Federal Hall

Federal Hall in downtown Manhattan is where George Washington took the oath of office as our first President, and is the site of the first Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive Branch offices. The current structure, a Customs House, later served as part of the US Sub-Treasury. Now, the building serves as a museum and memorial to our first President and the beginnings of the United States of America.

In 2020, a special online program was launched by Federal Hall called Debate Defends Democracy, probing fundamental issues we deal with today in our American democracy. The program name was taken from artwork created by famed designer Milton Glaser, who was commissioned to verbally and visually capture the mission of Federal Hall today. His depiction of George Washington’s outstretched hand (from the statue in front of Federal Hall) was carefully adapted into a logo along with Glaser’s original typography. Both light and dark versions were created, inspired by the George Washington statue’s appearance both day and night.

Federal Hall’s identity (designed by Steff Geissbuhler) was also expanded to include a horizontal variant and icons for online use. A complete website overhaul was simultaneously executed to support Federal Hall’s New Day initiative, which endeavors to make the national memorial a continued location for exploring and improving our nation’s democracy.