National Bank Building
275 Church St.
The Naugatuck National Bank building, constructed in 1930, is an example of Neo-Classical Revival architecture. The building features a cubic form with corner quoining and consoles supporting a prominent cornice.
Initially, Naugatuck National Bank was founded in 1883. The new building replaced a 1893 structure designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, which stood next to the Town Hall.
Over time, the 1930 building housed various financial institutions, including Bank of America, which vacated the property in 2021. In 2022, the Borough of Naugatuck acquired the building for $1.1 million to retain control over its use and future development in downtown Naugatuck.
Designated as part of the Naugatuck Center Historic District on July 30, 1999.
Source: History of New Haven County, Connecticut - 1892 (p. 717)
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service (June 22, 1999) - Naugatuck Center Historic District National Register of Historic Places Inventory
Naugatuck National Bank Building (Vacant) - 9/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
National Bank Building (Vacant) - 10/2024 Photo Credits: Taylor Bennett
Naugatuck Daily News - Thu, Jul 16, 1942
The (Lost) Naugatuck National Bank
Built in 1893, The Naugatuck National Bank was the first McKim, Mead and White building in the borough. This building would set the architectural tone for all following buildings built along Church Street.
When the bank needed a larger headquarters a new building was built at 275 Church Street (presently Bank of America). In 1928 Gertrude Whittemore purchased the old bank building for use as the Children's Library. A tunnel was constructed to connect it to the main library. The building remained the Children's Library until 1964 when it, along with the old town hall, was demolished to make way for the new town hall.
Postmarked: MAR 13 (6:30 PM) 1912
Undated ("Became Children's Library - destroyed 1964)
Beginning in 1892, J.H. Whittemore undertook several projects to reorient the town around a newly defined but traditionally landscaped colonial green west of the industrial tract, eventually carving the new center into the base of the cliff.
He built civic and commercial structures that reflected the new prosperity of the community, the first of which was a bank building—designed by McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1893—that was positioned just to the south of the library, defining the eastern edge of what would become the new park-like green. The scale and placement of the bank building contributed to a classically formal streetscape along Church Street. A light-brick building with an Ionic-columned portico and strong dentil molding at the cornice, the bank was simply a Colonial Revival classic. For a time, it housed both the Naugatuck National Bank, which served commercial interests, and the Naugatuck Savings Bank, dedicated to providing home mortgages. J. H. Whittemore sat on the boards of both institutions in their formative years.
Source: Hidden In Plain Sight
Undated
McKim, Mead & White Architects - Leland M. Roth (1985)
Images of America - Naugatuck & Naugatuck Revisited Dana J. Blackwell and The Naugatuck Historical Society (November 1, 1996) Ron Gagliardi (August 25, 2004)
The interior of the National Bank building as it looked when it was the Children's Library
Inside photo of the Whittemore Children’s library - John Wiehn
c. 1960s
c. 1960s
c. 1960s
The Whittemore children’s library building was the very first stand alone children’s library in the state of Connecticut!
A unique fact that some may remember was that there was an underground tunnel from the current Whittemore library building to the children’s library.
The library staff never had to step outside if they had to go to the children’s library.
Also, the tunnel was used as an air raid shelter in the 1950s.
Excerpt from Naugatuck Daily News – Saturday, August 31, 1946
World War II - History Edition
Bank Division Ready For Service
A bank division was organized as a part of the defense council in the fall of 1941 under the direction of William G. Boies, president of the Naugatuck National Bank.
A program was prepared to be put into operation by the Naugatuck National Bank and the Naugatuck Savings Bank if emergency necessitated their services. In addition, Mr. Boies was in charge of the budget of the Council.