
The first building on this site was built in 1700 as New York's City Hall.
In October 1765 the Stamp Act Congress met in this building. Congress was the first colonial action against a British measure and was formed to protest the Stamp Act issued by British Parliament on March 1765.
In October 1765 the Stamp Act Congress met in this building. Congress was the first colonial action against a British measure and was formed to protest the Stamp Act issued by British Parliament on March 1765.
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The model of New York city hall built in 1700 |
British government
invented the doctrine of "virtual
representation" in attempt to
legitimize the policies of the Stamp Act. Many Colonists saw it as a direct violation
of their rights. Virtual representation was wholly rejected in the colonies,
who said the "virtual" was a cover for political corruption.
There were 27 representatives of nine of the thirteen
colonies (that eventually formed the United States of America ) attending congress. On October 19, 1765 the Stamp Act Congress
adopted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which stated among other things
that only the colonial assemblies had a right to
tax the colonies.
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The model of remodeled building |
Hoping to convince the new Congress to make New York the
capital local businessmen contributed funding for a major expansion of the city
hall. In 1788, the building was remodeled and enlarged under the direction of
Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who was later selected by President George Washington
to design the capital city on the Potomac River.

Rudolph Von Dorsten was the Secretary of the Dutch Legation
in New York City and describes Washington's entrance into the city: "President George Washington made his entry into New
York on Thursday, April 23d. On the previous day a barge left this city. The
barge was built expressly by the citizens of New York, and was rowed by
thirteen pilots, all dressed in white. A committee of three Senators and five
Representatives on behalf of Congress, and three of the first officers on
behalf of New York, went to Elizabethtown in New Jersey, to welcome the
President, and to await his arrival there. His Excellency was also accompanied
by some well-equipped sloops and by a multitude of small craft with citizens of
New Jersey and New York on board"

St. John's Lodge No.1 is the oldest operating Masonic Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New York F&AM. The Lodge is active and have meetings every month on third Thursday between September and May on the 6th floor of Masonic Hall in Manhattan.


The building today houses a very small museum. Park rangers inside help to answer questions. Federal Hall a nice place to visit for 30 minutes if you have interest in early American history. The hall is open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. It is free and there are restrooms inside.