GENERAL POST OFFICE HAS BEEN DESIGNATED A REGISTERED NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE HISTORIC SITES ACT OF AUGUST 21, 1935. THIS SITE POSSESSES EXCEPTIONAL VALUE IN COMMEMORATING OR ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES U.S.DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 1972
IN 1800 THE BUILDING ERECTED ON THIS SITE BY SAMUEL BLODGET WAS THE SCENE OF THE FIRST THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE GIVEN IN WASHINGTON. FROM 1812 TO 1836 IT SHELTERED THE CITY POST OFFICE AND FOR PART OF THAT PERIOD THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PATENT OFFICE AND HERE AFTER THE BURNING OF THE CAPITOL THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES WAS CONVENED SEPTEMBER 19TH 1814.