These last few weeks have been all about how fast I can learn, adapt, and prepare for this celebratory week ahead. On Tuesday this week I went to the preview opening of the First Bank of the US. Even though it was my day off it was a great time to see it before it actually opens to the public and take advantage of time to see other places around the park which I have not visited yet.
The First Bank of the United States (1791-1811): Proposed by Alexander Hamilton to manage war debts, issues standardized currency and stimulate the economy. It was chartered for 20 years with $10 million in capital and the US Government owned 20% of the stock. Congress let its charter expire in 1811 by a single vote, largely due to concerns over its constitutionality and the growing influence of state-chartered banks.
The Second Bank of the US (1816-1826): Chartered after the War of 1812 to manage mounting war debts and regulate rampant inflation caused by state banks for 20 years but on a much larger scale with $35 million in capital.
The First Bank Museum was directed by Joe Angemi, Jr who is Chief Curator for the US Department of State, Office of Cultural Heritage. I had an opportunity to meet with him over dinner. He is an incredibly talented and humble individual. I was impressed by his work on this display. “When the state came into its inception roughly 250 years ago, Ben Franklin, considered the first diplomat, he goes abroad, gifts are given to him,” said Joseph Angemi, senior curator with the Department of State’s Office of Cultural Heritage. “They don’t belong to him. They belong to the American people.” This display is a collection of those gifts made to us by other countries. To learn more, here’s a link: First Bank Philly
The Second Bank Museum houses the People of Independence exhibit. This exhibit includes a permanent collection of over 150 portraits of 18th and 19th century political leaders, military officers, explorers and scientists, including many by noted artist Charles Willson Peale. To learn more, follow this link: Continue reading Week #5: The big celebration week is here! It’s a Semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary.