The Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society celebrated the 200th birthday of the Historic Henry County Courthouse on Saturday, October 12.
Jenna Adams, Miss Martinsville-Henry County 2024, and John Phillips, Historical Society President, served cake at Blue Jeans & Bling, the Historical Society’s largest, annual fundraiser. Designed and made by Melody Clifton of Showers of Blessings, the cake contained a replica of the courthouse. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” lead by local vocalist Jake Earles.
Plantation owner George Hairston and James Anthony donated the land to build the courthouse. The first building was constructed out of hewn logs but was torn down and replaced with a two-story brick building in 1824 recalling the popular Roman Classical style. The thick walls of brick were laid in the elaborate Flemish bond pattern. In 1929 the courthouse was expanded by encasing the 1824 courthouse inside a larger building, keeping the original portico columns. The 1824 bricks can be seen in the central rooms of the first floor. The roof was extended over the portico, and stairs to the courtroom were constructed inside. Four two-story wings were added to the building.
In 1996 Henry County built a new courthouse, and the Historical Society was formed to save the old courthouse. The Henry County Board of Supervisors deeded the property to the Historical Society in 2010. The property was placed in Historic Preservation Easement with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The Historical Society then established the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center & Museum in the building. The official opening ceremony of the restored courthouse was held in 2011. A 13,000-square-foot annex was completed this year behind the old courthouse to house Dr. Mervyn King’s extensive collections of antiques.
“Stop for a moment and embrace what the old courthouse has witnessed – and then imagine what she may behold in the future,” Phillips said.
