Perth Amboy City Hall (est. 1717) - Perth Amboy, NJ - Oldest Public Building and City Hall In America

Perth Amboy City Hall (est. 1717) located in Perth Amboy, NJ is the oldest public building and oldest city hall in America. A public building is defined as any structure that is owned or leased, and principally used, by a governmental agency for public business or meetings. 

Perth Amboy City Hall is also the site of the first ratification of the United States Bill of Rights AND where the first African American voted. Construction of the building began in 1714 and was completed in 1717. A two-room surveyor's office was built adjacent to City Hall in 1867, which was used by the General Board of Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey. It served as the local courthouse and jail, and was also used by the Provincial Assembly until 1775. 

On March 31, 1870  it was where Thomas Mundy Peterson, the first African American, voted in an election under the15th Amendment. The building burned in a fire in 1731 and was not rebuilt until 1745.  Although it was renovated in 1826, 1872 and 2006, some of the 1717 structure still remains. The location contained court chambers, rooms for the Provincial Assembly until 1775, and was used as a schoolhouse and for community meetings. From about 1800 to 1870, City Hall Courthouse housed the public school classes. 

It is listed on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. The current structure is Victorian with a mansard roof and several new wings. A City Hall Park was also developed with a historic statue of George Washington and an exact replica of the Liberty Bell. The official address of Perth Amboy City hall is 260 High St, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861.