The Kalayaan Hall was built as the Executive Building by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison in from 1920 to 1921 during the American colonial era.

[3] Presidents Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal rarely used the Executive Building for official functions; instead using the Malacañang Palace proper.

[2] It was also in the building's largest room where Marcos formally proclaimed Martial Law over the Philippines on September 23, 1972.

[3] The Kalayaan Hall was then used as Office of the Press Secretary until 2002 when it was made the main gallery of the Presidential Museum and Library.

The building's pre-cast ornamentation and carved wooden interiors were made by sculptors Isabelo Tampinco and Graciano Nepomuceno.