Congress Hall

Originally built (1787 to 1789) to serve as the Philadelphia County Courthouse, “Congress Hall” became the seat of the U.S. government between December of 1790 and May of 1800. Congress had been meeting in Philadelphia since 1775 (at Independence Hall next door) but moved to Princeton, N.J. in 1783 following the Pennsylvania Mutiny ( a protest by nearly 400 soldiers of the Continental Army over not having been paid during the American Revolutionary War). It then relocated several more times; to Annapolis, Md, Trenton N.J., and finally (in 1785) to New York City. In July of 1790, Congress had passed the “Residence Act” establishing the District of Columbia (between Maryland and Virginia) as the new federal capital. A senator from Pennsylvania convinced Congress to set the temporary capital in Philadelphia while the permanent capital was being constructed. In anticipation of this relocation to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania authorities expanded the county courthouse to be the new home of Congress. The first level was to serve as the House of Representatives’ chamber, while the second floor was reserved for the U.S. Senate chamber. Over time, this building became known as “Congress Hall.” Sitting next to Independence Hall, it makes up part of the Independence National Historic Park.

Sitting on the corner of Chestnut and 6th streets, the original Philadelphia County Courthouse became the temporary capital of the U.S. for ten years. As such, it became known as “Congress Hall.”

With Independence Hall nearby, Congress Hall is part of the Independence National Historic Park.

Archival painting of historic park complex...

...and the same scene in a 1937 photo.

Taken from the public gallery, this is the House of Representatives chamber on the ground floor.

In the hallway outside the House Chamber are the stairs to the second floor...

...where the Senate chamber is.