King William Historic Courthouse to celebrate 300th anniversary: the oldest courthouse building still in use
VENN
KING WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- King William County Historic Courthouse was established back in 1725, and will be celebrating its 300th anniversary on Saturday after making history as the oldest courthouse building still in use.
The oldest courthouse building in continuous use in the United States, according to the county website, was established in 1725. Officials will celebrate the building's three centuries worth of history from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.
King William County Courthouse in 2024. (Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources)
King William County Courthouse in 2016. (Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources)
King William County Courthouse in 1998. (Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources)
King William County Courthouse in 1996. (Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources)
King William County Courthouse in 1968. (Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources)
King William County Courthouse in 1965. (Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources)
King William County Courthouse in 1936. (Photo: Virginia Department of Historic Resources)
According to the county, of the 11 colonial court buildings in Virginia, King William County's is the "best preserved." The T-shaped building is known for its arcade, which connects the wings of the first Capitol in Williamsburg.
Its grounds are surrounded by a brick wall built in the 19th century to keep out livestock. The county added that it has followed a pattern of rural preservation within Virginia, since most of the state's early colonial courthouses were near the center of their counties and not connected to a town.
