Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

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Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House is a building in New York City built in 1902–07 by the federal government to house the duty collection operations for the Port of New York. It is located at 1 Bowling Green, near the southern tip of Manhattan, roughly on the same spot as Fort Amsterdam, the original center of the settlement of New Amsterdam, and Government House, the mansion built as an official residence for the President of the United States, but which was never occupied. The Custom House was named to commemorate Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and its first Secretary of the Treasury.

The building is now the home of the George Gustav Heye Center of the National Museum of the American Indian, as well as the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York; since 2012, it is also the home to the National Archives at New York City.

Photo 662, Oct 2010

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

Photo 656, Oct 2010

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

Four sculptures in front represent the four continents.

This one represents Europe which strikes a noble pose, her left hand supported by a book, signifying knowledge, and a globe, signifying the colonial conquests of many European countries.

Photo 656d, Oct 2010

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

Sculpture representing Asia.

A tiger is on the left, an emerging cross represents missionary work, and a grouping symbolic ov hopelessness is on the right. Asia sits on a throne, which is supported by human skulls. A Buddha statue sits in her lap, and she holds a poppy septre, representing the opium trade.

Photo 658, Oct 2010

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

Sculpture representing America.

Seated on a throne, America's right foot is on the head of the ancient Aztec god Quetzelcoatl. With a torch in hand, her left arm is pulling her cloak over an image of Labor, which is rolling a wheel of progress. An American Indian in headdress is stationed over her left arm, and sheaves of corn, symbolizing the American idea of plenty, are across America's right knee.

Photo 659, Oct 2010