Congress Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congress Hall |
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(2024)
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| Former names | Philadelphia County Courthouse |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Location | Chestnut Street at 6th, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°56′57″N 75°09′03″W / 39.9491°N 75.1507°W |
| Current tenants | National Park Service |
| Construction started | 1787 |
| Completed | 1789 |
| Owner | City of Philadelphia |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Samuel Lewis |
Congress Hall is a very important building in Philadelphia. It is located at Chestnut and 6th Streets. This building was the home of the United States Congress from December 6, 1790, to May 14, 1800.
During these ten years, many big things happened here. The country welcomed three new states: Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The Bill of Rights was also approved here. This is a list of important freedoms for Americans. Both George Washington (for his second term) and John Adams became president in this building.
Today, Congress Hall looks much like it did in 1796. The National Park Service takes care of it. It is part of the Independence National Historical Park. You can even take tours inside! Congress Hall is right next to Independence Hall, another famous historic building.
Contents
Why Philadelphia Was Chosen
Philadelphia was the capital of the United States during and after the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Congress met in Independence Hall next door. But in 1783, some angry soldiers caused trouble. The government could not protect Congress. So, the capital moved to other cities. It went to Princeton, New Jersey, then Annapolis, Maryland, and Trenton, New Jersey. Finally, it moved to New York City in 1785.
In 1787, state leaders came back to Philadelphia. They met for the Constitutional Convention. Here, they wrote the United States Constitution. But New York City was still the official capital. Congress Hall was built around this time. It was designed by Samuel Lewis. It was first meant to be the courthouse for Philadelphia County. Construction started in 1787 and finished in 1789.
A Temporary Home for Congress
The new United States Constitution said that Congress could create a special area for the national capital. This would be a "federal district." In 1790, Congress was meeting in New York. They passed a law called the Residence Act. This law created the District of Columbia. It was on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. This new place would be the permanent capital.
But a senator from Pennsylvania, Robert Morris, convinced Congress to come back to Philadelphia. This would be a temporary home while the new capital was being built. So, the Residence Act also said Philadelphia would be the capital for ten years.
Philadelphia wanted Congress to stay forever. They started building a new presidential palace. They also made the county courthouse bigger. This expanded building became Congress Hall. When Congress returned to Philadelphia on December 6, 1790, Congress Hall was ready. The first floor became the meeting room for the House of Representatives. The second floor was for the United States Senate.
Even with these new buildings, Philadelphia could not convince Congress to stay. The national government moved to Washington, D.C. on May 14, 1800. Congress Hall was no longer the capitol building.
Inside Congress Hall
The first floor holds the House chamber. It is a simple room with mahogany desks and leather chairs. Over time, 106 representatives from 16 states met here. These included the original 13 states. Plus, new representatives from Vermont (1791), Kentucky (1792), and Tennessee (1796) joined. The room has been restored to look like it did in 1796.
The second floor is the Senate chamber. This room is more fancy. It has heavy red drapes. By 1796, it had 32 secretary desks. These desks are very similar to the ones still used in the United States Capitol today. Twenty-eight of the desks in Congress Hall are original!
In nearby committee rooms, you can see portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. These were gifts from the French king after the American Revolution. On the ceiling, there is a painting of an American bald eagle. It holds an olive branch, which means peace. Also on the ceiling, a plaster design shows a sunburst with 13 stars. These stars stand for the original 13 colonies.
This design is also on the floor. A carpet made by William Sprague, a local weaver, shows the shields of the 13 original states. The carpet you see today is a copy of the original.
Important Events and Legacy
Congress Hall was the nation's capital for almost ten years. Many historic things happened here. Three new states joined the country. The United States Bill of Rights was approved.
George Washington had his second inauguration in the House chamber in 1793. John Adams also became president here in 1797. Congress also created important parts of the government. They set up the First Bank of the United States. They also created the Federal Mint (where money is made). And they started the United States Department of the Navy. The Jay Treaty, which helped keep peace with Great Britain, was also approved here in 1796.
After the capital moved to Washington, D.C., Congress Hall became a courthouse again. It was used for state and federal courts in the early 1800s. Another courthouse, the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey, was built in 1796. It was designed to look like Congress Hall.
Restoration and Today
After being a courthouse, Congress Hall became old and worn down. In 1870, a law was passed to tear down buildings around Independence Hall. But this law was never followed. It was officially canceled in 1895.
A group called The Colonial Dames of America helped start restoring Congress Hall. Architect George Champlin Mason Jr. worked on it in 1895-96. This work mostly fixed up the Senate chamber. In 1900, another group, the Philadelphia chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), started studying the building. They raised money for a full restoration.
The City of Philadelphia approved the project in 1912. The AIA watched over the work. It was finished the next year. President Woodrow Wilson officially opened the building again. More work was done on the House chamber in 1934.
In 1942, many groups came together to form the Independence Hall Association. This group worked to create Independence National Historical Park. Congress approved the park in 1948. It was officially set up on July 4, 1956.
Today, the National Park Service takes care of Congress Hall. They offer guided tours of the building all year. You can visit and learn about its history.
On December 2, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama met with governors in Congress Hall. They talked about the economic problems facing the country at that time.
See also
In Spanish: Congress Hall para niños
- List of state and county courthouses in Pennsylvania
