public history of renwick courthouse

By danae peckler

a simplified and economical Gothic Revival design."

The cost to local coffers and the tax levied for the courthouse's construction may have motivated the town's Council to pass an ordinance shortly after work was completed that enshrined its public use as something of a modern-dday community center . On September 6, 1852, of The Fredericksburg News recounted these details: “The following Resolution was offered by Mr. G.W. Eve, Resolved that the Ordinance passed on the 8th of March 1852, relating to the Court House, when it shall have been received, shall be used for the purpose of all public meetings of the citizens of the town, except for military drills, by private association, upon application therefor, being made to the Mayor; and the vote having been taken thereon, by ayes and noes it was adopted.”

For nearly 100 years, minutes from City Council meetings have reflected the building's use by Fredericksburg residents as a library, armory, firehouse, school, church, and meeting space for numerous local organizations. It also served as home to the Freedman's Court after the Civil War and as a War Service Community Camp after World War I (see appended list).

This courthouse-like many others across the country-is a powerful symbol of its community and the American form of government that generations of citizens have fought to protect. The Board of Directors at Historic Fredericksburg Foundation Inc (HFFI), our community's sole preservation advocacy organization, recently renewed its offer to help the city complete a National Register of Historic Places nomination for this publicly owned historic asset and iconic architectural gem. HFFI was pleased that the matter was discussed at the March 13 City Council meeting and hopes that it will be one of many significant strides the city takes to support the high-quality preservation treatment the Renwick Courthouse deserves.

Varied Uses of the Renwick Courthouse, 1852-11945, as noted in City Council Minutes Abstracts

2 September 1852-Courthouse to be used for all public meetings of the citizens with the exception of military drills and private operations.

3 February 1853-Northeast corner of the Courthouse to be set aside for the use of the District Court and for a library for said court.

15 December 1853-Mayor to have the middle room of the north wing of the Courthouse fitted up to hold Council sessions.

7 March 1854-Union Fire Company authorized to use the room in the south wing of the Courthouse in conjunction with the Fredericksburg Guards.

27 November 1860-Lease a room in the south end of the courthouse for use by the 2nd Battalion of Volunteers.

28 December 1861-Unoccupied rooms in the courthouse to be used by officers and soldiers of the 30th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers.

24 October 1865-Granted use of the armory room in the Courthouse for purpose of instructing white children of the town whose parents or guardians may be unable to pay tuition.

15 December 1865-Granted permission to hold Freedman's Court in a Courthouse room.

15 February 1866-Young Men's Literary Society allowed to use Courthouse hall for evening meetings.

22 August 1871-Appropriated $400 to "fit up" the south wing of the Courthouse for use of the public schools.

24 and 31 September 1872Courthouse to be open for public meetings with approval of the Mayor and with payment for gas and cleaning.

11 December 1876-Library Association authorized to use a room in the Courthouse for a library.

21 August 1885-Granted permission to use the District Courtroom for a high grade school.

1 July 1887-Shiloh Baptist Church asked to continue to occupy the courthouse for a little longer-until a new building could be procured.

21 September 1899-Overflow school started in the Courthouse for 59 white students who could not be accommodated in the regular school.

19 April 1906-Ladies of the City Mission request use of the Courthouse for a public lecture to benefit the poor.

13 May 1919-Chamber of Commerce committee asked to use rooms in the south end of the Courthouse for a War Service Community Camp. Space had previously been used as an Armory.

9 October 1934-Minutes indicate that the American Legion is using a room in the Courthouse.

10 July 1945-Permission granted for Textile Workers Union to meet in the Courthouse.

Danae Peckler chose her passion as a profession and enjoys making meaningful connections between the past and the present for the future. She has researched, documented, and assessed historic properties throughout the mid-Atlantic region for 13 years as an Architectural Historian at Dovetail Cultural Resource Group and currently serves on HFFI's Board of Directors.