Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

1 Bowling Green
One of the oldest buildings belonging to the country's oldest federal agency, the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House sits in stately situ on Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan. This 1892 Beaux Arts replacement for the original custom house that burne... more

One of the oldest buildings belonging to the country's oldest federal agency, the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House sits in stately situ on Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan. This 1892 Beaux Arts replacement for the original custom house that burned down in 1814 has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972 and has been designated a landmark by both the National Historic Society and Landmarks Preservation Commission.


Drag the street view to look around 360°.
Use the arrow buttons to navigate down the street and around the neighborhood!

Financial District Description

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is located in the Financial District neighborhood of Manhattan. The financial hub of the United States, the seat of New York City government, and home to some of New York's oldest buildings, the Financial District has an illustrious history. 17th century settlers began building here, and given the many seafarers of the time, boats could be conveniently docked at one of the slips right near the settlements of wooden homes. Right nearby, in the heart of the district is Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in 1789, also the meeting site for the First Congress. New York City was both the capital of the United States and New York State at the time. The street names reflect the district's fascinating history: Fulton Street, named after Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat; Maiden Lane, originally called Magde Platje in Dutch; Beaver Street, recalling the once-significant beaver pelt trade, etc. The area today houses some great economic powerhouses, including the headquarters of major banks, the New York Stock Exchange, in addition to the World Financial Center. Contrasts are extraordinary, from old two- and three-story old brick buildings near South Street Seaport to the nearby modern mega-skyscrapers. Some of the numerous other attractions include Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington bid farewell to his troops (also, they have a museum!); the newly-landscaped City Hall Park; the Museum of the American Indian and the US Custom House at Bowling Green; Trinity Church, the first parish church in New York City and the resting place of Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton, among others; War Of 1812 strong hold Castle Clinton; the Staten Island-bound South Ferry; Battery Park; and the Federal Reserve Bank. Sadly, the biggest attraction since 9/11 has been the former World Trade Center site, although, thankfully, construction has finally filled the long-standing gouge in Lower Manhattan's face, and the stunning 9/11 Memorial and its attendant museum are welcome signs of a healing city. And, of course, soaring a symbolic 1,776 feet over the memorial is the new 1 World Trade Center!

There are no events taking place on this date.

Info

1 Bowling Green
New York, NY 10004
(212) 514-3700
Website

Editorial Rating

This Week's Hours

Daily: 8:30am-5:00pm

Other Museums Attractions

Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America

Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America is the leading center for Nordic... view

American Academy of Arts and Letters

The American Academy of Arts and Letters is an honor society of 250 architects, ... view

Skyscraper Museum

Founded in 1996, the Skyscraper Museum is a private, not-for-profit, educational... view

El Museo del Barrio

El Museo del Barrio, like many cultural institutions of its type around the worl... view

 

South Street Seaport Museum

Founded on May 22, 1967, and newly revitalized under the management of the Museu... view

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

With more than 250,000 objects, the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design... view

American Numismatic Society

The mission of the American Numismatic Society is to be the preeminent national ... view

Bowne House

The Bowne House was built in 1661 by John Bowne and is an NYC landmark. Exhibits... view