Farmers' Bank - Petersburg, Virginia
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 37° 13.964 W 077° 24.228
18S E 286756 N 4123398
Historic former bank building now visitors center in Petersburg, Virginia.
Waymark Code: WMT4ND
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 09/25/2016
Views: 0
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Farmer's Bank
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From Preservation Virginia:
The Farmer's Bank was incorporated in 1812 and opened its Petersburg branch in 1817. The three-story Federal structure became a frequent gathering place for the Petersburg Community. The first floor of the building held the banking are with the original vault. Clerks cashed checks and made exchanges from the other side of the long counter.
In the early nineteenth century, the executive officer of the bank and his family lived on the upper floors of the bank. The rooms were well-appointed with intricately decorated mantels and doorways. A family kitchen has been reconstructed on its original site.
The bank continued to operate through the Civil War. In 1866 the General Assembly passed an act that affected all state banks and forced the Farmers' Bank to liquidate its assets. The Bank became a private residence and passed through many hands before being conveyed to Preservation Virginia in 1960. Today it is one of the few bank museums in the United States and is operated by the City of Petersburg as the Petersburg Visitor’s Center.
The former bank building has been restored to its 1820s appearance and is well maintained. The original bank vault, scales and print press are on display. The visitors center is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Saturday.
The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.