New York - Federal Hall National Memorial

The Federal Hall stands on the site of the first U.S. Capitol. A bronze statue of George Washington stands on the steps outside. Washington was inaugurated here in 1789. Display rooms off the Rotunda include the Bill of Rights Room and an interactive computer exhibit about the Constitution.

The current structure on the site was built as the Customs House in 1834-1842. In 1862, Customs moved to 55 Wall Street and the building became the U. S. Subtreasury. Millions of dollars of gold and silver were kept in the basement vaults until the Federal Reserve Bank replaced the Subtreasury system.