Custom House, Wall Street
Inspired by the Parthenon, the New York architectural firm of Town & Davis (Ithiel Town & A. J. Davis) designed a new federal Custom House for lower Manhattan in 1833. The new building opened in 1842 and replaced a former three-story bookstore that the customs department had occupied since 1816. The temple-like structure seen here faces Wall Street, with Nassau Street at left. The Museum's collection also includes a small drawing by William Wade (54.90.277) used by William Dougal to create the print. John Disturnell, credited as publisher in the lower margin, issued innumerable US maps and guides and must have intended this work to illustrate one of them.
In 1862, the building was turned over to the United States Sub-Treasury. Finally, in 1939 it became the Federal Hall National Memorial Site, the latter name a reminder of the 18th-century structure where George Washington was inaugurated as the nation's first president on April 30, 1789.
In 1862, the building was turned over to the United States Sub-Treasury. Finally, in 1939 it became the Federal Hall National Memorial Site, the latter name a reminder of the 18th-century structure where George Washington was inaugurated as the nation's first president on April 30, 1789.
Artwork Details
- Title: Custom House, Wall Street
- Etcher: William H. Dougal (American, New Haven, Connecticut 1822–1895 Jersey City, New Jersey)
- Artist: After William Wade (American, active New York, ca. 1843–52)
- Architect: Town & Davis (1829–35 and 1842–43)
- Publisher: John Disturnell (American, 1801–1877)
- Published in: New York
- Date: 1845
- Medium: Etching and engraving
- Dimensions: Image: 2 11/16 × 4 1/8 in. (6.8 × 10.5 cm)
Sheet: 5 1/4 × 7 3/16 in. (13.4 × 18.3 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Edward W. C. Arnold Collection of New York Prints, Maps and Pictures, Bequest of Edward W. C. Arnold, 1954
- Object Number: 54.90.1111
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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