The Farmers Bank of Virginia built this Petersburg branch in 1817. Its Board of Directors raised $208,000 in capital. Here, in one of the oldest surviving bank buildings in America, you can see its heavy safe which was kept in the cashier's office during banking hours and lowered through the floor to the vault below at night. It features a restored period kitchen and courtyard. The bank survived the Civil War by printing its own money but closed in 1865.
Today the Petersburg Visitor Center is housed in the restored building, owned by Preservation Virginia. A tour includes the original vault room and safe, printing press, teller windows, and other artifacts.
Open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 pm, or by appointment.
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- Family Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
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Last Updated: 08/09/2017
