Rotunda of the U. S. Customs building, aka Federal Hall

The George Washington Inaugural Gallery museum is housed in the former U. S. Customs House that was built between 1834 and 1842. It stands on the site of Federal Hall, which was the U. S. Capitol building when Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. Federal Hall was torn down in 1812, and the Customs House took its place at 29 Wall Street a few decades later. It has served as a museum since 1939.

The Washington Inauguration Gallery museum is open for self-exploration whenever Federal Hall National Memorial is open, and by Ranger-guided tour four times each day, currently 10 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM. Tours last about a half hour. However, times can always changes, so before making travel plans be sure to get the current schedule on the National Park Service’s official Guided Tours web page for Federal Hall. The only thing to be aware of regarding the tours is that if you have a group of 10 to 30 people, you must make a reservation at least two weeks in advance. Call (212) 825-6990 for more information.

When I first heard about the guided tours, I couldn’t really imagine what a tour could consist of, for after all, Federal Hall isn’t really Federal Hall. Was this to be a tour of the 1842 Customs House? As it turns out, the term “guided tour” should really be “lecture” or “Ranger talk,” for what the tour consists of is a Ranger taking a group around some of the various rooms while discussing the American Revolution, Federal Hall’s role in the early government, and what happened to the building after the capital was moved to Philadelphia. In truth, the talk could have been given in the rotunda and the end result would have been the same. Thus, if you can catch a tour, I definitely recommend it, but I wouldn’t schedule your day around one. The printed materials and exhibits in the museum give a perfectly fine overview of Federal Hall and its history. Also keep in mind that you can talk with a Ranger about the building and Washington’s inauguration at anytime during your visit.

All visitor areas are accessible to those in wheelchairs or with other mobility issues. A ramp into the building is located at the rear entrance at 15 Pine Street, and elevators run between the upper and lower floors.

Upon entering the building you will find yourself in a massive rotunda. The most important exhibit in regard to Washington’s inauguration is located opposite the main entrance on Wall Street. When the original Federal Hall was torn down, somebody had the foresight to save part of the balcony on which Washington stood when being sworn in. This slab is now on display along with a part of the balcony railing.

Balcony slab is located to the right of the main hallway

Part of the balcony on which George Washington stood when being sworn in

Outside the building is a statue of George Washington that supposedly marks the approximate position and height of the balcony. Most people don’t realize this and only think of it as another George Washington statue.

George Washington statue near the entrance to the former Customs House

The other major inauguration artifact in the museum is the bible used by Washington during the ceremony. The story goes that when it came time for the inauguration to begin, there was no bible available. Thus, officials borrowed one from the nearby St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 1 since it was the closest source with a bible. Others argue that since St. John’s was not associated with a particular religion, Washington chose to borrow its bible so not to unofficially endorse any one religion. The bible still belongs to St. John’s Lodge and is on loan for display at Federal Hall National Memorial. However, St. John’s uses it for special events from time to time, so if you are coming to Federal Hall specifically to see the bible, be sure to call and ask it if is on display: (212) 668-2277.

Bible used in George Washington’s inauguration

As you can imagine, there aren’t a lot of artifacts from 1789, and coupled with the fact that Federal Hall was torn down in 1812, there’s no way that a building the size of the Customs House is going to be filled with inauguration memorabilia. The museum contains exhibits on a number of different topics, many that focus on the current building’s use over the years. From 1862 through 1920, the building served as a U. S. sub-treasury building that stored millions of dollars in gold and silver. One room on display was converted into a bank vault by order of President Abraham Lincoln. You can see the original vault doors. There are other vaults around the rotunda, and even more on the lower level of the building.

Bank vault used when the building was part of the U. S. Sub-treasury system

Located in a room off of the main hallway are models of the original Federal Hall and the Customs House. Federal Hall opened in 1703 as a city hall to house the British royal governor’s council and assembly. It became the U. S. Capitol Building in 1785 when the country was still governed by the Articles of Confederation. In 1788, plans were made to expand and remodel the building, and it was renamed Federal Hall. New York City was the capital only until 1790, and after that the building returned to being a city government building.

Main hallway on the main level of the Customs House

City Hall as constructed in the early 1700s

Remodeled Federal Hall

You will also find an early printing press and other printing equipment on display. This relates to the trial of John Peter Zenger in 1735. Zenger was a newspaper publisher who reported unfavorably about the Royal Governor and was brought up on libel charges. He was found innocent, and his case helped set the precedent for freedom of the press.

Printing press exhibit

There is one other room that contains old maps and architectural drawings of Federal Hall and the Customs House, plus paintings pertaining to the inauguration.

Painting of George Washington’s inauguration

A thorough visit to Federal Hall National Memorial takes about two hours, though the National Park Service recommends allotting a half hour, which will do fine for most people. This is essentially a museum, so time spent at the park all depends on your interest in the subject matter. Most visitors tend to enter the building out of curiosity, spend a few minutes looking around, and then leave. Nobody is aware that tours exist, and most people who join one do so simply because they walked in just as one was beginning. I was the only person on the tour I went on, despite it being a few days after the Fourth of July when the summer season was in full swing.

Tourists taking a photo at the George Washington statue

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