First National Bank Museum, Columbia

About First National Bank Museum

The First National Bank Museum in Columbia offers guided tours of one of the few banks still preserved in its original setting in the United States. Chartered in 1864, the First National Bank played a key role in Columbia's growth and development. Visitors explore the front two rooms of an 1814 Federal-style townhouse, where original details from the bank's working years remain intact. The walnut paying and receiving teller cages, the President's office furnishings, and the massive walk-in vault showcase nineteenth-century banking. The museum displays an unusual original check canceller made from a tree stump and a specially designed hammer. A notable feature is a bullet hole marking the only known attempted robbery at the bank, which was foiled. The tour suits families, school groups, and homeschool co-ops interested in local history. A visit to the museum pairs well with exploring Columbia's charming rivertown shops, galleries, and restaurants.