Smithfield Exchange Bank

Infobox_nrhp | name =Smithfield Exchange Bank
nrhp_type =

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caption = Smithfield Exchange Bank in 2008
location= Smithfield, Rhode Island
locmapin = Rhode Island
area =
built =1822
architect=
architecture= Federal
added = April 19, 2006
governing_body = Private
refnum=06000295cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The Smithfield Exchange Bank, built in 1822, is located on Putnam Pike in Greenville, Rhode Island in the town of Smithfield, Rhode Island.

In 1733, Resolved Waterman Jr., built a tavern to get busines from travelers on this former turnpike road, and in 1822 the new owner built the Smithfield Exchange Bank an ell on the tavern. The main section of the tavern was demolished in 1936 for the construction of Route 44, and the ells were altered to stand alone and the bank was a residence until 1969. Since then it has become greatly delapitated, but was added to the National Register in 2006

The 1822 incorporatorswere Daniel Winsor (president), Asa Winsor, Stephen Steere, Elisha Steere, Richard Smith, Silas Smith, Nathan B. Sprague, Joseph Mathewson, Dexter Irons, John S. Appleby, and Reuben Mowry.

As of 2008, the Smithfield Preservation Society has plans to restore the tavern, but the town of Smithfield has threatened to condemn and demolish the building because it is perceived as an eyesore by some neighbors. [ [http://www.projo.com/ri/smithfield/content/NO_SMITHFIELD_TAVERN15_05-15-08_VSA528R_v25.349b6a3.html Thomas J. Morgan, "Historic Tavern's Future in Doubt," "Providence Journal," May 15, 2008.] ]

References and external links

* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rigenweb/article238.html History of Smithfield Bank]
* [http://www.preservation.ri.gov/pdfs_zips/news_pdfs/nr_smithfield06-05-05.pdf PreserveRI pdf on the building info]

See also

* List of Registered Historic Places in Rhode Island