Inside the Williamsburg Art Building

We happened to be walking by the Williamsburg Art & Historical Society Building yesterday when we noticed the doors were actually open. (Evidently it’s always opened on weekends and we just never noticed before.) Located at 135 Broadway right next to the bridge, the old bank building is a beautiful example of French Second Empire Design. Built in 1867 by King & Wilcox Architects, it was converted into a gallery and theater space in 1996 by Uko Nii. Some vestiges of its former life as a bank still exist (an old teller counter that looks more like a bar, for example). According to the older gentleman working the door, they are waiting for a new fire escape before reopening the upstairs theater. We weren’t blown away by the art on display, but it’s definitely worth a visit to see the old wood paneling, columns, plastered ceiling and vaulted windows.