Virginia Trunk and Bag Company, Petersburg, VA

Virginia Trunk & Bag Company, Petersburg, VA

The Virginia Trunk and Bag Co. is a large and evolved manufacturing complex constructed in several phases between 1903 and c1931 as the trunk manufacturing business evolved on site. The buildings and additions most typically represent early twentieth century industrial architecture. The exteriors and interiors have a high level of integrity with most of the original details and features intact. The buildings and structures in the complex represent the trunk manufacturing process in its entirety from raw lumber to completed product.

Virginia Trunk & Bag Company, Petersburg, VA

The Virginia Trunk and Bag Co. was established in Petersburg in 1898. In the early twentieth century Petersburg claimed to be the leading trunk and valise manufacturing city in the world and the Virginia Trunk and Bag Co. was one of the largest trunk manufacturers in the city during that period. Between 1916 and 1931 the site was also the headquarters for the American Hardware Company, which was the parent company for at least six different trunk makers in Petersburg, representing the majority of trunk manufacturing in Petersburg at that time.

The Virginia Trunk and Bag Co. was found significant under Criterion A (Industry) as one of the most important properties strongly linked with the development of the huge trunk manufacturing industry in Petersburg. It is also eligible under Criterion C (Architecture) as one of the most intact and best preserved of the remaining trunk manufacturing facilities.