First Bank of the United States
First Bank of the United States
First Bank of the United States
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: City Center East
How to get there
- 2nd St • 4 min walk
- 5th St • 5 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
32 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
13
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
0
tinylass
Sheffield, UK5,820 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We passed by here on a wander around Philly at night. It is located on S 3rd Street and is a very grand building. It was cut off with barriers for some building rehabilitation and apparently an addition so it will be interesting to see what it looks like when that's completed.
Written January 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldTravelers34
Chicago, IL2,266 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
My wife and I visited The First Bank of the United States as it is located very close to the Wyndham Hotel where were staying on a recent trip to Philadelphia. It is the oldest bank building in America. The First Bank of the U.S. building is an excellent example of Classical/Revival-style architecture. It was designed by Philadelphia architect Samuel Blodget Jr. and was built between 1795 and 1797.
The First Bank of the United States was needed because the government had a debt from the Revolutionary War, and each state had a different form of currency. It was built while Philadelphia was still the nation's capital. Alexander Hamilton conceived of the bank to handle the colossal war debt — and to create a standard form of currency.
While this building only served as the First Bank until 1811, it did continue to be a bank after being purchased by wealthy Philadelphian Stephen Girard in 1812 for use as his private bank. It remained as such until 1926. Empty after Girard Bank closed, it was finally restored to its original state in 1976, in time for the U.S. Bicentennial.
It later became the home of the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia.
The First Bank of the United States was needed because the government had a debt from the Revolutionary War, and each state had a different form of currency. It was built while Philadelphia was still the nation's capital. Alexander Hamilton conceived of the bank to handle the colossal war debt — and to create a standard form of currency.
While this building only served as the First Bank until 1811, it did continue to be a bank after being purchased by wealthy Philadelphian Stephen Girard in 1812 for use as his private bank. It remained as such until 1926. Empty after Girard Bank closed, it was finally restored to its original state in 1976, in time for the U.S. Bicentennial.
It later became the home of the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia.
Written August 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beckster1967
Runnemede, NJ69 contributions
If your in Philly you must go the the nations first bank the portrait gallery is wonderful. And it's free.....:)
Written February 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darlene H
Waukesha, WI1,330 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
This is the First National Bank of Philadelphia. Not to be confused with the Second National Bank of Philadelphia or the Oldest National Bank of Philadelphia. I visited all of these and had to take notes as to keep them separate in my pictures. They do all have plaques in front though.
Written November 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jer b
Bristol, CT1,756 contributions
Aug 2018
The First Bank of the United States is located in the Independence National Historic Park, along with many other buildings important to our country's history. The bank was built in 1791 as a National Bank in response to the enormous debt the United States had amassed during the War for Independence. Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury at that time, was a champion for its establishment and helped get Congress to charter it. At that time, 1790-1800, Philadelphia was the capitol of the United State and one of the largest English speaking cities in the world. The bank is located between Chestnut and Walnut Streets. It is a National Historic Landmark, but, unfortunately, it is not open to the public, so we can admire it from the outside. The building is an impressive Federal style structure with a beautiful Roman temple style facade, with massive Corinthian columns and a very ornately decorated pediment. Worth a walk to for any lover of history and architecture.
Written August 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mia C
Erie, PA232 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
This bank is not open to the public, but the structure is imposing and there is an informational plaque outside. Since there aren't any tours of the inside available, it doesn't take that long to just see the outside and read the plaque. I'd recommend going just for the history, even if you can't go inside. After all, it will only take a couple of minutes!
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moravian99
Philadelphia, PA384 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I always wanted to see the inside of this building, and finally had the chance to do so. There is a fantastic collection of portraits inside the museum. Each picture has a description of the person or subject in case you do not know.
I spent about an hour here and would have spent more if they offered some more seating inside. There are plenty of benches behind the building and it is fun to sit on the marble steps in the front of the building to either rest or plan what sights you will see next.
The museum offers free admission and there are plenty of tour guides on hand in case of have any questions.
I spent about an hour here and would have spent more if they offered some more seating inside. There are plenty of benches behind the building and it is fun to sit on the marble steps in the front of the building to either rest or plan what sights you will see next.
The museum offers free admission and there are plenty of tour guides on hand in case of have any questions.
Written June 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlphaRam
Broken Arrow, OK2,912 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
It is disappointing to see the ill-repair of the First Bank of the United States. One of columns has splintered off a significant part. The porch is cordoned off and there is no admittance to this building at this time. Hopefully it is restored and can take its place amongst the historical icons of the area.
Written July 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScottyG777
Saint Paul, MN527 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
This bank has an incredibly fascinating history. It was the first "Hamiltonian" bank in the US and hopefully will someday be open for public tours.
Written September 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rockiroads
Oshawa, Canada1,309 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Great looking piece of History. The columns and work involved in building this.Part of the stop on the walking tour.
Written March 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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