Saturday evening [May 15] the Centreville Historic Preservation Commission hosted guests in the lobby of the historic Bibb County Bank & Trust Building to announce the beginning of a fund raising campaign for the preservation and renovation of the historic landmark.
CHPC Chairman Christian Sanford announced that Phase 1 of the fund raising effort seeks to raise sufficient funds to repair or replace the leaking roof to prevent further water damage to the interior and physical skeletal structure of the building. The last owner of the historic building donated the property to the CHPC last year.
The historic Bibb County Banking & Trust Building was completed in 1899. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (http://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp) and the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage (https://ahc.alabama.gov/alabamaregister.aspx) and one of the properties within the Centreville Historic Business District.
The building anchors the town square of the City of Centreville and remains the most significant structure on the list of 25 properties that make up the Centreville Historic Business District. It is the largest and most significant structure to be erected on the town square in the history of the town since Centreville was first incorporated in 1823.
The 3 story brick building with 3 major bays, wrought iron balconies extending from the 2nd and 3rd center bay, segmented and rounded arched windows with hood molding, arcaded corbeled parapets, bracketed pyramidal roofs on outer bays of late Victorian-era design, ushered in the gilded age of the early twentieth century accompanied by the hopes of an economic boom for Bibb County.
The CHPC is seeking donations of all sizes, from the community at large, to begin the restoration of the building. To accomplish their goal they have launched a Go Fund Me account to facilitate donations. You can make a donation by visiting the link below if you would like to contribute to the effort.
The organization is planning additional fund raising events this year which will include access to the building for persons who have never seen the buildings impressive interior. A family event is planned for the court house square later in the summer with food trucks and an entertainment venue family members can participate in.
Visit the CHPC Facebook page at this link: click here
Visit the Go Fund Me page at this link: click here
