Last Updated on February 27, 2026
New York City is famous for landmarks, celebrities, historical events, and politicians. Two presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and Donald Trump were born here. Several others chose to retire here, including Richard Nixon, Ulysses S. Grant, Chester MacArthur, and Herbert Hoover.
There is only one president however, who lived in New York for at least part of his presidency.
George Washington and the events surrounding America’s independence are closely tied to New York City. In celebration of the birthday of our first president and the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country, I invite you to follow in the steps of George Washington during his time in this historic place.
Residing in New York
After being elected president in 1789, George Washington and his family resided at the Samuel Osgood House. Now part of the anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge, there is a plaque commemorating the location of the first presidential home.
Eventually needing larger quarters, the first president moved to the Alexander Macomb House at 39-41 Broadway.
Even though the new nation’s capital had been relocated to Philadelphia in November 1790, Washington remained a resident of New York. His Macomb house was more spacious and located further away from the bustling East River port, near Bowling Green, where George Washington would often visit while strolling Battery Park.
Bowling Green
Bowling Green is a small park located near the southern tip of Broadway. It is New York City’s oldest park and holds important historical significance dating back to 1733.
On July 9, 1776, George Washington read the Declaration of Independence at the Common (now City Hall Park) just north of Bowling Green. Soldiers of the Continental Army marched to Bowling Green and toppled the statue of King George III. It’s reported that the statue was melted down into ammunition for the army. Additionally, decorative crowns, a symbol of the British royalty adorning the tops of the fence posts were sawed off by residents and farmers.
As the American Revolutionary War ended on November 25, 1783, General George Washington marched his troops along Broadway to Bowling Green. It is here they watched the last of the British ships leave the harbor.
Today, Bowling Green remains a place where people congregate and enjoy visiting lower Manhattan, along with photo ops of the famous Wall Street Charging Bull.
George Washington took the oath to office as the country’s first president in April 1789. It was a festive time in New York City, the new nation’s capital. The event took place on the balcony of Federal Hall located at 26 Wall Street. The current Greek Revival structure with its prominent columns replaced the original building in 1842.
George Washington’s New York Legacy
Today, a statue of George Washington prominently stands in front of Federal Hall. Upon entry, visitors will find a magnificent rotunda as well as historical galleries and artifacts related to the Washington presidency and the early days of independence, including a model of the original Federal Hall. Part of the United States Parks system, the hall is free to visit by the public.
George Washington is noted to be the first person to call New York the “Empire State.” He saw New York City as an important and essential location for the success of the colonies and penned a letter to the Common Council in 1785 stating, “New York’s vitality and resources certainly make it the seat of the empire.”
Historical records indicate that in keeping with the old-world Dutch traditions, he and his wife Martha welcomed guests for formal dinners to his later home on Cherry Streeton on Thursday evenings. He also attended theater performances at the John Street Theatre, and was a regular congregant at Saint Paul’s Chapel.
Saint Paul’s located on Broadway and within a short distance to City Hall, is the chapel of Trinity Church, established in 1698. An 18th century painting of the seal of the United States hangs over the George Washington’s pew box. Built in 1766, the Chapel remains an active part of Trinity Church today. The church and nearby cemetery are open daily to the public who can view original, cut-glass chandeliers and restored organ.
New York City’s oldest church is also near the World Trade Center. Despite the horrific events and destruction on that fateful day on September 11, 2001, the chapel experienced only minor damage and became a refuge for first responders.
Washington’s Military History
George Washington’s comfortable life in New York City as the country’s first president was vastly different from the hard-fought days as a soldier and general before and during the American Revolutionary War. Historical records reveal that Washington’s first visit to New York was in 1756 as a young officer en route to Boston to meet with the British military about the impending war with France. Washington was well known to New York’s elite and spent six days in the city before continuing his journey.
After the Continental Army defeated the British in Boston in March 1776, Washington and his troops returned to New York City due to the anticipation of the British moving into New York harbor. The British began setting up encampments on Staten Island and moving ships through the Narrows, a strait of water between Brooklyn and Staten Island as they head towards the southern part of the city.
Washington and his troops positioned themselves in Brooklyn Heights, close to the East River by the current day Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street. Meanwhile, the British began advancing troops into Brooklyn. The Battle of Brooklyn or Battle of Long Island took place on August 27, 1776, along the western ridge of Brooklyn. It was the largest and one of the most devastating battles of the Revolutionary War, stretching across the neighborhoods of Gowanus, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Heights, and Fort Greene.
Today, there are historic sites throughout Brooklyn with memorials to this devastating battle. You can visit the Prison Ships Martyrs Monument in Fort Greene Park near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The Old Stone House located in Washington Park (3rd Street) in Park Slope is a restored, 1699 Vechte-Cortelyou farmhouse that was a key outpost for the Patriots. Greenwood Cemetery is a 478-acre plot of land in the Sunset Park neighborhood.
The highest point in Brooklyn is called Battle Hill. A statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of battle and goodness, stands erect with her left-hand waving at the Statue of Liberty. However, General Washington and the Continental Army were simply no match for the larger and more skilled British brigade. The battle left over 1,000 Americans killed or captured as prisoners – an unimaginable defeat for Washington.
Although he managed to return to Manhattan without capture by the British, New York City would remain under British rule for the next seven years. George Washington and his troops headed north to Harlem and eventually, New Jersey. They would not return until the British surrender in November 1783.
History of Fraunces Tavern
On December 4, 1783, Washington had a farewell dinner with his officers at Fraunces Tavern at 54 Pearl Street – an emotional occasion where George Washington tearfully said, “I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.”
Washington resigned his position as general and boarded a barge across the Hudson River. His return to private life lasted several years before his election as the president of the new republic brought him back to New York City.
Fraunces Tavern was built in 1719 as a private home for Etienne DeLancey and his family. A type of yellow brick imported from the Dutch republic was used in the construction of the establishment. In 1762, Samuel Fraunces bought the building and opened a tavern with overnight accommodations.
“The Queens Head Tavern” in honor of Queen Charlotte was the name of the new place. Samuel Fraunces had worked as a steward managing the household affairs of President Washington. The tavern changed owners through the years, but remained connected to the social and political life of an ever-changing city. The building underwent full restoration in 1907 and was dedicated on December 4, the anniversary of George Washington’s farewell address.
Four additional buildings were acquired by 1965. Fraunces Tavern is designated a New York City landmark. Nowadays you can enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner as well as craft beer or cocktails in one of their several restaurants or bars. The menu includes well-known favorites, such as oysters on a half shell, New York strip steak, slow-roasted chicken pot pie, or pan-seared organic salmon. No meal would be complete without dessert, perhaps, apple and cranberry strudel with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The museum at Fraunces Tavern houses an 8,000-piece collection featuring letters, books, writings, and artifacts from America’s colonial period. Ongoing exhibitions highlight the fight for independence as well as depicting daily life at the tavern and in New York City. You can see an illustrative history of the building, along with portrait paintings of George Washington. On display is a bed chamber created to look like tavern accommodations in the 18th century.
One special gallery, the “Long Room,” is a re-creation of the dining room where General Washington gave his farewell address. The museum is open daily and offers guided tours. A visit to Fraunces Tavern is a must-do stop when following George Washington’s footsteps.
Whether you’re a native New Yorker or a visitor to New York City, plan to explore the places that are the foundation of America’s independence.
