Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia is best known as the site of the First Continental Congress in 1774, when delegates from the colonies met to respond to growing tensions with Britain. Built in 1770 for the Carpenters’ Company of Philadelphia, the hall served as the meeting place for Congress from Sept. 5 to Oct. 26, 1774. During that session, colonial leaders openly stated their grievances and agreed on a policy of resistance, making the building one of the key early settings in the movement toward American independence.
The two-story structure was built for a society of master craftsmen modeled after England’s guild traditions. In addition to its political importance, Carpenters’ Hall was also associated with Benjamin Franklin’s Library Company. After Congress moved elsewhere, the building continued to serve a range of public uses. During the Revolutionary War, the lower floor functioned as a hospital, while arms and equipment were stored in the basement.
In the early national period, the building was rented for additional civic purposes, including use by Secretary of War Henry Knox and, in 1791, the first Bank of the United States. Preserved and restored over time, it remains one of Philadelphia’s most important historic buildings.