JACOB PERKINS BUILDING RESTORATION UPDATE

Construction is underway for the restoration of the Jacob Perkins Printing and Engraving plant purchased by the Historical Society of Old Newbury. In 2007 The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Charitable Foundation granted $200,000 toward the purchase of the historic brick building located on Fruit Street in Newburyport.

Upon restoration completion the engraving plant will serve as a museum to commemorate Jacob Perkins’ inventions, which contributed significantly to the growth of 19th century America. He influenced the early national banking industry with his invention of a coin press machine and one which produced counterfeit-proof bank notes.

Perkins developed a powerful fire fighting pump, which according to historians, may have lessened the devastation of the 1811 Newburyport fi re, had selectmen voted to purchase it. He improved the operation of Naval ships during the War of 1812. He developed a steam engine, a refrigerator and a nail-making machine.

The Historical Society of Old Newbury plans to celebrate the completion of the Perkins building in May of 2010. Soon thereafter, museum visitors can learn about several additional inventions by brilliant native son Jacob Perkins (1766-1849).

To read the complete article, see page 3: BANK NOTES: A newsletter for customers of The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank (www.newburyportbank.com/home/fiFiles/static/documents/aboutus_Newsletter.pdf)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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