Statement of Significance (as of designation - November 11, 1971):
Completed in 1841, this two story Greek Revival structure with a Doric portico fronting part of the entrance facade was built for the display of tobacco and cotton, as well as to provide a place to hold auctions and sales.

Condition:
The city of Petersburg remodeled the ground floor of the building to include a new entrance and exhibition space. No preservation architects or other preservation professionals were contacted during the planning process, the city used a low-bid contractor to undertake the remodeling. Fortunately, it is believed that the ground floor space had been previously altered early in the 20th century, so much of the historic fabric of the building remains the same, although the city refused to have a survey done of the space prior to remodeling. A jail cell door that was put in place early in the 20th century when the building served as a court was removed. Also, the wooden floors were hidden by carpet tiles that were tacked directly onto the floor. The building continues to suffer from lack of routine maintenance by the city, when repairs are made, such as stabilizing rotten supports underneath the front porch, they are done by city workers who have no experience working on historic structures or with historic materials. The wood around the windows in the rotunda has severely deteriorated, the windows are now boarded up to prevent breakage during high wind and water infiltration. Also the building is in need of new gutters and a new HVAC system. An engineering study needs to be done as many of the floors have warped and are weak.

No have been no changes indicated since the last report