Exchange Building (Petersburg, Virginia) facts for kids
|
Exchange
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Exchange Building, 2017
|
|
 Location in 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 in Petersburg, Virginia, is a very old and important building. It is also known as the Merchant's Exchange Building or The Exchange. It was built in 1841 and looks like ancient Greek temples, a style called Greek Revival. For a long time, it was a busy market where people bought and sold things. Today, it's home to the Petersburg Visitor's Center. Because it's so special, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
About the Exchange Building
.jpg)
The Exchange Building is in Petersburg's Old Town. You can find it at the corner of West Bank Street and Exchange Avenue. It is a two-story building with a sloped roof. The front has four large columns, like an ancient Greek temple. The sides have five flat columns, called pilasters. Inside, there is a big round room with a dome at the center.
History of the Building
A group of business people in Petersburg decided to build The Exchange in 1839. They wanted a central place where local goods could be sold. Things like tobacco and cotton were often traded here. It was also a place for public auctions, where items were sold to the highest bidder.
An architect named Berrien from New York City designed the building. It was finished in 1841. The Exchange Building is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. It is one of the best-preserved market buildings from the 1800s in the United States.
The Building Today
The Exchange Building used to house the Siege Museum. This museum showed items and stories about the American Civil War Siege of Petersburg. The Siege Museum closed around 2016.
Now, the first floor of the Exchange Building is home to the Petersburg Visitor's Center. This is a place where tourists can get information about the city. In September 2021, a new museum opened in the building. This museum tells the long, 400-year history of Petersburg through different exhibits.
See also
