Savings Banks Museum

In 1810 Henry Duncan launched a community self-help project that spread nation- and world-wide. He wanted to help the poverty stricken members of his parish by opening doors for them to the financial and educational institutions. He devised a scheme by which ordinary folk could save their pennies and the Ruthwell Savings Bank was born. It was a resounding success, resulting in hundreds of towns and cities wanting to form their own savings banks. By 1847 they were helping each other through their umbrella organisation called the Trustee Savings Banks Association, later known to us as simply, the TSB.

The museum is located in the very room originally built for the villagers' use and where the Reverend Duncan set up his table for business that auspicious day of May 10, 1810. The displays contain banking memorabilia, including ledgers, "home safes", coins and bank notes from many parts of the world.

In addition, we record the many other interests and achievements of Rev. Duncan; and hold much information on local history, including the world-famous runic stone, the Ruthwell Cross.

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