Dutchess County Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dutchess County Court House
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Courthouse in 2007. Yellow ribbon banner indicates support for local U.S. servicemembers in Iraq.
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| Location | Poughkeepsie, NY |
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| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | William J. Beardsley |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Historic Resources of the City of Poughkeepsie |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001130 |
| Added to NRHP | 1982 |
The Dutchess County Courthouse is an important building in downtown Poughkeepsie, New York. It is located at 10 Market Street. This courthouse was built in 1903. It is the third courthouse to stand on this very spot.
Contents
A Look Back: Early Courthouses
The land where the courthouse stands has a long history. Two other courthouses stood here before the current one.
The First Courthouse (1720-1806)
The first courthouse was built in 1720. It was approved by the local government in 1717. This building was very important for New York's history. In 1788, Poughkeepsie was the state capital for a short time. During this period, New York debated and approved the U.S. Constitution right inside this courthouse. Sadly, a fire destroyed this building in 1806.
The Second Courthouse (1809-1902)
Three years after the fire, the state legislature provided money for a new courthouse. This second building stood for almost 100 years. It housed the courts and other businesses. For example, Matthew Vassar ran an alehouse and oyster bar in its basement. Matthew Vassar later founded Vassar College.
The Current Courthouse Building
The current Dutchess County Courthouse replaced the second building. It is a four-story building. It was designed by a local architect named William J. Beardsley. The building cost about half a million dollars to build.
Design and Features
The courthouse is built in the Classical Revival style. This style often uses elements from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It has red brick walls. The building features special windows called Palladian windows. These are found on the second and fifth-story center sections. There is also stucco decoration above these windows. The courthouse officially opened in late 1903.
Changes Over Time
Some changes were made to the building later on. These changes were overseen by Charles Cooke. He also designed the nearby offices of the Poughkeepsie Journal. The only part of the building that looks very different from the original design is its cornice. A cornice is a decorative molding along the top of a building. The courthouse has also been connected to the Poughkeepsie Trust Company building next door. This connected building now serves as the district attorney's offices.
Historical Recognition and Current Use
The Dutchess County Courthouse is recognized for its historical importance.
National Register of Historic Places
In 1982, the courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the building.
What Happens Inside Today
Today, the courthouse is still very busy. It holds judges' chambers, which are their offices. It also has clerks' offices and courtrooms. Many of the court's smaller tasks, like keeping property records, have moved. These tasks are now handled in an annex building next door. This annex was built in the 1960s.
