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The
Cashier's House was designed by Philadelphia
architect, William Kelly, in the Greek Revival
style. In 1839 it was the residence of the
Chief Financial Officer (Peter Benson) of
the Erie branch, Second Bank of the United
States. Peter Benson was selected as Head
Cashier of the proposed bank in 1836. Benson,
his wife Elizabeth and four sons moved to
Erie from Cincinnati. |
| A
fifth son was born after the Bensons moved
to Erie. Although the Bank faltered in 1841,
the Bensons lived in the Cashier's House
until Peter's death in1843. The Second Bank
of the United States, Erie Branch is now
the home of the Erie
Art Museum. |
For
many years the Cashier's House was called
the Woodruff House,
after the Woodruff family who occupied the
home from 1872-1913. Samuel Woodruff was
a prominent lawyer in Erie County. His son
Thomas became an attorney, and his daughter
Sarah was an accomplished artist, active
in the Erie Art Club.
The
Cashier's House is a simple brick townhouse
covered in tan painted stucco. The building
is three stories high and 125 feet long.
This simple classic Greek Revival townhouse
design masks the beauty of its interior.
Ceilings embellished with egg and dart molding,
crown head scrolls and Greek key designs
over the windows and doorways add to the
feeling of elegance. Symmetry and balance
of interior elements support the Greek Revival
style. Empire style furniture including
a table and chairs, and selected early portraits
add to the luxury of the Cashier's House.
The balance of the furnishings are representative
of 19th century high-style decor. Though
not original to the house, the furniture
illustrates the type of furniture most probably
used by the Bensons and Woodruffs. |
Erie
County History Center & Cashier's
House Recent Restoration
The Cashier's House recently underwent
extensive restoration, courtesy of the
Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.
Stucco was removed and brick was strengthened,
Stucco was replaced and the building was
repainted with authentic colors determined
by extensive research and study of different
paint layers. Some window frames and panes
have been replaced.
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Interior
restoration work has provided a transformation.
Warm yellows, cool greens and pineapple
tints now greet the visitor, as he or she
tours the first floor. Although evidence
supports hand-graining all of the interior
window trim, due to fiscal realities, one
door was selected to provide a sample of
this technique which mimics richer toned,
more expensive woods. The second and third
floors were also restored. Bedrooms on the
second floor are open for visitors to view.
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