Designed by architect Lansing C. Holden Sr., the
Bayonne Trust Company building is an excellent example of
Beaux-Arts architecture. The general contractor for the building was Wells & Marvin of New York, and the granite work was done by the George Brown Company. Construction began on May 1, 1912, with a budget of $100,000, but it cost $150,000 when completed. The bank opened on November 8, 1913. The Commercial Trust Company, its first occupant, was dissolved in 1948, and the building was sold to the
United Jersey Bank. It was subsequently owned by Summit Bank and Fleet National Bank.
FleetBoston Financial, which merged with
Summit Bancorp in 2001, sold the bank building to the city on December 19, 2001. The building was added to the
National Register of Historic Places on August 8, 2006. Until its purchase by the City of Bayonne, the building had been used as a bank, which has contributed to the preservation of its architectural integrity. The bank was remodeled in the 1970s. The remodeling involved adding drop ceilings that covered up three stained glass windows. The original bronze doors were replaced with double doors of contemporary glass and bronze oxidized aluminum in 1979. The two-story Vermont granite-clad structure features paired, fluted Ionic columns flanking the front door, with segmented arch windows over the doorway. The entrance is in a pediment portico. The stone lintel over the door has the engraving "Incorporated 1902." The original four-riser granite stairs to the entrance are in good condition as is the contemporary wrought iron railing, which is not original to the building. A large gilt lamp adorns each side of the entrance. ==Museum==