential Years |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/01/nyregion/a-day-celebrates-200-presidential-years.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617075312/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/01/nyregion/a-day-celebrates-200-presidential-years.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The reenactment, attended by U.S. president [[George H. W. Bush|George Bush]], was intended to raise $700,000 for the museum,<ref name="nyt-1989-05-01" /> which opened to the public after this event.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yarrow |first=Andrew L. |date=April 28, 1989 |title=Washington's Inaugural, Afloat, Aloft and on Foot |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/28/arts/washington-s-inaugural-afloat-aloft-and-on-foot.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902051048/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/28/arts/washington-s-inaugural-afloat-aloft-and-on-foot.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p278099476">{{cite news |last=Wolfson |first=Jayne Caparell |date=April 23, 1989 |title=Many Events For George's Sake |page=11 |work=Newsday |id={{ProQuest|278099476}}}}</ref> In addition to Constitution-related exhibits, the museum hosted temporary exhibits such as a display of [[Hudson Valley]] artwork,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Melvin |first=Tessa |date=October 6, 1991 |title=Washington Irving Returns to New York |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/06/nyregion/washington-irving-returns-to-new-york.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402015306/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/06/nyregion/washington-irving-returns-to-new-york.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a showcase of New York City designated landmarks,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 9, 1993 |title=Postings: Staten Island, Too; 'Landmarks' Reaches Out |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/09/realestate/postings-staten-island-too-landmarks-reaches-out.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131209/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/09/realestate/postings-staten-island-too-landmarks-reaches-out.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and an exhibit about the abolition of slavery in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 8, 1998 |title=Travel Advisory; Exhibits and Festivals Celebrate Black History |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/08/travel/travel-advisory-exhibits-and-festivals-celebrate-black-history.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527080641/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/08/travel/travel-advisory-exhibits-and-festivals-celebrate-black-history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== 2000s to present ====
[[File:Federal Hall Sep 6 2002 Hastert Cheney.jpg|thumb|right|Congress convenes for a special session at Federal Hall National Memorial on September 6, 2002.]]

By the beginning of the 21st century, Federal Hall contained numerous large cracks.<ref name="nyt-2004-03-18">{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=March 18, 2004 |title=Federal Hall Is Uplifted, First by Steel, Then by Art; Paintings From the Uffizi to Arrive |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/18/nyregion/federal-hall-uplifted-first-steel-then-art-paintings-uffizi-arrive.html |access-date=August 13, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206235041/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/18/nyregion/federal-hall-uplifted-first-steel-then-art-paintings-uffizi-arrive.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001, attacks]], which caused the [[Collapse of the World Trade Center|nearby collapse]] of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]'s Twin Towers, 300 people sheltered at the memorial.<ref name="nyt-2015-12-02">{{Cite news |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=December 2, 2015 |title=A Wall Street Landmark Seen by Millions, but Often Overlooked |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/nyregion/a-majestic-landmark-overlooked-on-wall-street.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322164617/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/nyregion/a-majestic-landmark-overlooked-on-wall-street.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to concerns over the building's structural integrity, Federal Hall was closed for one month following the attacks.<ref name="UPI 2002">{{cite web |date=April 10, 2002 |title=Imperiled Federal Hall gets emergency aid |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2002/04/10/Imperiled-Federal-Hall-gets-emergency-aid/91801018457868/ |access-date=August 13, 2022 |website=UPI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 16, 2001|title=Federal Hall Reopens|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/16/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-federal-hall-reopens.html|url-status=live|access-date=February 6, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527164259/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/16/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-federal-hall-reopens.html}}</ref> When the building reopened, metal detectors similar to those at airports were placed at the entrances.<ref name="nyt-2015-12-02" /> Meanwhile, the cracks in the building were exacerbated following the collapse of the World Trade Center.<ref name="nyt-2002-03-26">{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=March 26, 2002 |title=Parks Monitors Say Federal Hall Is Imperiled by Water and Neglect |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/26/nyregion/parks-monitors-say-federal-hall-is-imperiled-by-water-and-neglect.html |access-date=August 13, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128141104/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/26/nyregion/parks-monitors-say-federal-hall-is-imperiled-by-water-and-neglect.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, in early 2002, the NPS received $16.5 million for repairs to the building.<ref name="UPI 2002" /><ref name="nyt-2002-03-26" /> On September 6, 2002, approximately 300 members of Congress traveled from [[Washington, D.C.]], to New York to convene in Federal Hall National Memorial as a symbolic show of support for the city; this was the first meeting of Congress in New York City since 1790.<ref name="CNN"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hulse |first=Carl |date=September 7, 2002 |title=Congress at Ground Zero: the Special Assembly; Congress, Back in Its First City, Honors Resilience of So Many |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/07/nyregion/congress-ground-zero-special-assembly-congress-back-its-first-city-honors.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527203820/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/07/nyregion/congress-ground-zero-special-assembly-congress-back-its-first-city-honors.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Four steel pilings were installed under one of the building's corners in 2003 after investigators found a 24-inch air gap beneath that corner.<ref name="nyt-2004-03-18" />

The site closed on December 3, 2004, for a $16 million renovation, mostly to its foundation.<ref name="amNewYork 2004">{{cite web |date=December 9, 2004 |title=Federal Hall closes a year for renovations |url=https://www.amny.com/news/federal-hall-closes-a-year-for-renovations/ |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=amNewYork}}</ref> Federal Hall National Memorial reopened in late 2006.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Archives Announces Major Venue in New York City | website=National Archives | date=December 14, 2006 | url=https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2007-201 | access-date=August 30, 2019 | archive-date=August 30, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830034045/https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2007-201 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="nyt-2006-11-25">{{Cite news |last=Rothstein |first=Edward |date=November 25, 2006 |title=In a Grand Old Hall, a Grab Bag of History |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/arts/design/25hall.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503195532/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/arts/design/25hall.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The renovated memorial included a visitor center, showcasing other historical sites operated by the NPS in the New York City area.<ref name="nyt-2006-11-25" /> In 2007, the building was designated as a contributing property to the [[Wall Street Historic District (Manhattan)|Wall Street Historic District]],<ref name="Howe" /> a NRHP district.<ref name="nris_2007">{{cite web|date=2007|title=National Register of Historic Places 2007 Weekly Lists|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2007-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|access-date=July 20, 2020|publisher=National Park Service|page=65|archive-date=December 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228214611/https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2007-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The same year, the metal detectors were removed and replaced with [[magnetometer]]s because the security screening process took too long, driving away many visitors. This measure increased attendance fourfold.<ref name="nyt-2015-12-02" /> New York City mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] and [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] invited the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 United States presidential candidates]], [[John McCain]] and [[Barack Obama]], to a [[town hall]] forum at Federal Hall,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5021604&page=1|title=New York Mayor, ABC News Invite Obama, McCain to Historic Town Hall|author=ABC News|work=ABC News|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928225829/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5021604&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> though both candidates declined the offer.<ref name="Chung 2008">{{cite web |last=Chung |first=Jen |date=June 8, 2008 |title=McCain and Obama Apparently Reject Bloomberg, ABC News' Offer of Manhattan Town Hall |url=https://gothamist.com/news/mccain-and-obama-apparently-reject-bloomberg-abc-news-offer-of-manhattan-town-hall |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Gothamist |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214034355/https://gothamist.com/news/mccain-and-obama-apparently-reject-bloomberg-abc-news-offer-of-manhattan-town-hall |url-status=live }}</ref> McCain did host his own town hall forum at Federal Hall in June 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Falcone |first1=Michael |last2=Bosman |first2=Julie |date=June 14, 2008 |title=Campaigns Unable to Agree on Series of Meetings |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/14/us/politics/14campaign.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503195538/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/14/us/politics/14campaign.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[American Express]] Foundation donated $75,000 in 2012 toward the restoration of the Washington statue outside the building.<ref name="nyt-2015-12-02"/> In 2015, the [[National Trust for Historic Preservation]] said Federal Hall's grand staircase would be renovated after the American Express Foundation had given a $300,000 grant.<ref name="Warerkar 2015">{{cite web |last=Warerkar |first=Tanay |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Federal Hall Receives $300K For Restoration Work |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2015/12/2/9894904/federal-hall-receives-300k-for-restoration-work |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=July 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715022006/http://ny.curbed.com/2015/12/2/9894904/federal-hall-receives-300k-for-restoration-work |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nast 2015" /> At the time, the steps had begun to fall into disrepair and showed signs of [[spall]]ing and cracking.<ref name="nyt-2015-12-02" /> The work was to begin in late 2016.<ref name="Nast 2015">{{cite web |last=Montes |first=Geoffrey |date=December 15, 2015 |title=New York's Grand Federal Hall to Be Restored to Its Former Glory |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/federal-hall-new-york-city-restoration |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Architectural Digest |archive-date=April 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429051546/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/federal-hall-new-york-city-restoration |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2018, local newspaper ''[[AM New York Metro]]'' wrote that "cracked walls, peeling paint and a rust-water-stained rotunda are among the deteriorating conditions that greet nearly 300,000 visitors who come there to learn about American history."<ref name="Alvarez 2018"/> Federal Hall National Memorial also had damaged floors and arches; the facade had begun to chip; and the columns had cracked and were showing signs of mold and discoloration.<ref name="Alvarez 2018">{{cite web | last=Alvarez | first=Maria | title=Historic sites Federal Hall, Grant's Tomb need upgrades | website=amNewYork | date=March 11, 2018 | url=https://www.amny.com/news/national-treasures-renovations-1-17304643/ | access-date=March 27, 2023}}</ref> The cooling system was replaced in 2020.<ref name="Commercial Construction and Renovation 2020">{{cite web |date=September 7, 2020 |title=Inside the HVAC system that keeps iconic Federal Hall chill |url=https://www.ccr-mag.com/inside-the-hvac-system-that-keeps-iconic-federal-hall-chill/ |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=Commercial Construction and Renovation |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305100252/https://www.ccr-mag.com/inside-the-hvac-system-that-keeps-iconic-federal-hall-chill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The NPS temporarily closed the memorial in July 2021 after finding cracked stone.<ref name="CNBC 2021" /> As part of a permanent repair project, the building was to be covered in scaffolding for five to ten years.<ref name="CNBC 2021">{{cite web | title=Iconic Manhattan Spot to Be Covered in Scaffolds for Up to 10 Years | website=CNBC | date=July 14, 2021 | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/iconic-manhattan-spot-to-be-covered-in-scaffolds-for-up-to-10-years.html | access-date=May 2, 2022 | archive-date=May 2, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502202249/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/iconic-manhattan-spot-to-be-covered-in-scaffolds-for-up-to-10-years.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Brand 2021">{{cite web |last=Brand |first=David |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Sorry Sightseers, That New York City Landmark May be Covered by Scaffolding |url=https://citylimits.org/2021/08/30/sorry-sightseers-that-nyc-landmark-may-be-covered-by-scaffolding/ |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=City Limits |archive-date=September 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913040312/https://citylimits.org/2021/08/30/sorry-sightseers-that-nyc-landmark-may-be-covered-by-scaffolding/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Architecture ==
[[File:Custom House, now building in the City of New York, January, 1837 (NYPL Hades-1786125-1650784) (cropped).tiff|thumb|Custom House's architectural plan from 1837|upright=1.4]]

Federal Hall National Memorial was designed by architects [[Ithiel Town]] and [[Alexander Jackson Davis]] of Town and Davis, with a domed rotunda designed by the sculptor [[John Frazee (sculptor, born 1790)|John Frazee]]. The building is constructed of [[Tuckahoe marble]]. Two prominent American ideals are reflected in the current building's [[Greek Revival architecture]]. Town and Davis's [[Doric order|Doric]] columns on the facade resemble those of the [[Parthenon]] and serve as a tribute to [[Greek democracy|the democracy of the Greeks]]. Frazee's domed rotunda echoes the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] and is evocative of the [[Republicanism|republican ideals]] of the [[Roman Republic|ancient Romans]].<ref name="nyt20060924" /><ref name="nhlsum" />

The building contains two basement levels, three full above-ground stories, and an attic.<ref name="NRHP-66000095">{{cite web |date=October 15, 1966 |title=Historic Structures Report: Federal Hall National Memorial |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/66000095.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731175457/https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/66000095.pdf |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=February 10, 2021 |publisher=[[National Register of Historic Places]], [[National Park Service]] |page=2}}</ref> The Subtreasury had been constructed with 22<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20" /> or 25 rooms.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-11" />

=== Facade ===
The facade of the building is made of marble blocks measuring {{convert|5|ft}} thick.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20" /> A set of 18 granite steps lead from ground level up to the rotunda.<ref name="Kobbe p. 104" /> John Quincy Adams Ward's bronze statue of George Washington is placed on the building's ceremonial front steps.<ref name="Kobbe p. 103" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 2, 1910 |title=J.Q.A. Ward Dead at the Age of 80; Dean of the American Sculptors Parses Away at His Home Here |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1910/05/02/archives/jqa-ward-dead-at-the-age-of-80-dean-of-the-american-sculptors.html |access-date=May 24, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524134109/https://www.nytimes.com/1910/05/02/archives/jqa-ward-dead-at-the-age-of-80-dean-of-the-american-sculptors.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the top of the stairs, a colonnade supports a plain triangular pediment. The lack of sculpture on the pediment may have been influenced by aesthetic considerations, as there were few "qualified sculptors" at the time of the building's construction, according to Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis.<ref name="Lee p. 19" />

Next to the building's western elevation, there was originally a wrought-iron fence about {{convert|38|in}} tall and {{convert|190|ft}} long; it rested on a parapet of Tennessee marble measuring {{convert|22|in}} tall. The fence, which was placed about {{convert|5|ft}} in front of the building, was removed in 1954.<ref name="nyt-1954-06-16" /> When the building was used by the Subtreasury, guards were stationed in three turrets on the roof. These turrets contained grilles through which the guards could fire at invaders.<ref name="nyt-1924-07-20" /> There are also flat [[pilaster]]s on the western facade, along Nassau Street.<ref name="NYCL-0047" />

=== Rotunda ===
[[File:Federal Hall NYC.jpg|thumb|upright|Main hall of the memorial]]
The main rotunda of Federal Hall is {{Convert|60|ft||abbr=}} in diameter.<ref name="Lee p. 19" /><ref name="Kobbe p. 104" /> The rotunda is designed as an [[amphiprostyle]]: it has balconies on four sides, but it lacks columns between each balcony.<ref name="Reynolds p. 80" /> The wall of the rotunda contains four sections of colonnade, each containing four columns.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /><ref name="Lee p. 19" /><ref name="Kobbe p. 104" /> The columns each measure {{convert|32|ft}} high and {{convert|5|ft|8|in}} across.<ref name="Reynolds p. 80" /> The southern colonnade leads to the main entrance, while the northern colonnade leads to the primary hallway of the building. The outer walls of the eastern and western colonnades contain plainly designed windows. There are gilded-iron balconies behind each colonnade. Between the colonnades are short sections of flat wall, situated between flat [[pilaster]]s.<ref name="NYCL p. 2" /> The pilasters measure {{convert|25|ft}} high.<ref name="Lee p. 19" /> Above the balconies are [[barrel vault]]ed ceilings.<ref name="NYCL p. 3">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|ps=.|p=3}}</ref> The rotunda had contained four Carrara-marble counters when it was used as the Custom House.<ref name="p1243121758" />

The rotunda is topped by a self-supporting masonry [[saucer dome]] with a [[skylight]] at its center. The dome contains narrow panels with curved bottoms, as well as [[anthemion]] motifs at their top and bottom ends. The skylight is surrounded by raised [[Rosette (design)|rosettes]].<ref name="NYCL pp. 2-3">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975|ps=.|pp=2–3}}</ref><ref name="Reynolds p. 82">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=82}}</ref> The decorations were originally in a gold, blue, and white color scheme.<ref name="Reynolds p. 82" /> The floor of the rotunda contains gray and cream marble blocks in concentric circles. At the center of the floor is a stone slab, where George Washington once stood.<ref name="NYCL p. 3" />

== Activities ==
The National Park Service operates Federal Hall as a national memorial. The memorial has tourist information about the New York Harbor area's federal monuments and parks, and a New York City tourism information center. The gift shop has colonial and early American items for sale. Normally its exhibit galleries are open free to the public daily, except national holidays, and guided tours of the site are offered throughout the day.<ref name="Federal Hall National Memorial 2021">{{cite web |date=November 4, 2021 |title=Operating Hours & Seasons |url=https://www.nps.gov/feha/planyourvisit/hours.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504162448/https://www.nps.gov/feha/planyourvisit/hours.htm |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=Federal Hall National Memorial |publisher=National Park Service)}}</ref>

The memorial has several permanent exhibits.<ref name="Reynolds p. 53" /> These include ''George Washington's Inauguration Gallery'', including the [[Bible]] used to swear his [[oath of office]]; ''Freedom of the Press'', the imprisonment and trial of [[John Peter Zenger]]; and ''New York: An American Capital'', preview exhibit created by the [[National Archives and Records Administration]].<ref name="National Park Planner 2020">{{cite web |date=May 28, 2020 |title=Washington Inaugural Gallery Museum |url=https://npplan.com/parks-by-state/new-york-national-parks/federal-hall-national-memorial-park-at-a-glance/federal-hall-national-memorial-washington-inaugural-gallery-museum/ |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=National Park Planner}}</ref> Among the items displayed are a piece of the balcony upon which Washington stood in his first inauguration.<ref name="Reynolds p. 53" /><ref name="Federal Hall National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) 20152">{{cite web |date=May 28, 2015 |title=Inaugural Balcony |url=https://www.nps.gov/feha/learn/historyculture/inaugural-balcony.htm |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=Federal Hall National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419124757/https://www.nps.gov/feha/learn/historyculture/inaugural-balcony.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Various temporary exhibitions have also been shown at Federal Hall.<ref name="Federal Hall 2022">{{cite web |date=July 26, 2022 |title=The Art of Democracy |url=https://federalhall.org/the-art-of-democracy/ |access-date=August 12, 2022 |website=Federal Hall |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628161923/https://federalhall.org/the-art-of-democracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For instance, in 2023 the building hosted a [[site-specific theatre]] performance, '' The Democracy Project''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Soloski|first=Alexis|date=June 30, 2023|title='The Democracy Project' Puts America Onstage, Warts and All|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/theater/the-democracy-project-federal-hall.html|access-date=May 8, 2024|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Access ==
Federal Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and is closed on weekends. The memorial is compliant with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990]] via a ramp at its rear, on Pine Street. The [[M55 (New York City bus)|M55]] bus stops nearby on [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]], while the [[M15 (New York City bus)|M15]] and [[M15 SBS (New York City bus)|M15 SBS]] stop nearby on [[Water Street (Manhattan)|Water Street]]. In addition, the [[Broad Street station (BMT Nassau Street Line)|Broad Street station]] of the [[New York City Subway]], serving the {{NYCS trains|Nassau south}}, is directly under Federal Hall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/feha/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm|title=Basic Information – Federal Hall National Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)|website=www.nps.gov|language=en|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703111317/https://www.nps.gov/feha/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The memorial had an estimated 200,000 annual visitors by 2015,<!--more recent figures unavailable as of 2025--> representing about one percent of the 15 million people who visited the intersection of Wall, Nassau, and Broad Streets every year.<ref name="nyt-2015-12-02" /><ref name="POLITICO 1970">{{cite web |date=December 3, 2015 |title=Politico New York Playbook, Presented by Nuclear Matters: Cuomo, De Blasio Settle Something – Daily News Dramatic Cover – Quinn's Hillary Fundraiser |url=https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/new-york-playbook/2015/12/politico-new-york-playbook-presented-by-nuclear-matters-cuomo-de-blasio-settle-something-daily-news-dramatic-cover-quinns-hillary-fundraiser-211553 |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=POLITICO |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502043035/https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/new-york-playbook/2015/12/politico-new-york-playbook-presented-by-nuclear-matters-cuomo-de-blasio-settle-something-daily-news-dramatic-cover-quinns-hillary-fundraiser-211553 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==On U.S. postage==
[[File:Alexander Hamilton-3c.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Issue of 1957]]
Engraved renditions of Federal Hall appear on multiple U.S. postage stamps. The first stamp showing Federal Hall was issued on April 30, 1939, the [[Presidents of the United States on U.S. postage stamps|150th anniversary of President Washington's inauguration]], where he is depicted on the balcony of Federal Hall taking the oath of office.<ref name="National Postal Museum 2020">{{cite web |date=January 10, 2020 |title=Washington Inauguration Issue |url=https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/about-us-stamps-bureau-period-1894-1939-commemorative-issues-1938-1939/washington |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=National Postal Museum |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423093506/https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/about-us-stamps-bureau-period-1894-1939-commemorative-issues-1938-1939/washington |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 1939 |title=1789 Inaugural Stamps Go on Sale Here Today |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/30/archives/1789-inaugural-stamps-go-on-sale-here-today.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503195528/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/04/30/archives/1789-inaugural-stamps-go-on-sale-here-today.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The second issue was released in 1957, the 200th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton's birth.  This issue depicts [[Alexander Hamilton]] and a full view of Federal Hall.<ref name="WhiteHouseArchives">{{cite web|title=The Presidents|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/about/presidents/|work=The White House|date=February 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4RPCssvpWlQC&pg=PA157|title=Postage Stamps of the United States: An Illustrated Description of All United States Postage and Special Service Stamps Issued by the Post Office Department from July 1, 1847 to December 31, 1965|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1966|series=P.O.D. publication|page=157|access-date=February 6, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407191236/https://books.google.com/books?id=4RPCssvpWlQC&pg=PA157|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition, in 1988, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative 25-cent stamp in 1988, the 200th anniversary of when New York [[Ratification of the United States Constitution|ratified the United States Constitution]]. The stamp depicted the original Federal Hall, Wall Street, and Trinity Church's steeple.<ref name="nyt-1988-07-28">{{Cite news |last=James |first=George |date=July 28, 1988 |title=Stamp Recalls Ratification Of Constitution – Again |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/28/nyregion/stamp-recalls-ratification-of-constitution-again.html |access-date=August 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812231159/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/28/nyregion/stamp-recalls-ratification-of-constitution-again.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="187px" heights="225px">
File:Federal Hall back jeh.jpg|View from north
File:Washington's inaugural Bible, 1789 IMG 1702.JPG|The [[George Washington Inaugural Bible]], on which Washington took his inaugural oath in 1789
File:Federal_Hall_George_Washington_in_Prayer.JPG|Brass relief of Washington kneeling in prayer
File:DSCN3504 ohiocompany e.JPG|Plaque commemorating the [[Northwest Ordinance]] and the establishment of the state of [[Ohio]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of national memorials of the United States]]
* [[List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan below 14th Street]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan below 14th Street]]

{{clear}}

==References==
{{notelist}}

'''Notes'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
* {{cite web|title=Federal Hall National Memorial Interior|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0887.pdf|publisher=New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission|date=May 27, 1975|ref={{harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1975}}}}
* {{cite book|last=Kobbe|first=Gustav|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=coUC4QotqA0C|title=New York and Its Environs|publisher=Harper & Brothers|year=1891|isbn=|location=}}
* {{cite book | last=Lee | first=Antoinette J. | title=Architects to the Nation: The Rise and Decline of the Supervising Architect's Office | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2000 | isbn=978-0-19-535186-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hjDZz87NF8AC&pg=PA18 }}
* {{cite book |last=Macaulay-Lewis |first=Elizabeth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwyjzQEACAAJ |title=Antiquity in Gotham: The Ancient Architecture of New York City |date=2021 |publisher=Fordham University Press |isbn=978-0-8232-9384-1 |oclc=1176326519}}
* {{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Donald |title=The Architecture of New York City: Histories and Views of Important Structures, Sites, and Symbols |publisher=J. Wiley |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-471-01439-3 |publication-place=New York |oclc=45730295}}
* {{Cite New York 2000}}
* ''The National Parks: Index 2001–2003''. Washington: [[United States Department of the Interior|U.S. Department of the Interior]].

==External links==
* {{official|http://www.nps.gov/feha/}}, National Park Service
* [http://federalhall.org/ Federal Hall]
* [http://nyharborparks.org/visit/feha.html Federal Hall Visitor Information], National Parks of NY Harbor Conservancy
* [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/nyc.html Library of Congress – The New Capital City]
* [https://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/NY0363/ U. S. Custom House, 28 Wall Street, New York, NY], [[Historic American Buildings Survey]]
** Engraving: [http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchdetail.cfm?trg=1&strucID=690865&imageID=801606&total=2&num=0&word=Washington%2C%20George%2C%201732-1799%20--%20Inauguration%2C%201789&s=3&notword=&d=&c=&f=2&k=0&lWord=&lField=&sScope=&sLevel=&sLabel=&imgs=20&pos=2&e=r Federal Hall, The Seat of Congress]
* Lithograph: [https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/91481734 A View of the Federal Hall, 1797]

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