Try our new Independence National Historical Park Cell Phone Audio Tour! Call 267-519-4295, press Prompt #16 for Old City Hall information. Read the press release and flyer with stops and other park sites.
Located on the corner of Chestnut and 5th Streets, Old City Hall is open year round, with hours varying by season. Visitors are admitted free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. A portion of the building serves as the security screening entrance onto Independence Square. Ranger led programs are offered. Built as the City Hall of Philadelphia, the building was used by the U. S. Supreme Court from the time the building was completed in 1791 until 1800 when the Federal Government was moved to Washington D. C.. The municipal government and courts occupied the building during the 19th century.
Did You Know?
In the summer of 1793 “ten thousand people in the streets of Philadelphia … threatened to drag Washington out of his house, and effect a Revolution in Government” but an outbreak of yellow fever dispersed the mob and saved the national government. (J Adams to T Jefferson, June 30, 1813)