Bank of Florence Museum facts for kids
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Bank of Florence
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | 8502 North 30th Street, Omaha, Nebraska |
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| Built | 1856 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000130 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1969 |
The Bank of Florence was a special kind of bank located in Florence, when Nebraska was still a territory. It first opened for about three years in the 1850s. Later, in 1904, another bank used the same name and building. Today, the building where the bank used to be is a museum called the Bank of Florence Museum. It's a very old and important building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it's actually the oldest building in Omaha, Nebraska.
A Bank's Story
The town of Florence was built where an old settlement called Winter Quarters used to be. Many small buildings from that early pioneer settlement were still standing. People saw Florence as a great place to invest and quickly built up the town.
The First Bank
The Bank of Florence was built in 1856. It was known as a "wildcat bank." This meant it was a risky bank that printed its own money (called banknotes) without having enough gold or silver to back it up. People who started these banks hoped to make money quickly. Many early investors in the Bank of Florence were involved in land deals, including people who founded the nearby town of Saratoga.
However, a big financial problem called the Panic of 1857 hit the country. During this "panic," many banks failed, and people lost their money. This caused a lot of financial trouble for local townspeople and farmers in Florence. The Bank of Florence closed after only three years.
From Bank to Museum
The building reopened in 1904 as the Second Bank of Florence. Years later, in the 1980s, the building was carefully restored to look like it did when it was first built. It became an important landmark.
Today, the old bank building is a museum. The Florence Historical Foundation owns and runs it. Visitors can explore the main bank floor and see the strong vault where money was kept. They can also go upstairs to the rooms where the first bank manager lived. There's even a restored switchboard from the old Florence Telephone Company.
The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM, from May through August. It also opens for special events. If you want to visit at other times, you can arrange a tour by making an appointment.
See Also
- List of the oldest buildings in Nebraska
