Frederick County Courthouse facts for kids
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Frederick County Courthouse
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Old Courthouse and Confederate monument, 2016
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 20 N. Loudoun St., Winchester, Virginia |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1840 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000690 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 5, 2001 |
The Frederick County Courthouse is a very old and important building located in Winchester, Virginia. It was built way back in 1840. A courthouse is a special building where legal cases are heard and important government records are kept.
This courthouse is a two-story building made of brick, sitting on a strong stone foundation. It was designed in the Greek Revival style, which means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. Outside, there's a special front porch area with columns, called a portico. On top of the roof, there's a small, decorative tower called a cupola.
Next to the courthouse, there is a monument dedicated to soldiers from the American Civil War. This monument has a bronze statue of a soldier on a stone base and was put there in 1916. Today, the old courthouse building is home to the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 because of its historical importance.
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A Look at the Old Courthouse
The Frederick County Courthouse is a large, rectangular building. It measures about 50 feet wide and 90 feet long. The building's design is a great example of the Greek Revival style. This style was popular in the United States in the early 1800s. It used ideas from ancient Greek buildings, like grand columns and triangular roof sections called pediments.
The front of the courthouse has a large, covered entrance area with columns. This is known as a pedimented Doric order portico. The Doric order is one of the oldest and simplest styles of Greek columns. On top of the gabled roof, you can see a charming cupola. This small, dome-like structure adds to the building's classic look.
The Confederate monument on the property is a bronze statue of a soldier. It stands on a stone base and was dedicated in 1916. This monument helps tell the story of the area's history during the Civil War.
What's Inside Today?
While the building used to be a working courthouse, it now has a new purpose. It is home to the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum. This museum is a great place to learn about the Civil War. It focuses on the important events that happened in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.
Visitors to the museum can see many artifacts and exhibits. These displays help explain what life was like during the war. You can learn about the soldiers, battles, and how the war affected people in the area. It's a chance to step back in time and understand a key part of American history.
A Place of History: National Register
The Frederick County Courthouse is recognized as a very important historical site. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The National Register is a list kept by the United States government. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
Being on this list means the courthouse is protected and its history is preserved. It is also part of the larger Winchester Historic District. This district includes many other old and significant buildings in Winchester. Together, they tell the story of the city's past.
See also
