Farmer's and Manufacturer's Bank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Farmer's and Manufacturer's Bank
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Building in 2008
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| Location | Poughkeepsie, NY |
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| Built | 1834 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001135 |
| Added to NRHP | 1982 |
The Farmer's and Manufacturer's Bank building is a historic landmark in downtown Poughkeepsie, New York. It stands proudly at the corner of Market and Cannon Streets. This building is special because it's one of only two non-residential buildings in the city that still shows off the beautiful Greek Revival architecture style. It's a cool piece of history right in the heart of Poughkeepsie!
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A Look at the Building's Design
This brick building has three main sections and two and a half floors. It first opened to the public in 1835, just one year after it was built. You can see its Greek Revival architecture style in many ways.
For example, it has a wide decorative band called a frieze. There are also flat, column-like decorations called pilasters on the first floor. Look closely, and you'll spot unique, curved windows that look like eyebrows. On the roof, there's a decorative railing called a balustrade and a small, dome-shaped tower called a cupola.
The brick walls are made even prettier with stone trim, especially around the windows. The first floor has fancy stone borders called entablatures. These borders include small block shapes, known as dentil molding, and four designs shaped like laurel wreaths.
History of the Bank Building
For much of the 1800s, this building was a very important landmark in downtown Poughkeepsie. The bank itself, Farmer's and Manufacturer's Bank, later changed its name to Empire National Bank. It then moved to a different location.
One of the people who helped start the bank, and later became its president, was Matthew Vassar. He was a very important person in Poughkeepsie. He also founded Vassar College, a famous school that still exists today.
Changes Over Time
When the building was first built, it had a front porch. However, this porch was removed in 1892. That was the only major change made to the outside of the building.
Inside, the windows were made longer. In 1953, the entire inside of the building was updated to be more modern.
A Registered Historic Place
In 1982, the Farmer's and Manufacturer's Bank building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. It was one of three bank buildings on or near Market Street to be added to this list.
Today, the building is home to Friendly Insurance, an insurance agency. The old city hall, which is just around the corner on Main Street, is the only other non-residential Greek Revival building left in Poughkeepsie.
