Congress Hall

Introduction

Congress Hall sits within Independence National Historical Park, built 1787-89 as the Philadelphia County Courthouse and serving from 1790 to 1800 as the U.S. Capitol while Philadelphia was the temporary capital. The House and Senate met here, George Washington was inaugurated for his second term here, and John Adams took the oath of office in this building. Designed by Samuel Lewis, the red-brick Federal-style exterior gives way to interiors restored to their 18th-century appearance, with both legislative chambers open to visitors. Congress Hall is a tangible witness to the early operation of American democracy and, with Independence Hall across the mall, forms the core of the nation's founding site, an essential stop for understanding the origins of U.S. constitutional government.

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