The Union Bank, chartered in 1833, was a planters' bank in the territorial period of Florida history.

Constructed in 1841 and displaying elements of Federal and Greek Revival architecture, the building has housed a variety of business and cultural interests including the National Freedman's Bank for newly emancipated slaves during Reconstruction. It is Florida's oldest surviving bank building.

Crop failures, the Second Seminole War, and unsound banking practices led to the failure of the bank in 1843. The building reopened in 1868 as the National Freedman's Saving and Trust Company, serving emancipated slaves and refugees until 1874.

Relocated to its present site from its original location near the southwest corner of Adams Street and Park Avenue in 1971, the restored building opened in 1984 as a museum.

Now operated by Florida A&M University as a satellite facility of the Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum, the collection includes black history and slavery-related artifacts and a rare State of Florida Civil War bond.

Information provided by Florida Department of State.

www.cis.famu.edu/BlackArchives/BlackArchivesAtUnionBank/index.html