Activity Overview
Wells Fargo was formed in 1852 and has provided banking services since then. There are 11 Wells Fargo Museums located in their offices across the country and each museum showcases the rich history of the company and the banking industry. The museum in Charlotte also highlights the gold mining industry in North Carolina and the history of Wachovia Bank. Admission is free.
Things to Do
- The Wells Fargo company trademark is a stagecoach. Inside the Charlotte museum, your kids will have fun climbing aboard a Concord stagecoach from the 19th century. Relive the days of riding a stagecoach as you rock back and forth in the cart complete with a screen showing beautiful landscape as the view outside your window. Have your photos taken while in the stagecoach, print it, or send yourself a copy via email using the available computers.
- If you ever wondered how banking transpired back in the days without internet and mobile phones, go to the interactive telegraph machine area. Play around with the telegraph and with the Wells Fargo shipping office simulator. There's also an interactive crank phone that kids can play with.
- The museum also features the history of gold mining in North Carolina. Explore the miniature underground mine tunnel and pan for gold. Real gold nuggets and rare coins are on display too. There's also a photo area here where you can have your faces printed on bills.
Wells Fargo History Museum Insider Tips
- If you're going around Charlotte, drop by the museum for a quick stop. It's a small museum located near larger art museums but the free admission makes the trip worthwhile.
