The nation's oldest credit union has donated a piece of itshistory to a local museum as it makes its move into newheadquarters.

The $776 million St. Mary's Bank in Manchester, N.H., donatedthe lobby mural to the Manchester Historic Association which willthen place it on long-term loan to the American-CanadianGenealogical Society for display in its building, the organizationssaid.

The mural has been in the 105-year-old credit union's McGregorStreet lobby since that facility opened in 1970. That facility willbe demolished now that that St. Mary's Bank has moved into newquarters next door.

The work, by an unknown artist, depicts Samuel De Champlain andthe early settlers on the banks of the Merrimack River. Its text isFrench, reflecting the cultural heritage of the nation's firstcredit union, which was founded in 1908 to meet the needs of thelargely French-speaking West Side community, the 86,100-membercredit union said.

Next: Merrimack's early settlers

Here is the mural showing explorer Samuel DeChamplain and early settlers along the Merrimack River. Standing tothe right of the photo is Jeff Barraclough of the ManchesterHistoric Association.

Next: To a New Home

The frame is removed as the murual is made ready tomove to a new home on the walls of the nearby American-CanadianGenealogical Society.