Mystic Bank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mystic Bank
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 39 Main St., Old Mystic, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1856 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000476 |
| Added to NRHP | August 8, 2014 |
The Mystic Bank is a really old and important building in the village of Old Mystic, which is part of Stonington, Connecticut. It was built way back in 1856 to be a bank. After the bank closed, the town used it as a place for meetings. Today, it holds offices. This building is a great example of a small, old-fashioned brick bank from the 1800s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, meaning it's a special landmark!
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What Does the Mystic Bank Look Like?
The old Mystic Bank building is right in the middle of Old Mystic Village. It sits on the west side of Main Street. It's a simple, one-story building made of brick. It has a pointy roof and a strong stone base.
The Front of the Building
The front of the bank has three sections, and the roof above them looks like a triangle. Each section has a rounded arch shape. The two outer sections have rectangular windows. The middle section has the main door. Stone pieces are above the windows and door, with brick filling in the rounded arches.
Inside the Old Bank
If you could go inside, you'd see that it still looks much like it did when it was a bank! The original wooden details, plaster walls, and floors are still there. You can even find the old bank vault, which is where they kept all the money safe.
A Look Back at the Mystic Bank's History
The Mystic Bank first opened in 1833. A group of local business people started it. They wanted to help the people who built ships nearby and the farmers in the countryside. The bank did very well for many years.
Building a New Home
Because the bank was so successful, it needed a bigger place. So, in 1856, this new brick building was constructed. It was a grand new home for their growing business.
Changes in Town and the Bank's Closing
Over time, the main business area of Mystic started to move south. It shifted towards the Mystic Bridge area, which is now just called Mystic. Because of this change, the Mystic Bank eventually closed its doors in 1887.
New Uses for an Old Building
Soon after the bank closed, the town of Stonington bought the building. They used it as a place for community meetings. It was also a "polling place," which is where people go to vote in elections. These uses continued until about 1960.
Later, the building found another purpose. It became home to the Indian and Colonial Research Center. This was a museum that showed off old items from Native American and colonial times. It's amazing how one building can have so many different lives!
See also
