First National Bank of Brewster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First National Bank of Brewster
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Front (northeast) elevation and northwest profile, 2008
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| Location | Brewster, NY |
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| Nearest city | Danbury, CT |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 87002277 |
| Added to NRHP | 1988 |
The First National Bank of Brewster building, also known as the Southeast Town Hall, is an important historical building in Brewster, New York. It's located right on Main Street (US 6), next to the train station. This brick building was built in 1886 in a style called Queen Anne. Today, it serves as offices for the Town of Southeast, which includes Brewster.
The bank itself closed its doors in 1964. In 1988, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was to recognize its well-preserved style and its important role in the village's history.
What the Building Looks Like
This one-story building is made of brick and has a rectangular shape. It stands on a strong granite base. The roof is sloped on all sides (called a hipped roof) and covered with slate tiles. It also has a decorative cap along the top.
The main part of the building has unique windows. They are shaped like half-circles and have a divider in the middle. On the north side, there's a smaller section with hexagonal slate shingles. This part features a special Palladian window, which has three sections. A chimney rises from its roof.
On the south side, there's a similar cross-gable with a round, louvered window. Because the ground slopes, there's an entrance to the basement on this side. A small addition on the west side was built later but matches the original building's style.
Inside, the walls are covered with unpainted wood panels. The ceilings are made of unpainted tongue-and-groove wood. The main banking area has a very tall, arched ceiling. It also features a fancy six-branch brass chandelier.
History of the Building
The First National Bank was officially started in 1875. This happened after Brewster and its nearby areas grew quickly following the Civil War. The bank became very successful. By 1886, it could afford to build this impressive new building. Its Queen Anne design also includes rounded windows, which were popular in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The bank was built right next to the train depot on purpose. The depot was a major source of the wealth that the bank helped to manage.
The building stayed mostly the same while the bank was there. Only a small addition was made on the west side in 1950. When the bank closed in 1964, the Town of Southeast quickly moved its offices in. Before this, the town hall was located down the street. The town's supervisor and clerk worked in the old bank building for a while. Later, a new Town Hall was built on NY 22, north of the village. However, some town departments, like parking, planning, and code enforcement, are still located in the old bank building today.
