The Cashier’s House, a three-structure Greek Revival style complex, was
built in 1839 by Philadelphia architect William Kelly. Connected to the
Cashier’s House as part of this complex was the Carriage House and the
Old Custom House, symbolizing the mid-nineteenth century hopes for the
future of the emerging business district and the nation itself. In the
eyes of Erie’s residents, the construction of the Erie Extension Canal
that would connect the City of Erie with the Ohio River could only lead
to abundance and growth. The Erie branch of the United States Bank of
Pennsylvania, for which the Cashier’s House was built, pointed towards
Erie’s prosperous future. Built for the bank’s first and only Cashier,
Peter Benson, the Cashier’s House and Carriage House would only be used
by the bank for four years. The U.S. Bank of Pennsylvania, and
subsequently its branches, closed in the early 1840s. The Erie branch
opened in 1839 and eventually succumbed in 1843. After this, the
Cashier’s House, and its connecting Carraige House, went through a
succession of owners.
Peter Benson remained in the house from 1839 until the bank closed in
1843. The Cashier’s House was then used as a girls’ finishing school
operated by Louise and Calista Ingersoll. In 1853, the property was
briefly used as a bank until 1858 when it was converted to a boarding
house. In 1872, the Cashier’s House was sold to Attorney Samuel
Woodruff of Girard, who owned the home until 1913. The Carriage House
was sold to Edward Pelten, who used the building as a marble shop until
his death in 1904. It was then sold to Robert H. Chinnock, a blacksmith
who expanded the structure to house heavy equipment and machinery.
During this time, the Cashier’s House was being used by Ashby Printing
Company. After the company closed in 1924, the Erie Drug Company moved
into the space, remaining there until 1963. The Pennsylvania Historical
Museum Commission purchased the home in that same year, completing an
eleven-year restoration project that made the home appear as it did in
1839. The Cashier’s House and Carriage House were listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and the Historical
Society of Erie County acquired the property in 1974. The house was
refurnished and used as a museum, and eventually as storage for the
Historical Society’s expansive collections. On March 12, 2013, the
Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission transferred custody of the
Cashier’s House to the Erie Art Museum.
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Sources: Frew, David, et al. Journey Through Time: Erie’s Best Downtown Walking Guide. Erie, PA: Erie County Historical Society, 2006. |