Bayonne Community Museum facts for kids
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Bayonne Trust Company
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 Location in Hudson County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 229-231 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey |
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| Area | 0.9 acres (0.36 ha) |
| Built | 1912 |
| Built by | Wells & Marvin |
| Architect | Lansing C. Holden Sr. |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000693 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 8, 2006 |
The Bayonne Community Museum is a special place located in the Bergen Point area of Bayonne, New Jersey. It's in Hudson County, New Jersey, in the United States. This building used to be a bank, but now it's becoming a museum for everyone to enjoy!
Contents
History of the Bayonne Trust Building
Building a Grand Bank
The building was designed by a talented architect named Lansing C. Holden Sr. It's a great example of Beaux-Arts architecture. This style was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It often features grand, fancy designs with columns and statues.
The main builder for this project was Wells & Marvin from New York. The beautiful granite stone work was done by the George Brown Company. Construction started on May 1, 1912. The original plan was to spend $100,000, but it ended up costing $150,000. The bank officially opened its doors on November 8, 1913.
Changes in Ownership
The first bank to use the building was the Commercial Trust Company. This bank closed down in 1948. After that, the building was sold to the United Jersey Bank. Over the years, it was also owned by Summit Bank and Fleet National Bank.
In 2001, FleetBoston Financial, which had joined with Summit Bancorp, sold the building. The City of Bayonne bought it on December 19, 2001.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its special design and history, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 8, 2006. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Building Features and Changes
The building was used as a bank for many years. This helped keep its original design safe. In the 1970s, some changes were made inside. For example, new ceilings were added that covered up three beautiful stained glass windows.
In 1979, the original bronze doors were replaced. New glass and metal doors were put in their place. The building is made of two stories and covered in Vermont granite stone. It has two tall, fluted (grooved) columns on each side of the front door. Above the doorway, there are arched windows. The main entrance is under a triangular roof section called a pediment portico.
Above the door, a stone carving says "Incorporated 1902." The original granite stairs leading to the entrance are still in good shape. There's also a decorative metal railing, but it's not from the original building. Two large, shiny lamps light up each side of the entrance.
The Bayonne Community Museum Today
Becoming a Museum
Fleet Bank gave the building to the City of Bayonne in October 2002. Since then, it has been known as the Bayonne Community Museum. The plan was to open it to the public after it was fixed up and the first exhibits were ready.
A non-profit group is working to create a collection for the museum. They are gathering many different old items and donated objects. In September 2010, the museum received $240,000 from Hudson County to help with the building's repairs.
Renovation Progress
The project has cost more than the first estimate of $3.1 million. However, work is still moving forward. One important part of the work is fixing the beautiful terrazzo floor. This type of floor is made of chips of marble or other stone set in cement.
In January 2012, the Bayonne City Council approved a $175,000 contract. This money was for installing a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This system helps keep the building comfortable for visitors and protects the museum's collections.
Using the Museum Space
While the museum building is not yet open regularly to the public, it can be used for special events. Both public and private groups can arrange to use the space. This allows the community to enjoy the historic building even before it fully opens as a museum.
See also
