Merrimack County Bank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Merrimack County Bank
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 214 N. Main St., Concord, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | 1826 |
| Architect | Leach, John; Lowell, Guy |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000415 |
| Added to NRHP | February 28, 1980 |
The Merrimack County Bank building is a very old and important building in Concord, New Hampshire. It was built way back in 1826. This three-story brick building is a great example of the Federal style of architecture.
Over the years, this building has been home to many different groups. It started as a bank and law offices. Later, it even housed the New Hampshire Historical Society. A future United States president, Franklin Pierce, also had his law office here!
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What is the Merrimack County Bank Building?
The Merrimack County Bank building is a historic landmark located at 214 North Main Street in Concord. It's a tall, brick building with three floors. When it was first built, the ground floor was used by the Merrimack County Bank. The second floor had offices for lawyers. The top floor was a big space for public meetings.
A Look Inside: History of the Building
In 1840, the New Hampshire Historical Society took over the top floor. They used it as a library. Later, in the early 1900s, they changed the inside to display historical items.
In 1952, an insurance company bought the building. They worked to make the inside look like it did when it was first built. In the 1970s, a law firm bought the building. It has been home to many important people and groups throughout its long history. One of the most famous was Franklin Pierce, who later became the 14th President of the United States. He had his law office in this very building!
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building stands on the east side of North Main Street. It's just north of the main shopping area in downtown Concord. One special thing about its outside are its "stepped gable ends." These are the parts of the roof that look like steps on the sides.
The front of the building has five sections. These sections are marked by "blind arches." These are arch shapes in the brickwork that don't actually open up. They are just for decoration. The main entrance has a fancy wooden porch with columns, called a "portico." This porch was added in 1921 by an architect named Guy Lowell.
Why is This Building Important?
The Merrimack County Bank building is very important for a few reasons. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's recognized as a special place in American history.
It's important because it's a great example of Federal period architecture. This was a popular building style in the early days of the United States. It's also important because of its connection to famous people. Besides Franklin Pierce, a local historian named Dr. Nathaniel Bouton also worked here. He wrote an important early history book about Concord while studying in this building.
