The Bedwell Company
Contact · 610-399-1610
The restored First Bank rotunda with its gilded dome, colonnade and marble floor
Recently completed

First Bank of the United States

Philadelphia, PA

The 1797 landmark was closed for more than 20 years.

The 1797 national historic landmark in Independence National Historical Park reopened to visitors on July 1, 2026, the first time in more than 20 years, in time for the nation's 250th anniversary. Bedwell was the contractor for the $43 million rehabilitation.

“Deliver a project that exceeds expectations.”

Andrew Bedwell, on the 2023 contract award
Project information
Project
Rehabilitation of First Bank (NPS Solicitation No. 140P2023R0002)
Location
3rd Street between Walnut and Chestnut, Philadelphia
Owner
National Park Service, with Independence Historical Trust
Architect
John Milner Architects
Funding
$39.3 million Great American Outdoors Act; $4.5 million Independence Historical Trust
Contractor
The Bedwell Company

Scope of work

Marble and brick

Marble and brick masonry was stabilized, cleaned and repaired. The entire exterior was repointed, damaged areas were fixed, and the carved eagle over the entrance was repaired.

Rotunda and systems

The barrel-vaulted rotunda ceiling was restored beneath a central skylight with 240 cleaned panes of glass. The interior was repainted, and the air-conditioning, electrical and lighting systems were replaced and brought up to code.

Access and site

A new rear addition provides the public entrance, an elevator and ADA-compliant restrooms. A new stormwater management system filters roof drainage.

Looking up into the restored gilded dome and skylight
The restored rotunda dome and skylight
Rotunda colonnade and inscription while interior work continued below
The rotunda colonnade, with interior work still under way below
A reception in the restored rotunda
A reception in the finished rotunda
The First Bank of the United States on Third Street, decorated for the 250th anniversary

A building and its dates

1797
Three-story brick and marble bank completed.
1955
National Park Service buys the vacant building.
2002
Closed to the public.
2023
NPS selects Bedwell for the rehabilitation.
July 1, 2026
Reopens to visitors.
SourcesPhiladelphia Inquirer, June 30, 2026National Park Service news releaseNPS project page
Contact

Planning a project? Call us early.

Tell us about your building, your schedule and who needs to keep working while we build. We will respond with the right person from our team.

Phone
Office
1380 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382
Mail
P.O. Box 507, West Chester, PA 19382
Careers
We are always interested in hearing from experienced construction professionals. Send a resume to the office or call us. The Bedwell Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.