Congress Hall Philadelphia

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Location: Chestnut and 6th Sts., Philadelphia

Congress Hall in Philadelphia is a Federal-style building, constructed between 1787-1789, and is the sight of so much history that walking into its hallowed halls should invoke goose bumps on any visitor!

Located just to the right of Independence Hall, Congress Hall housed the Senate and the House of Representatives between 1790 and 1800. During those years, George Washington was inaugurated there for his second term, John Adams for his first term, and The Bill of Rights was ratified in Congress Hall.

The states of Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee were also admitted to the Union while the building was in use. Today, the building boasts most of its original charm as well as lots of historic items. Twenty-eight of the thirty-two chairs in the Senate chamber are authentic and sand-filled "spitting boxes" sit near the fireplace, indicative of the Colonial habit of chewing tobacco.

The carpet is a reproduction of the original and is decorated with patriotic symbols. After the capital was moved to Princeton and then New York, the building was used to house Federal and local courts for the city of Philadelphia during the 19th century. Like most Philadelphia historic sites, tours are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.