Federal Hall, 1789

Federal Hall in New York City was built in 1703 as the original city hall. the building was the seat of American government from 1785 to 1790, housing the 1st United States Congress after a major renovation in 1788. George Washington was inaugurated as the 1st president on the building's balcony and the bill of rights was written and signed inside the building in 1789. in 1790 Congress authorized a new capital to be built along the Potomac River (Washington D.C.) and to move to Philadelphia in the meantime. unfortunately Federal Hall was demolished in 1812 to make way for a customs house. today the site houses a museum containing artifacts related to the original structure including a portion of the original balcony that Washington was inaugurated on.