"The Art of Historic Preservation"
9th Annual Preservation Week 2007 Photo-Essay Competition
Third Place: Courtney Hallis, 9th Grade, Lafayette High School, Lexington
Title: The Old Courthouse
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the 1800-1900’s? Did you ever wonder what the buildings used to look like? The old buildings in Lexington can help you get the idea. This is why the old Courthouse needs to be preserved for further generations and our generations to see. Each building has its own history and artistic values, and if a building gets destroyed then people may never learn or see where this history took place. The old Courthouse has lots of history and art too.
The old Courthouse in Lexington, Kentucky was completed in 1898, and used till 1900. The Courthouse is the fifth courthouse and fourth on this site. It was built after a fire destroyed the fourth. This is a very historical and artistic place. There are statues on the lawn such as John Hunt Morgan, and John C. Breckinridge. They were put there in memory of their great accomplishments.
The Courthouse was not only a place to conduct legal activates and trials, but was a depository of records, and housed the County Clerk’ s office. Among the type of records stored would have been property deeds and mortgages, marriage and birth records. Of interesting note prior to the 1960’s black and white marriages were recorded in different ledgers, and to this day can be examined in the current County Clerk’s office locater in the Courthouse annex building on Main Street.
John Hunt Morgan was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and later moved his family to Lexington. He attended Transylvania, was in the Mexican War, and owner of a hemp factory and woolen mill. He later led Confederate troops to raid Federal installations all over Kentucky and West Virginia and much more. John C. Breckinridge was born and died in Lexington. He served as a Major of Kentucky Volunteers in the Mexican War, and elected as U. S. Senate, then served as a General in the Confederate army. There he starred in many battles. These demonstrate local history and as does the architect of the building.
The Courthouse was a place where slaves were whipped. On the north east corner lawn stood the whipping post which was established in 1847. The whipping post was to punish slaves for offenses like being on the streets after 7 p.m. Fayette County was one of the largest slave-holding counties in Kentucky. One and four residents were slaves in 1860. The slaves were actually sold on the adjoining Market Street
The Courthouse was turned into the Lexington History Museum. The museum opened in 2003 to the public after the new Courthouses were completed. It is a non-profit museum. It is there to inform and let the public see the beauty of this building. Seasonal daily tours are offered to the building and its exhibits. The building has four main galleries, reception gallery, and the original courtroom which is located on the third floor. This is an example of why preservation is needed for this building and many historical sites.
This building’s historical and artistic value needs to be preserved, sharing the history of Lexington. Allowing it to be destroyed result in the only evidence of this building being photographs. The way people built buildings then is different than the way they are built now, that people really appreciate the protecting of the courthouse. The future generation wouldn’t get to see it if destroyed. Preservation is very important to many buildings and especially this one. The stature, history of slave trade, and artistic value should be seen by everyone, including future generations. The preservation of this building could change the future by allowing people to see how important, and how much history this building has.
This essay and photograph(s) are the property of Preservation Kentucky, Inc. and Kentucky Heritage Council and that any use of the photo or essay must be approved by PK and KHC. |
