Fraunces Tavern: The British Leave New York (1783)
Fraunces Tavern · 54 Pearl Street
In Hamilton's day
The British evacuated New York on 25 November 1783. Hamilton moved his family down from Albany and opened a law practice. On 4 December, Washington said farewell to his officers in the Long Room at Fraunces Tavern.
From 1785 to 1788 the building housed offices of the Confederation government, including the departments of Foreign Affairs, War and the Treasury.
Visiting today
Fraunces Tavern is a restaurant and museum at Pearl and Broad Streets. The building was heavily reconstructed in 1907, but the museum covers the period well.
Nearby in Hamilton's day
- The Exchange: first Supreme Court1790
The U.S. Supreme Court held its first session here at the foot of Broad Street in February 1790.
- Fort Georgeto 1790
The British fort at the island's tip, torn down in 1790. The Custom House now stands on the site.
- The Independent Journal1787
Archibald McLean's newspaper in Hanover Square printed Federalist No. 1, Hamilton's opening essay, on 27 October 1787.
- New York Tea Party1774
April 1774: patriots boarded the ship London and dumped its tea into the East River.
- Hamilton's home, 26 Broadwayto 1802
The family's last downtown house before the move to the Grange. Burr had lived at the same address in the early 1790s.
- No. 1 Broadway: British headquarters1776–83
The Kennedy mansion facing Bowling Green served as British headquarters during the occupation, home to Sir Henry Clinton, commander-in-chief from 1778 to 1782.