Old Shawneetown Bank hosting tours October Sundays

OLD SHAWNEETOWN -- The Gallatin County Historical Society is hosting tours of the old five-column bank building on Sundays through October.

The historic First National Bank building will be open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays through the end of October, according to GCHS Historian Christy Short.

On Sunday, Sept. 24, for the first time in many years, the historical society hosted the first tour of the bank building.

Short said she, along with many other volunteers, have done a lot of cleaning, dusting and safety checks for the self-guided tours.

"There is no restoration or reconstruction work going on, just general cleaning," Short said. "The visitor will be able to take pictures and walk through the old bank on the second, third and fourth floors."

Those touring the bank must sign a release of liability before entering the building.

Short also said she has given a tour to State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, whose office is recording video of local southern Illinois attractions as part of an effort to promote tourism in the region.

This Sunday, Oct. 8, GCHS will host a book signing. Cynthia Raleigh's book, "Drawing on the Past," is the featured work.

For more information, contact Short at (618) 269-3531.<object id="Extra Pictures" type="x-im/image" uuid="F0D4F75D-2C3A-4825-A4CC-5C2B5278ABFF"><links><link rel="self" type="x-im/image" uri="im://image/F0D4F75D-2C3A-4825-A4CC-5C2B5278ABFF.jpg" uuid="F0D4F75D-2C3A-4825-A4CC-5C2B5278ABFF"><data><title><![CDATA[