Walk just a few cobblestone steps from Wall St. and you'll discover The Museum of American Finance in the old Standard Oil building -- where John D. Rockefeller forged his reputation as a captain of industry. Standing guard at its door is a muscular bronze statue of a charging bull, the symbol of economic strength and robust investing.

Step into the intimate gallery and you're quickly immersed in some of the greatest and worst days of American financial history. From sobering artifacts such as a telltale strip of ticker tape saved from the crash of 1929, to inspiring exhibits celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit, the museum's fascinating and eye-opening materials work together toward one purpose: to educate visitors about the financial impact of major historical events, with a goal of helping them take charge of their own finances.