Carpenters' Hall, Philadelphia

Everyone knows about the Second Continental Congress, which signed the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall. Still, hardly anyone ever talks about the First Continental Congress, which marked a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution. It was the first time that the 13 Colonies got together in one spot in defiance of British rule.

Carpenters' Hall was completed in 1773 by the Carpenters' Company of the City and County of Philadelphia, a guild or trade association established in 1724. Architect Robert Smith designed the Hall in the Georgian style, reflecting the architectural preferences of the time.

In 1774, Carpenters' Hall hosted the First Continental Congress from September 5 to October 26. Delegates from 12 of the 13 American colonies (Georgia did not send delegates) gathered to discuss grievances against British policies and to coordinate a united response. Within these walls, key decisions were made, including drafting a unified statement of rights and grievances addressed to King George III.

Notably, Carpenters' Hall was the site of clandestine meetings, such as those between Benjamin Franklin and others, who secretly met with French contacts to discuss French support for the American Revolution.

After the First Continental Congress, Carpenters' Hall was a meeting place for various organizations and events. The Second Continental Congress briefly used it in 1775 before it moved to Independence Hall. The Hall saw multiple uses throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, including as a bank and a library.

The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on April 15, 1970. Today, Carpenters' Hall is open to the public as a historic site.