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Exchange Building (Petersburg, Virginia) facts for kids

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Exchange
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property
Petersburg Exchange Building.jpg
Exchange Building, 2017
Exchange Building (Petersburg, Virginia) is located in Virginia
Exchange Building (Petersburg, Virginia)
Location in Virginia
Exchange Building (Petersburg, Virginia) is located in the United States
Exchange Building (Petersburg, Virginia)
Location in the United States
Location 15–19 W. Bank St.,
Petersburg, Virginia
Built 1841
Architectural style Greek Revival
Part of Petersburg Old Town Historic District (ID80004314)
NRHP reference No. 69000322
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
Added to NRHP June 11, 1969
Designated NHL November 11, 1971
Designated CP July 04, 1980

The Exchange Building, also known as the Merchant's Exchange Building or The Exchange, is a historic commercial building in at 15-19 West Bank Street in Petersburg, Virginia. Built in 1841, this Greek Revival style building is one of the least-altered examples of a 19th-century market hall. It now houses the Siege Museum commemorating the Siege of Petersburg. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

Description and history

Exchange Building (Petersburg, Virginia)
HABS photo of the Exchange Building

The Exchange Building is located in Petersburg's Old Town, at the northeast corner of West Bank Street and Exchange Avenue. It is a two-story, five bay by five bay, building with a hipped roof. It features a four-column Doric order portico in front, and five pilastered bays on the sides. At the building's center is a large circular domed room, the dome supported by piers and an entablature.

The Exchange was created in 1839 by a group of Petersburg businessmen as a meeting place where locally produced wares, predominantly tobacco and cotton, could be sold, and as a place to hold public auctions. The building was designed by an architect named Berrien from New York City, and was completed in 1841. It is a locally rare example of high-style Greek Revival architecture, and is one of the nation's least-altered examples of a market building. It now houses the Siege Museum, which displays artifacts and history relating to the American Civil War Siege of Petersburg.

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