Farmers' Bank (Petersburg, Virginia) Explained

Farmers' Bank
Nrhp Type:cp
Nocat:yes
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:January 18, 1972[1]
Designated Other1 Number:123-0067
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:NW corner of Bollingbrook St. and Cockade Alley, Petersburg, Virginia
Coordinates:37.2325°N -77.4042°W
Built:1817
Architecture:Federal
Added:April 13, 1972
Refnum:72001515

Farmers' Bank is the first bank museum of its kind found in Virginia.[2] Farmers' Bank was incorporated in 1812 and the Petersburg, Virginia branch opened in 1817.

History

The three-story building, built in the Federal style, was a frequent meeting place for the community. The first floor held the banking area, including the vault, while the third floor was home to the bank manager and his family.[3] The bank maintained operations through the American Civil War and closed by order of the Virginia General Assembly in 1866.[4]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It is located in the Petersburg Old Town Historic District.

Preservation

The property served various functions throughout the next hundred years, until it was acquired by Preservation Virginia in the 1960s. Preservation Virginia undertook restoration of the building, and reopened it as a museum and visitors center.

The building now houses the Petersburg Visitors Center.[5] Visitors can see a printing press and scales for weighing gold. The living quarters on the third floor has also been restored.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 19 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053819/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register_counties_cities.htm. 21 September 2013. dead.
  2. Book: Preserving Virginia 1889-1989: Centennial Pictorial. 1989. The Art Band. Virginia. 15.
  3. Web site: Farmers' Bank . Preservation Virginia . 6 July 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927045849/http://www.apva.org/FarmersBank/ . 27 September 2011 .
  4. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Farmers' Bank. Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff. January 1972. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo
  5. Web site: Friends of the historic Farmers Bank forms recently. The Progress-Index. 10 October 2015. October 6, 2013.