Last updated: April 30, 2025
Place
View from Congress Hall
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Congress Hall
In the 1790s, senators on the second floor of Congress Hall would have a very different view from this window. As the largest city in the United States at the time, Philadelphia’s blocks were full of rowhomes and businesses, laid out upon a grid of streets between the Delaware River to the east and the Schuylkill River to the west. Just a few blocks from the busy ports of the Delaware waterfront, the area surrounding Congress Hall was full of markets, warehouses, homes, and stores, in addition to the city and state government buildings along Chestnut Street.
Looking north from this window, senators could have seen the edge of Philadelphia proper just a few blocks away, looking to the separate and more sparsely populated town of Northern Liberties, now a busy city neighborhood.
After the federal government leaves in May 1800 this building returned to municipal use. The view across the street would change dramatically during the 19th century as taller buildings filled the city blocks, dwarfing the 18th century buildings. During the 20th century, the block north of Independence Hall became the home to the Liberty Bell, which you can see in its glass chamber across the street.
Looking north from this window, senators could have seen the edge of Philadelphia proper just a few blocks away, looking to the separate and more sparsely populated town of Northern Liberties, now a busy city neighborhood.
After the federal government leaves in May 1800 this building returned to municipal use. The view across the street would change dramatically during the 19th century as taller buildings filled the city blocks, dwarfing the 18th century buildings. During the 20th century, the block north of Independence Hall became the home to the Liberty Bell, which you can see in its glass chamber across the street.