Philadelphia: Historic Site Damaged in Construction AccidentPhiladelphia: Historic Site Damaged in Construction Accident Philadelphia, PA – A construction accident at a historic site in Philadelphia has caused significant damage to the building. The accident occurred on Monday, May 8th, 2023, at the First Bank of the United States. According to authorities, a construction crew was working on a renovation project at the site when a scaffold collapsed. The scaffold fell onto the building, damaging a portion of the facade. The First Bank of the United States is a National Historic Landmark and is considered one of the most important buildings in American history. It was built in 1795 and served as the first national bank of the United States. The extent of the damage to the building is still being assessed. However, authorities say that the facade has been significantly compromised and will require extensive repairs. “This is a very unfortunate accident,” said Philadelphia Historical Commission Chairman Gregory Primus. “The First Bank of the United States is a priceless piece of American history, and we are deeply concerned about the damage that has been done.” The construction crew involved in the accident has been suspended from work pending an investigation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also investigating the accident. The Philadelphia Historical Commission is working with the building’s owner to determine the next steps in the repair process. It is expected that the repairs will take several months to complete. The First Bank of the United States is one of several historic sites in Philadelphia that have been damaged or destroyed in recent years. In 2022, fire gutted the Second Bank of the United States, and in 2019, a wall collapsed at the Betsy Ross House. These accidents have raised concerns about the preservation of Philadelphia’s historic buildings. The Philadelphia Historical Commission is working to develop new policies and procedures to help prevent future accidents.