Congress Hall

Congress Hall

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 6, 1790 to May 14, 1800

Chestnut St & 6th Street
Philadelphia,  PA 19106

Congress Hall: The Seat of Early American Government and a Witness to History

Congress Hall, located at the corner of Chestnut and 6th Streets in Philadelphia, stands as a landmark of the United States’ formative years. Originally built as the Philadelphia County Courthouse, the building was designed by architect Samuel Lewis. Construction began in 1787 and was completed in 1789, showcasing an elegant Georgian brick style. However, its purpose changed dramatically after Congress passed the Act for Establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States. Signed into law by President George Washington on July 16, 1790, this act designated Philadelphia as the nation’s temporary capital from 1790 to 1800, while a new permanent capital was constructed in Washington, D.C.[^1]

The Act for Establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States, often referred to as the Residence Act, is a cornerstone in American legislative history. Passed on July 16, 1790, this act authorized the establishment of a permanent U.S. capital along the Potomac River—what would become Washington, D.C.—to be ready within ten years. In the interim, it designated Philadelphia as the temporary capital from 1790 to 1800, a period during which Congress convened in Congress Hall at 6th and Chestnut Streets.

This significant document is preserved in An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera, an extraordinary collection that showcases America’s cultural and political history. The Residence Act embodies the spirit of compromise that was crucial to the early governance of the United States. It resolved heated debates over the location of the federal capital and solidified the new government’s ability to address state debts, thus uniting the nation under the new constitutional framework.

The act is a vivid reminder of the foundational compromises brokered by key figures like Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. Their agreement—the famous "Compromise of 1790"—ensured the federal assumption of state debts in exchange for placing the capital on the Potomac River, reflecting the delicate balancing act between Northern and Southern interests in the post-Revolutionary era.

The preserved copy of the Residence Act, along with other pivotal documents in the American Time Capsule collection, provides valuable insights into the legislative and cultural milestones that shaped the United States.

From December 6, 1790, to May 14, 1800, Congress Hall served as the meeting place of the U.S. Congress. The House of Representatives convened on the first floor, while the Senate assembled on the second floor. This modest yet stately building became the stage for pivotal moments in U.S. history, including significant legislative achievements, ceremonial inaugurations, and events that shaped the future of the young republic.[^2]

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Congress Hall, Interior, Second Floor,  Senate Chamber -  Independence National Historical Park Picture

A Legislative Hub

The layout of Congress Hall reflected its dual role as the meeting place for both chambers of Congress. On the first floor, the House of Representatives chamber featured a semi-circular arrangement of desks, where Speaker Frederick A. Muhlenberg presided over sessions from an elevated armchair. The furniture, crafted from mahogany, included leather-bottomed chairs, and the room was warmed by two large fireplaces. Visitors gathered to observe debates from a gallery located at the north end of the hall. The windows at the south end provided views of Philadelphia’s Mall, adding a touch of openness to the chamber’s otherwise formal atmosphere.[^3]

Upstairs, the Senate chamber was more refined and elaborate. As Theophilus Bradbury, a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, described in a letter to his daughter on December 26, 1795:

"The Senate chamber is over the south end of the hall; the Vice President's chair is in an area (like the altar in a church) at the south end. The senators' seats, two rows of desks and chairs, in a semi-circle, but not raised from the floor. The floors of both halls are covered with woolen carpets. The lower room is elegant, but the [upper] chamber much more so. You ascend the stairs leading to the chamber at the north end, and pass through an entry, having committee rooms on each side; in that on the east side of the Senate chamber is a full-length picture of the King of France, and in the opposite room is one of his Queen. They were presented by the King."[^4]

The chamber’s grandeur extended to its Axminster carpet, custom-made to feature the Great Seal of the United States. Green Venetian blinds and crimson damask curtains adorned the chamber’s 13 windows, while candles on desks provided light for evening sessions. This opulence reflected the dignity of the Senate’s deliberative role.[^5]

Congress Hall, First Floor, House of Representatives Chamber - Independence National Historical Park Picture

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Pivotal Moments at Congress Hall

Congress Hall was the venue for several historic milestones, cementing its legacy in the nation’s history:

1. Presidential Inaugurations
   Congress Hall hosted the second-term inaugurations of President George Washington and Vice President John Adams in 1793. Later, on March 4, 1797, John Adams was inaugurated as the second President of the United States, marking the first peaceful transfer of power between presidents in U.S. history.[^6]

2. Legislative Achievements
   During its tenure as the U.S. Capitol, Congress passed key legislation, including the establishment of the First Bank of the United States, the Federal Mint, and the Department of the Navy. These measures laid the foundation for a strong national government and economic system.[^7]

3. Jay’s Treaty
   One of the most controversial yet impactful treaties of the period, Jay’s Treaty with Great Britain, was ratified in Congress Hall in 1796. Negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay, the treaty sought to resolve lingering conflicts from the Revolutionary War, promote trade, and avert another war with Britain. While it faced fierce opposition, particularly from those aligned with Jeffersonian Republicans, the treaty ultimately strengthened U.S.-British relations and underscored the Senate’s role in foreign policy.[^8]

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A Nation Mourns: Washington’s Memorial

On December 26, 1799, Congress Hall became the site of a solemn gathering to honor George Washington, who had passed away at Mount Vernon on December 14. Members of Congress assembled in the House chamber before proceeding to a joint memorial service at Philadelphia’s German Lutheran Church. Representative Henry Lee delivered an oration to an audience of over 4,000 mourners, including President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams. In his eulogy, Lee declared:

"Where shall I begin in opening your view to a character throughout sublime? Shall I speak of his warlike achievements, all springing from obedience to his country’s will—all directed to his country’s good? First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."[^9]

Following the service, Congress adjourned for the day, reflecting the profound impact of Washington’s death on the young nation.

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The Supreme Court at Congress Hall

From 1791 to August 15, 1800, the Supreme Court of the United States also convened at Congress Hall. This marked a critical period in the development of the judiciary, with Chief Justices John Jay, John Rutledge, and Oliver Ellsworth presiding over sessions. Associate justices, including James Wilson and Bushrod Washington, deliberated on cases that would shape the nation’s legal framework. The court’s presence highlighted Congress Hall’s central role in all three branches of government during this period.[^10]

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Legacy and Preservation

Congress Hall remained in use after the federal government moved to Washington, D.C., serving as a courthouse for federal and local courts. In the 19th century, efforts to restore the building began, with the aim of preserving its historical significance. Today, Congress Hall stands as a meticulously restored site, offering visitors a glimpse into its time as the nation’s Capitol.

The building’s history is a testament to the formative years of the United States, where leaders shaped the future of the republic, debated critical issues, and laid the groundwork for the constitutional government that continues to this day.

In 2017, the National Collegiate Honors Council’s (NCHC) Partners in the Park program brought its Independence Hall Class to Philadelphia, where they gathered in front of Congress Hall. Pictured is Ranger Ed Welch alongside a student holding the 1789 Acts of Congress, opened to the section detailing the Act for Establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States. Passed on July 16, 1790, this pivotal legislation selected a site along the Potomac River as the permanent capital—what would later become Washington, D.C.—to be completed within ten years. Until then, the act designated Philadelphia as the temporary capital of the United States for a period of ten years.

The Residence Act, as it became known, was the product of a crucial compromise brokered by Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. In exchange for establishing the nation’s permanent capital on the Potomac River, Madison agreed not to obstruct Hamilton’s proposal for the federal government to assume the states' Revolutionary War debts. This agreement, often referred to as the "Compromise of 1790," helped solidify the financial and political foundations of the new federal government while resolving contentious debates over regional influence and governance.

The 2017 Partners in the Park visit to Congress Hall underscored the building’s vital role during this era, serving as the location where the U.S. Congress debated and enacted foundational legislation like the Residence Act. Congress Hall remains a symbol of the compromises and decisions that defined the early years of the United States government. 

For more information, visit the NCHC Partners in the Park 2017 program.

Footnotes

1. Act for Establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States, 1790, U.S. Congressional Records.
2. US House Historical Highlights, Congress Hall’s Role, National Archives.
3. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. VIII, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1884, pp. 223–230.
4. Theophilus Bradbury to his daughter, December 26, 1795, in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, pp. 223–230.
5. US Senate Historian: The Senate Moves to Philadelphia.
6. Inauguration details: Historical Highlights of Congress Hall, National Park Service.
7. Legislative achievements: Journals of Congress, Philadelphia Era, National Archives.
8. Jay’s Treaty ratification: US Senate Records, Foreign Policy in Congress Hall.
9. Henry Lee’s memorial oration for George Washington: US House Historical Highlights.
10. Supreme Court cases at Congress Hall: Supreme Court Records, 1791–1800.

 

 

Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents 

Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776

Peyton Randolph	September 5, 1774	October 22, 1774
Henry Middleton	October 22, 1774	October 26, 1774
Peyton Randolph	May 20, 1775	May 24, 1775
John Hancock	May 25, 1775	July 1, 1776

Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America

George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783

Continental Congress of the United States Presidents 
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781

John Hancock	July 2, 1776	October 29, 1777
Henry Laurens	November 1, 1777	December 9, 1778
John Jay	December 10, 1778	September 28, 1779
Samuel Huntington	September 29, 1779	February 28, 1781

Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789

Samuel Huntington	March 1, 1781	July 6, 1781
Samuel Johnston	July 10, 1781	Declined Office
Thomas McKean	July 10, 1781	November 4, 1781
John Hanson	November 5, 1781	November 3, 1782
Elias Boudinot	November 4, 1782	November 2, 1783
Thomas Mifflin	November 3, 1783	June 3, 1784
Richard Henry Lee	November 30, 1784	November 22, 1785
John Hancock	November 23, 1785	June 5, 1786
Nathaniel Gorham	June 6, 1786	February 1, 1787
Arthur St. Clair	February 2, 1787	January 21, 1788
Cyrus Griffin	January 22, 1788	January 21, 1789

Articles of Confederation Congress
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions

USCA	Session Dates	USCA Convene Date	President(s)
First	03-01-1781 to 11-04-1781*	03-02-1781	Samuel Huntington &  Thomas McKean
Second	11-05-1781 to 11-03-1782	11-05-1781	John Hanson
Third	11-04-1782 to 11-02-1783	11-04-1782	Elias Boudinot
Fourth	11-03-1783 to 10-31-1784	11-03-1783	Thomas Mifflin
Fifth	11-01-1784 to 11-06-1785	11-29-1784	Richard Henry Lee
Sixth	11-07-1785 to 11-05-1786	11-23-1785	John Hancock &  Nathaniel Gorham
Seventh	11-06-1786 to 11-04-1787	02-02-1787	Arthur St. Clair
Eighth	11-05-1787 to 11-02-1788	01-21-1788	Cyrus Griffin
Ninth	11-03-1788 to 03-03-1789**	None	None

* The Articles of Confederation was ratified by the mandated 13th State on February 2, 1781, and the dated adopted by the Continental Congress to commence the new  United States in Congress Assembled government was March 1, 1781.  The USCA convened under the Articles of Confederation Constitution on March 2, 1781.  

** On September 14, 1788, the Eighth United States in Congress Assembled resolved that March 4th, 1789, would be commencement date of the Constitution of 1787's federal government thus dissolving the USCA on March 3rd, 1789.

Presidents of the United States of America

1789 - Present

POTUS - CLICK HERE

United Colonies and States First Ladies

1774 - Present

FLOTUS - CLICK HERE

Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America

Philadelphia	Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774	City Tavern & Carpenter’s Hall
Philadelphia	May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776	Pennsylvania State House
Baltimore	Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777	Henry Fite’s House
Philadelphia	March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777	Pennsylvania State House
Lancaster	September 27, 1777	Lancaster  Court House
York	Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778	York-town Court House
Philadelphia	July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783	College Hall - PA State House
Princeton	June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783	Prospect House - Nassau Hall
Annapolis	Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784	Maryland, State House
Trenton	Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784	French Arms Tavern
New York City	Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788	New York City Hall
New York City	October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789	Walter Livingston House
New York City	March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790	Federal Hall
Philadelphia	Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800	Congress Hall
Washington DC	November 17,1800 to Present	Two US Capitol Buildings

Chart Comparing Presidential Powers - Click Here

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Edited: Open AI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model] - https://chatgpt.com