“Art Deco architecture, which originated in France, was a style that came into vogue between the World Wars and was heavily influenced by the architecture of ancient, Egypt, Greece and Rome as well as the streamlined forms of the modern, industrial age.

The First National Bank and Trust Company structure has a stepped design, with a four story, hexagonal-shaped main wing and a one story northern secondary wing. The upper three stories of each of the four facings contains four bays of one over one metal sash casement windows, with
carved stone detailing between each window bay, carved gargoyle sculptures at each façade’s corner, and additional ornamentation along the upper frieze. The front façade also contains a raised parapet inscribed with the founding date for the First National Bank and Trust and the
bank’s construction date, along with a flagpole on the horizontal portion of the parapet just behind the façade. The front entryway draws slightly from classical styles with its fluted columns, and it is set back from the street by a series of steps on Croton Avenue. The lintel above the doorway was originally inscribed with First National Bank and Trust Company but is now inscribed with Emigrant Savings Bank to reflect the current owner. The Bank’s exterior walls are made of limestone.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Downtown Ossining Historic District. It is architecturally significant as the best example of 1930s Art Deco architecture within the Village.

The original First National Bank and Trust Company Building was constructed in 1930 by the bank of the same name, the most prominent commercial bank in Ossining at the time. The company’s previous building at the site (see photo on next page), constructed circa 1850, was demolished to construct a new bank in the popular Art Deco style. The architectural firm Hoggson Brothers of New York City designed the structure, which is singular as the sole Art Deco structure within the Downtown Ossining Historic District. Following the closure of First National Bank and Trust Company, the building hosted a branch of Barclays Bank of New York for a period of time. After a number of years of vacancy, it was purchased by Emigrant Savings Bank, who now own and operate the building.” (Village of Ossining Significant Sites and Structures Guide, Page 217)

Taken with a Panasonic Lumix GX-85 and Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42 f3.5-4.6 II