Last updated: October 28, 2024
Place
Double Bank
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
60 North Water St. New Bedford, MA 02740
Significance:
The Double Bank Building is a significant Greek Revival landmark in New Bedford, built in 1831 to serve two banks: Mechanics Bank for craftsmen and laborers, and Merchants Bank for wealthy merchants. Its dual-purpose design reflects the economic diversity of New Bedford’s booming whaling era, with both the working class and business elites driving the city’s prosperity. This stately structure symbolizes the interconnected roles that shaped New Bedford’s historic economy.
Designation:
National Register of Historic Places
The Double Bank Building is a piece of New Bedford’s history that highlights the city’s vibrant economic past. Built in 1835 by New England architect Russell Warren, this Greek Revival structure with its eight impressive wooden columns was designed to be as grand as the business it housed. North Water Street was known as New Bedford’s “Wall Street” in the 1800s, and the Double Bank Building was right at the heart of it, serving a city booming with trade, whaling, and industry.
The building is unique because it was home to not one, but two banks. On one side, the Mechanics Bank catered to the city’s laborers and craftsmen, while on the other, the Merchants Bank served New Bedford’s business elite. This setup wasn’t just convenient—it reflected a community built by people of all backgrounds. Both groups were essential: the craftsmen and laborers kept the industry moving, while merchants and business owners fueled the city’s growth. Their shared space in this building speaks to that connection, showing that both halves were necessary for the whole city to thrive. As the saying goes, you need both halves to make a whole!
Today, the Double Bank Building is one of the few remaining structures of its kind, making it a valuable piece of New Bedford’s architectural and social history. While you can still go inside as it operates as a business, it’s not open for visitor exploration. The building stands as a reminder of a time when the city’s prosperity depended on both hard work and opportunity for everyone, regardless of status.