MINERSVILLE - The First National Bank of Minersville, the oldest national bank in the county, will celebrate its 150th anniversary this week.
Sally Hoffman, who has been an employee at the bank for 30 years, said that on Friday, First National Bank will hold an anniversary celebration that will begin at 11 a.m. and will have festivities throughout the day.
Those who attend will be able to take a look at old photos and some historical artifacts, while also enjoying some cake.
According to Hoffman, the bank was granted its charter on May 11, 1864, as part of the new National Banking Acts of 1863 and 1864.
The first president of the bank was Jacob S. Lawrence, a Minersville businessman, school board member and president.
With several partners including his brother, Lawrence owned and operated a colliery in Mahanoy Plane.
The first cashier was Samuel Kauffman, who was also a member of the borough council, while the first board of directors were Richard Kear, Samuel Kauffman, Lawrence, John Witzeman, John Wadlinger, Jacob Weist and John Mohan.
"The Kear family have held a set on the board since the beginning up until 1989," Hoffman said.
In 1989, Carl Kear retired and was the last of his family to serve on the board.
The First National Bank of Minersville remained nearly unchanged until it was renovated in the late 1960s when the bank expanded into the building next door, Jimmy's Restaurant, which enlarged the lobby and added office space.
Renovations to the bank also changed the building's roof, which once had sloped sections that are now flat.
"It's a shame because you lose all that when you renovate," Hoffman said.
In August 2000, the trust and financial services department was formed, and along with that addition, the bank expanded again.
This time, it moved into the former Lee Jewelers building next door to the bank.
The new addition is home to the trust department and the loan department.