William Strickland [1788-1854] a student of Benjamon Latrobe [1764-1820] was the first professionally trained American architect.
An American Parthenon in Philadelphia made of Pennsylvania marble and granite.
Both men were chief exponents of the Greek style that gave us our first Federal Style.
Above is the elegant plan of the building.
Detail of door trim.
The lovely entrance to the bank with semi domes and graffic Greek key decoration.
The main room is flanked by rows of huge columns. Beautiful black and white floors.
I love the fireplaces with windows above them.
Very grand proportions in what would have been offices.
The Pennsylvania blue marble was quarried in an odd way and is now showing great signs of wear.
Looking east on the portico.
The interior is painted a slightly Pepto-Bismal pink, which is nice in the entry but becomes a little boring everywhere, the building is currently used as an art gallery of 18th and 19th c portraiture. It's all displayed in a 70's sort of way that diminishes the style and grandeur of the rooms....much wasted space
and an overall lack of style in what could be a wonderful museum.
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