Benjamin Tallmadge’s Leatherbound Notebook, New York, July-August 1776, Gift of Samuel Latham Mitchell Barlow, Photo courtesy of Fraunces Tavern Museum. Tallmadge was George Washington’s chief spymaster during the Revolutionary War.
One usually thinks of Washington DC as the official president’s residence, but for George Washington, Downtown New York was where he first called home and ran war operations.
This Fourth of July marked the United States 250th anniversary. DOWNTOWN Magazine invites you along for a tour of where George Washington’s presence can be felt in Downtown Manhattan. As the only president to never reside in The White House, Washington’s roots are far deeper in the Downwtown scene.
Sworn in at Federal Hall
A scene from the first inauguration, at Federal Hall. Image courtesy of The New York Historical.
On April 30th, 1789 Washington was sworn in by Robert R. Livingston, the Chancellor of New York, on the balcony of Federal Hall. Right here in NYC he became the first President to say the historic oath: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Farewell to Troops at Fraunces Tavern
Completed Restoration of Fraunces Tavern circa 1907, Photo Courtesy of Fraunces Tavern Museum
Another historical piece of the city is Fraunces Tavern. Located on Pearl Street, Washington was a frequent attendee. On November 25th, 1783, General Washington celebrated the final evacuation of British troops from U.S. soil with his men. Shortly afterwards, on December 4th, 1783 the General delivered his farewell address to his officers in the tavern’s Long Room. It was right here in Lower Manhattan that he resigned as a military officer and began the transition into presidency.
Today, visitors can step into the Tavern’s Long Room and be transported to that historic day. The dining room table is set the same as it was over 200 years ago. The only first hand account of the goodbye speech from The Memoirs of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge is on display as well.
Fraunces Tavern Museum The Long Room, Photo Courtesy of Fraunces Tavern Museum, John Bigelow Taylor
Artifacts and Architecture
New York is home to other artifacts from Washington’s life as well. Most famously, his recipe for ‘small beer’ is in the New York Public Library archives. Today, visitors can sample his original 1757 recipe in the special edition Liberty Lager, a replication created through a NYPL and TALEA Beer Co. partnership.
Finally, New York is home to Walter Franklin House. At the intersection of Cherry and Pearl St. Washington , from April 1789 to February 1790, Washington lived Downtown during his first presdiential term.
Celebrating 250 years of the United States as an independent country, New York is proud to include its city in the list of historic buildings, occasions, and monuments in honor of our nation’s first president.