24 Mar Taylor Bank Renovation Uncovers Hidden History
BERLIN, MARYLAND –MARCH 5, 2026 – Taylor Bank recently teamed up with Gillis Gilkerson for a renovation project at their historic main branch located at 24 N. Main Street in Berlin, Maryland, that uncovered an unexpected piece of hidden history. Built in 1902, the original bank building has undergone multiple renovations over the years, including an expansion to connect to the building next door at 22 N. Main Street known as the Burbage Powell building. Gillis Gilkerson also led recent renovations to the second-floor office area of this building. What seemed like run-of-the-mill updates to a few offices on the first floor quickly turned into an exciting moment of discovery when a brightly colored, hand-painted mural was uncovered on brick exposed during the demolition process.
Known as a “ghost mural”, vintage advertisements painted directly onto brick or plaster walls are remnants of the early 20th century that now preserve the stories of local historical businesses. While most ghost murals are generally faded due to exposure to the elements, the mural uncovered during the Taylor Bank renovation was in almost pristine condition, with bright white and yellow lettering complete with sharp edges, and unmistakable messaging associated with a general store, JW Williams Dry Goods Store. Investigation determined that the mural was on the exterior wall of the building next door, home of The Treasure Chest, that had been encapsulated soon after it was painted when the neighboring building was constructed in the early 1900s.
The Treasure Chest owner, Terri Sexton, said she had no idea the mural was there. “We knew the building was originally a general store. We have even found old sales ledgers in the attic detailing transactions for things like flour for a few pennies at a time, but we had no idea about the mural. It was so exciting to see it uncovered, and we are so happy that they were able to leave it exposed.”
To preserve the mural, Gillis Gilkerson Project Manager Rich Hertzog and Superintendent Jim Morris had to quickly pivot, bringing in experts to determine the best way to seal the mural. Instead of fully framing walls, as originally planned, 3-foot knee walls were built, showcasing the mural area, while allowing for consistent framing with the rest of the space. The team worked closely with bank officials every step of the way, to ensure the work was done safely and efficiently while bank and office operations were ongoing in the space.
“Almost every renovation project encounters something unexpected, especially with historic buildings, but not like this!”, said Project Manager Rich Hertzog. “This was definitely a first for me, and it means a lot that we were able to save it. Plus, it looks fantastic!”
In addition to the mural, which is now a prominent feature in two of the Taylor Bank’s offices, the Gillis Gilkerson team also worked hard to closely match existing mahogany hardwood framing details, with custom milled African Sapele for a stunning result. The hardwood accents are another way the bank has preserved the historic charm of its headquarters, which combined with crisp white walls and a colorful mural, create a stunning result.
“The 2nd phase of the renovations to the Burbage Powell building were necessary to create additional office space for our growing bank. GGI has completed several renovation projects across our historic branch and administrative offices in Berlin, which together comprise three distinct buildings. The discovery of a ghost mural that had been hidden for more than a century was both a remarkable moment and a significant challenge. GGI delivered a solution that allows us to preserve this piece of history for the next 100 years. Their professionalism, reliability, and ability to quickly identify effective solutions were critical to the success of this project, and the results speak for themselves,” commented M. Dean Lewis, Taylor Bank CEO & President.
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About Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company
Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company, the bank subsidiary of Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. (OTCQX:TYCB), founded in 1890, offers a wide range of loan, deposit, and ancillary banking services through both physical and digital delivery channels. The Company has 12 banking locations in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Calvin B. Taylor Bank Media Contact: Tori Grundman |Marketing Director | tgrundmand@taylorbank.com
24 N. Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811 | 410.641.1700 |https://www.taylorbank.com/
*Photos courtesy of Megan Powell Photography.
