Carpenters' Hall
Also known as: See Also:Independence National Historical Park
Why it's listed
Built between 1770 and 1773 by the Carpenters' Company of Philadelphia, a guild of master carpenters founded in 1724, this two-story brick hall was designed and constructed by Robert Smith. Its Greek cross plan, with pedimented pavilions projecting north and south, a central octagonal cupola and Flemish bond brickwork, is regarded as one of the finest examples of late Georgian public building architecture in the United States. The Library Company, founded by Benjamin Franklin, occupied the upper floor from 1773. The First Continental Congress met here in 1774. During the Revolutionary War the building served as a hospital for British and American troops. Later it housed the First Bank of the United States, the Customs House from 1801 to 1817, and the Second Bank of the United States. The Company regained the building in 1857 and restored it to preserve its original appearance. It is listed for its architecture and its role in the early history of the nation.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as one of the finest examples of late Georgian public building architecture in the United States, with a Greek cross plan and octagonal cupola. It served as a meeting place for the First Continental Congress in 1774, as a hospital for British and American troops, and as a temporary office for the First and Second Banks of the United States. It is also presented as a rare surviving unit of Colonial public buildings.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 70000552, listed April 15, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 310 Chestnut St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | April 15, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000552 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1770 |
| Architect / builder | Robert Smith (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1970 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The hall is open to the public and maintained by the Carpenters' Company; the first floor contains a small museum and souvenir area. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 39.94806, -75.14724 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 70000552.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1093592
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.