Federal Hall, NY: 1789 Federal Hall that you see today is actually the third building on this site. Originally, the building was New York’s second City Hall. The Zenger Trial which established Freedom of the Press was held there. After the Revolutionary War, Congress met there and it became the Nation’s first Capital. George Washington gave the renovation project to Pierre L’Enfant who was then a young engineer on his staff as his first architectural commission. Washington was inaugurated on its balcony in 1789

The Commons: The Heart of New York City: The Commons has effectively been America’s town square since the Dutch landed. Virtually every major event of local, national, or global significance has played out in some way on this stage. This tour captures the multiple and overlapping stories that are woven throughout our city’s life, from politics and religion to social protest and parades, and to art and architecture.