Beamliving

 

Historical Sites in the Financial District 

 

The Financial District may be best known for being NYC’s business epicenter, but it also happens to be one of the most historic parts of the city. Here are 3 historic sites in FiDi that’ll show you a little bit of the neighborhood's history. 

 

ST. PAUL’S CHAPEL 

209 Broadway, New York, NY 10007 

 

Trinity Church is a historic landmark, and part of what makes it so special is one of its chapels: St. Paul’s. Built in 1766, St. Paul’s Chapel is the oldest surviving church building in all of Manhattan, having stood through wars and, most famously, remaining intact after the September 11th attacks, which granted it the nickname “The Little Chapel that Stood.” St. Paul’s Chapel is also most famous for hosting George Washington and members of Congress in 1789 for Washington’s Inauguration. Still a very active part of the Parish of Trinity Church, you can visit for a service, weekday concert, occasional lecture, or just to admire its beauty.  

 

 

 

FRAUNCES TAVERN 

54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004 

 

Both a museum and a restaurant, Fraunces Tavern is also a historic building that survived the American Revolution. Similarly to Trinity Church, Fraunces Tavern played a prominent role during that era, serving as a headquarters for George Washington and a venue for peace negotiations with the British forces during the war. A New York designated landmark, Fraunces Tavern has been on this city’s grounds since 1671, and has acted as a museum since 1907, holding collections of artifacts on its second and third floors. It remains one of the oldest buildings and restaurants in all of New York City. 

FEDERAL HALL 

26 Wall St, New York, NY 10005 

 

Most unique for its Greek-Revival architecture, Federal Hall is another historic building in the Financial District, operated as a national memorial by the National Park Service. Built in 1842, the memorial honors New York City’s first City Hall, built in 1703, that lived on the same site. The original building hosted the 1765 Stamp Act Congress and served as a meeting place for the nation's first central government under the Articles of Confederation, from 1785 to 1789. However, to straighten out Nassau Street, the building was demolished, and Federal Hall was built in its place. During the September 11th attacks, the building acted as a shelter for about 300 people but endured damage along the way. Today it remains under renovation but is open to the public as a museum, featuring several exhibitions, including the Washington Inaugural Gallery which features The George Washington Inaugural Bible, a Brass relief of Washington kneeling in prayer and more.