For immediate release:

Contact:
Kristin Aguilera
Communications Director
Museum of American Financial History
212-908-4695
kaguilera@financialhistory.org

DOWNTOWN EXHIBIT BRINGS WELLS FARGO HOME FOR HISTORIC "BORN IN NEW YORK" 150th ANNIVERSARY

Financial District, New York City - The Museum of American Financial History will unveil an exhibition commemorating the extraordinary 150-year history of Wells Fargo on March 19. The opening of "Born in New York: Wells Fargo - 150 Years of Entrepreneurial Spirit" will coincide with Wells Fargo's anniversary, which is being observed in lower Manhattan to celebrate the company's founding in New York and to show support for the city's recovery from the events of September 11.

Wells Fargo brings to New York a strong message of survival from fires, earthquakes, ship sinkings, stagecoach hold-ups, and remarkable odds since its founding on March 18, 1852 at its first office at 16 Wall Street. Today, it has a presence in all 50 states and is one of only about a dozen American companies to reach 150 years of continuous operation under its original name and still in its founding business.

"No name speaks more powerfully to the adventuresome, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of American business than Wells Fargo," said the Museum's Executive Director, Brian C. Thompson. "The milestone of the company's 150th anniversary represents more than longevity: it reflects endurance based on a commitment to quality, service, and integrity which can be traced to the company's founders. The Museum is proud to be associated with Wells Fargo and thrilled to celebrate this company's epic role in America's financial history."

"Born in New York" explores Wells Fargo's New York roots, its stagecoach brand, the multifaceted role of the Wells Fargo agent, and the day-to-day business of a historic bank and express company. A model stagecoach, gold nuggets, mining and assayers' equipment, a piece of Sutter's Mill where gold was discovered in 1848, ledger books, treasure boxes, original stock certificates and photographs illustrate Wells Fargo's colorful past and its continuing connection to New York. The exhibit also features the folding portable desk that once belonged to William Harnden, who organized express as a business in New York City in the 1830s. One of Harnden's early agents was young Henry Wells.

The exhibit opens to the public on March 19 following a full day of anniversary observances on March 18 including a customer event at Federal Hall and the ringing of today's closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange by Chairman and CEO Dick Kovacevich, who will arrive at the Exchange in a horse-drawn stagecoach.

The Museum of American Financial History, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is the museum closest to Ground Zero. It is the nation's only independent public museum dedicated to the history of growth, opportunity, and entrepreneurship in our democratic free market economy. The Museum serves members, visitors to its gallery and website, and program participants nationwide with exhibits, events, publications and scholarly resources. Educational programming promotes financial literacy and empowerment, drawing upon the Museum's unsurpassed document collection.

The Museum is open to the public Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is $2. For additional information, call 212-908-4695.

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