Second Bank of the United States

The Second Bank of the United States was chartered to combat the debt and inflationary pressures, the U.S. Government faced from the War of 1812. President Madison signed a bill authorizing the 2nd Bank in 1816 with a charter lasting 20 years. Today the neo-classical structure houses an extraordinary Portrait Gallery. Many of the works are by Charles Wilson Peale, the leading American portrait artist of the time, capturing the magnificent visages of 18th Century war heroes and statesmen of the day. All the signers of the Declaration of Independence are here, and members of the First Constitutional Congress. George Washington's death mask is part of the Portrait Gallery collection.