John Jay Homestead State Historic Site

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Federal Hall chair ca. 1789. This chair is one of 26 originally made for the United States Senate Chamber at Federal Hall, formerly New York City's city hall. In 1791, when the nation's capital moved from New York City, the chairs remained the property of the city, but were left for use by the governor. John Jay used them when he became governor in 1795. Two years later, the chairs were shipped to the new state capital in Albany in error. Upon discovering the error, Jay offered to return the chairs to New York City's mayor or pay for them. The city's Common Council met and decided that he could keep the chairs until further notice. The council never contacted Jay again; four of the original Senate Chamber chairs remain at John Jay Homestead State Historic Site.

Photo: 17 of 25
Federal Hall chair ca. 1789. This chair is one of 26 originally made for the United States Senate Chamber at Federal Hall, formerly New York City's city hall. In 1791, when the nation's capital moved from New York City, the chairs remained the property of the city, but were left for use by the governor. John Jay used them when he became governor in 1795. Two years later, the chairs were shipped to the new state capital in Albany in error. Upon discovering the error, Jay offered to return the chairs to New York City's mayor or pay for them. The city's Common Council met and decided that he could keep the chairs until further notice. The council never contacted Jay again; four of the original Senate Chamber chairs remain at John Jay Homestead State Historic Site.