Farmers Bank of Fredericksburg
Also known as: The National Bank of Fredericksburg
Why it's listed
Built in 1819-1820 at 900 Princess Anne Street, this red brick building was constructed by Robert and George Ellis for the Farmers Bank of Fredericksburg. The symmetrical 2½-story Federal Style structure has Flemish-bond brickwork, a slate roof, and a public banking entrance with fluted Doric engaged columns, contrasted with a private family entrance under a semi-elliptical fanlight. The bank occupied the front of the main floor, while cashiers and their families lived in the rear and upstairs rooms until 1920. Dabney Herndon, the first cashier, raised a family here that included Captain William Lewis Herndon, an Amazon explorer and national hero who died in the 1857 loss of his steamer after saving women and children. During the Civil War Union forces used the building as headquarters, and Lincoln spoke from its steps in April 1862. The National Bank of Fredericksburg bought it in 1865 and still operates a branch there. Drive-in additions have not altered its essential appearance.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a refined example of a Federal Style commercial building that has served almost continuously as a banking house. Its residential portion was the boyhood home of Captain William Lewis Herndon, a celebrated Navy hero. During the Civil War it served as Union headquarters, and President Lincoln addressed troops and citizens from its steps on April 22, 1862.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83003283, listed August 11, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 900 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Fredericksburg |
| Listed | August 11, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003283 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Robert and George Ellis |
| Architectural style | Federal Style |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in good condition; still used as a full-service bank branch, having been the main office of The National Bank from 1865 until 1975. Later drive-in windows and additions on the north and west sides are noted as not violating its original design. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 38.30238, -77.46070 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83003283.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15217383
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.