Old Charlotte County Courthouse

Photograph

-

Patrick Henry's Red Hill

Name/Title

Old Charlotte County Courthouse

Entry/Object ID

82.116

Description

Page (cut) from a book showing a black and white picture of the old Charlotte County Courthouse. Appears as a barn-like structure comprised of board and shingles. No windows can be seen but the area in front shows evidence that a hayloft, porch, or portico once existed here. Condition of the structure: Poor. Inscriptions/Signature Marks: In pencil at top: "Old Courthouse - Built in 1788. From the portico of which Patrick Henry made his last and John Randolph his first Speech." Also features "#66" and a check mark, each in blue pencil next to this sentence.

Made/Created

Date made

1880 - 1907

Place

* Untyped Place

Charlotte County, Virginia

Notes

Material: Ink on paper; photographs

Dimensions

Width

4-1/2 in

Length

6-1/2 in

Provenance

Notes

A rare photograph of the original Charlotte Courthouse structure, possibly from the late 19th or early 20th century. It was from the steps of this building that Patrick Henry gave his last speech in what would be his last public appearance on March 4, 1799. He was elected to the state legislature as a delegate from Charlotte County on the same day. Henry said, in part, "United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs." At the end of his oration, Henry fell into the arms of bystanders and was carried, almost lifeless, into a nearby tavern. The photo was given to the PHMF by Mabel Bellwood in 1982.