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Visiting Congress Hall

Updated: January 18, 2023
 By Jenn H

Originally the Philadelphia County Court House, Congress Hall served as the first meeting place for the United States Congress from 1790-1800.

Directions to Congress Hall:

Located at Chestnut and 6th Street on the Independence Mall.  If you're looking at Independence Hall, the Congress Hall is the red brick building to the left.

Hours of Operation:

Daily: 9 am - 5 pm

Tours:

April - October: Tours every 20 minutes
November, December and March: Tours every 30 minutes
January - February: Self-guided Tours only

Admission:

Free! There is no tickets or admission fee to visiting Congress Hall.


Congress Hall served as the meeting location of Congress for the first decade before they moved to Washington, D.C. The House of Representatives met on the top floor and Senate on the ground floor.

  • Three new states were admitted to the Union in this building: Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
  • The Bill of Rights was ratified here.
  • Two Presidential inaugurations were held here: George Washington's second and John Adams.

About The Author

Jenn H

Jenn is a born Jersey girl that grew up “across the Ben” but has Philly in her heart and history in her blood. She went to Washington & Jefferson College in the Pittsburgh area. Yes her college mascots were two guys in white wigs! Jenn came back to Philly to get her M.A. in Museum Studies. Happily worked at the city history museum but came outside for some fresh air as a tour guide. Jenn has been part of the FTBF team since March 2011.
Updated: January 18th, 2023
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